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From: Natalie Wiest <wiestn_at_tamug.edu>
subject: [Paddlewise] A new twist on PFD-quest
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:04:51 -0500
I must say I had an "ohmygod" kind of reaction to the note about 110
kids floating in their PFDs in the Irish Sea.  Sure glad the rescue
turned out well; there would have been huge consternation here had the
same thing happened, but of course in the Gulf of Mexico the water
temperature is now hovering around 85F, so hypothermia wouldn't be a
problem.



So here's my current PFD challenge:  it has to be purple (color of
course if VERY important...), it can be long because it will match my
purple canoe so don't have to worry about cockpit/PFD conflict, and it
should be relatively cool for warm weather paddling, but with extra
length and shell can add warmth for the occasional cool weather paddle.
I went to the local REI store and tried on several high end jackets,
including the MTI Mona Lisa which I thought would be a sure thing.
Length of the jacket isn't a problem in the canoe but, being of the
short persuasion (5'1" when at my full height), and a slight rotundity
but not enough to interfere, I like padded straps (for carrying a kayak
on my shoulder, you know it's going to happen), and I insist on a full
swing of my arms.  The corner of the Mona Lisa closest to the arm stuck
out in just the wrong place, was sure to cause abrasion on a long trip
although its other desirable attribute (aside from the color) was the
nice big pockets. For canoeing in particular I use a lot of rotation but
also one arm is sure to be the whole way across the front of me, so a
lot of bulk in front is a problem.



Does anyone out there have any suggestions?  My usual kayaking vest is
the Kokatat MsFit so I'm not without a PFD, just in need of a better one
to fit canoeing.



I'm looking for a WW helmet too, with a "bill" or visor on it.  I like
the "Daffy" in the NRS catalog by appearance.  Of course, purple would
be nice but red will do if I have to go that route.  Any recommendations
there?



Hey, we need a little diversion from rudders.  And I had a lovely canoe
paddle the other day on 2 favorite local spots, Armand Bayou and Clear
Creek.  Ah the serenity of it all.  Now back to work.



Natalie Wiest

Texas A&M University at Galveston, USA
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From: Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A new twist on PFD-quest
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:30:18 +0000
Natalie,

As far as helmets go, check out the WRSI ones. I love mine and believe you can get them in purple. Best fitting helmet I've ever had. 

Steve Holtzman
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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From: James Farrelly <JFarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A new twist on PFD-quest
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:48:53 -0400
On Jul 10, 2007, at 11:04 AM, Natalie Wiest wrote:

>
>
>
> So here's my current PFD challenge:  it has to be purple (color of
> course if VERY important...),
>
> I'm looking for a WW helmet too, with a "bill" or visor on it.  I like
> the "Daffy" in the NRS catalog by appearance.  Of course, purple would
> be nice but red will do if I have to go that route.  Any  
> recommendations
> there?
>
>
>
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=1044

I bought the Astral Abba for my wife and daughter and they like the  
fit. Its purple if you squint a bit. Men dont do colors well.

NRS also sells the helmet you like. I like the above water function  
of a billed ww helmet but I was always concerned that below water the  
current would rotate the helmet away from your forehead and expose  
your skull to rocks. Color me a worrier I guess. Most of my class V  
buddies wear billed helmets and they arent dead. At least not socially.


Jim et al
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From: Geoff Jennings <Geoff_at_texaskilonewton.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] A new twist on PFD-quest
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:22:56 -0700
Jim wrote: 
>>
NRS also sells the helmet you like. I like the above water function  
of a billed ww helmet but I was always concerned that below water the  
current would rotate the helmet away from your forehead and expose  
your skull to rocks. Color me a worrier I guess. Most of my class V  
buddies wear billed helmets and they arent dead. At least not socially.
>>


I think a properly fitted helmet should stay in place anyway, and I _know_
that the bill can help protect your face, the bill hits rocks before your
face.  

