Vests

The question often arises, what is the optimal vest for wakeboarding and water sports. A few basic rules can shed a lot of light on this.

Perhaps the most important piece of information is that although wakeboarding vests are often referred to as “life jackets”, this is actually a misnomer. In fact, the vests used for wakeboarding and most water sports are not life jackets, but fall into the category of “buoyancy aids” (type A below).

They are made of a flexible neoprene material with a thin sponge layer (the thickness of the sponge layer can vary to a minimum) that fits snugly around the body. It moves only minimally even in the event of a heavy fall. It is more flexible in wet use and can mould itself to the wearer's body shape. Modern versions are made with a large armhole, typically with a front-end zip, without straps or buckles. There are also versions with protectors for more protection against extreme impacts and falls.

Below are the types of water sports or lifejacket types that can be distinguished from each other in terms of safety functionality.

Wakeboard, water sports vest or swimming vests. Their functionality is primarily based on the fact that they should not restrict the wearer's freedom of movement, which is a decisive factor in their construction. In order not to restrict extreme movements, the vest must be slim and flexible. For this basic criterion, these vests do not have the necessary volume to qualify as life jackets. They help the wearer to stay afloat while the equipment is in the water and the athlete is engaged in non-swimming movements with his limbs.

Advantages.

Disadvantages: low buoyancy, little buoyancy, less protection, not accepted by authorities, can be submerged.

Not recommended for adults who can swim!!!

USCGA certified life jacket. Although other standards are used in the EU, this is perhaps the most classically recognised standard among water sports enthusiasts. It is USCGA (U.S. Coast Guard Approved). These vests, being fatter, are designed to be thicker with sponges in them to produce more buoyancy. They're better maintained in the water, so they're safer. To further enhance, they have multiple (typically up to 2-4) belly straps, which, in addition to the zipper, are buckled and tensioned to ensure they don't fall off the wearer. Popular with sailors and jet skiers.

Advantages.

Disadvantages: more uncomfortable due to its thickness, heavier, slower to dry, inflexible.

Children's and junior vests fall into this category and we safely recommend them! Recommended for weak swimmers and children!

A life jacket that is not often seen by the water sports enthusiast. This type of vest is typically hidden in the life boxes of large boats, lifeboats. It is specially designed to keep the wearer safe even if they fall into the water and may be unable to help themselves.

This is made possible by its special construction, which makes it largely unsuitable for any meaningful water sports. That is, it looks to consist of very thick abdominal/chest sponges and a larger collar. There's almost nothing on the back, just material to hold the wearer around for secure fastening. The way it works is that if a passed out, unconscious body falls into the water, or the wearer can no longer swim, the chest sponge floats to the surface, turning the wearer onto their back, while the collar floats the wearer with the head supported from below. The distressed person thus floats on his back in the water, while face up, safe from drowning.

Such a vest may save your life in a water accident, but it is not really suitable for water sports.

Advantages: safe, life-saving

Disadvantages: Uncomfortable, unsuitable for sports.

Baby vests with this construction are only available in mini size!