Geoff 
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From: Geoff Jennings <Geoff_at_texaskilonewton.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] A new twist on PFD-quest
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:43:15 -0700
I'm looking for a WW helmet too, with a "bill" or visor on it.  I like
the "Daffy" in the NRS catalog by appearance.  Of course, purple would
be nice but red will do if I have to go that route.  Any recommendations
there?
>>

I have a Daffy (actually, my second one) and I love it. It's one of the few
composite helmets to have sizes, and the XL fits my oversized noggin just
great.   The bill is a bit smaller than I'd really like.  It helps in rain,
but doesn't offer a ton of sun protection.  

You might want to also consider the Predator Lee.  Plastic, but solid and
less expensive, with a fuller bill. 

http://www.predatorhelmets.com/whitewater_am.html


Geoff 
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From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A new twist on PFD-quest
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:50:45 -0700
snip
> You might want to also consider the Predator Lee.  Plastic, but solid and
> less expensive, with a fuller bill.
>
> http://www.predatorhelmets.com/whitewater_am.html
>
>
> Geoff

Here's examples of one of the Gath ones I'm ordering (with visor) when I get 
a carbon kayak finished:

http://www.gathsports.com/hatbenef.shtml

DL 
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From: Mark Sanders <sandmarks_at_ca.rr.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Might wanna rethink that helmet choice
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:13:38 -0700
Gath Helmets, named after the home of Goliath?

Wasn't he killed by a rock???

Seems a bit ironic!

-----Original Message-----

Behalf Of Doug Lloyd


Here's examples of one of the Gath ones I'm ordering (with visor) when I get
a carbon kayak finished:

http://www.gathsports.com/hatbenef.shtml

DL
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From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Might wanna rethink that helmet choice
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:55:09 -0700
Better than those "Goth" black Predator helmets Geoff was recommending. Then 
again, those of you with necrotic obsessions might fight right in with black 
colored helmets with your black wet suits and black spray skirts and/or 
tuliqs (and black SOF's for some of you who beckon Euro-bladed paddlers to 
the dark side). Hey, do SOF paddlers even wear helmets? What kind? 
Wasted-out Walrus skulls? Modified expired Caribou pelvis bone? Enquiring 
minds want to know. And me, I just wanted something cool looking, but no 
Mark, you just had to go make fun of me! Always making fun of people. I just 
don't understand.  :-)

DL



> Gath Helmets, named after the home of Goliath?
>
> Wasn't he killed by a rock???
>
> Seems a bit ironic!
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> Behalf Of Doug Lloyd
>
>
> Here's examples of one of the Gath ones I'm ordering (with visor) when I 
> get
> a carbon kayak finished:
>
> http://www.gathsports.com/hatbenef.shtml
>
> DL
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From: John H <seajohnkayak_at_yahoo.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Might wanna rethink that helmet choice
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 07:32:31 -0700 (PDT)
i want pictures of you wearing your helmets. grin 
  j
  sr, ca

Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca> wrote:
  Better than those "Goth" black Predator helmets Geoff was recommending. Then 
again, those of you with necrotic obsessions might fight right in with black 
colored helmets with your black wet suits and black spray skirts and/or 
tuliqs (and black SOF's for some of you who beckon Euro-bladed paddlers to 
the dark side). Hey, do SOF paddlers even wear helmets? What kind? 
Wasted-out Walrus skulls? Modified expired Caribou pelvis bone? Enquiring 
minds want to know. And me, I just wanted something cool looking, but no 
Mark, you just had to go make fun of me! Always making fun of people. I just 
don't understand. :-)

DL



> Gath Helmets, named after the home of Goliath?
>
> Wasn't he killed by a rock???
>
> Seems a bit ironic!
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> Behalf Of Doug Lloyd
>
>
> Here's examples of one of the Gath ones I'm ordering (with visor) when I 
> get
> a carbon kayak finished:
>
> http://www.gathsports.com/hatbenef.shtml
>
> DL


 
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From: Tord Eriksson <tord_at_tord.nu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] A new twist on PFD-quest
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:24:04 +0200
On Tuesday 10 July 2007 17:07, Natalie wrote:
> So here's my current PFD challenge:  it has to be purple (color of
> course if VERY important...),

To me it sounds like one of those half inflatable, half conventional,
PFDs that now are available - but if they are purple, I have no idea!

Tord

PS Here in Sweden the weather is rainy, windy and cold this 
summer - water temperatures have dropped, after a brilliant spring!
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