Helmet - Yes/no?

[scrisp]

Just wondering how many people wear a helmet when riding?

I'm thinking of getting one, mostly so I can stick my GoPro camera on it. I have a sling that goes on my head to hold it, but it digs into me and I'm not really sure that I trust it to stay on. Plus, I ride a bit more aggressive with my XP than the SPX, as far as big waves and such. Oh, and then there is always the issue with getting attacked by swans early in the season. lol

I've looked at some helmets, but none seem to be made to be in the water, they don't seem like they would dry in a short time. Anybody have any suggestions where to buy?

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

One year, there was a mallard duck that used to follow my boat and dive-bomb into the water just ahead of the bow as I was accelerating out of the marina's no wake zone. I didn't feel any need for a helmet.

I think the racers are required to wear helmets, by most rules.

 

[LouDoo]

Unless you're racing and it's required I don't see a need. In fact I can see wearing a helmet could cause severe neck damage, think about hitting the water wearing a helmet doing 50 plus MPH. I would consider mounting your GoPro to the ski not to your body.

Lou

 

[Matt Braley]

Definitely true with a motorcycle style. Maybe something like this..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adult-S-PRO...931?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339ee34a5b

 

[racerxxx]

By me, guys wear them in the surf when jumping waves. Especially the stand up guys. Jettribe used to carry one. I still would like to have one I think, it's nice to see the look around views while riding with a GP mounted to it. That is what I like about when I'm filming on my trike. I mount my camera right to the ski, I also use a safety strap and the floatie back door.

Not cheap at $380

http://store.jettribe.com/jtg-11451-pwc-helmet-carbon-7/

 

[Spimothy Leary]

i have two risers in my little circle that wear helmets and they are fast (like 85+ fast) none of the wave jumpers wear one. IMO it's overkill.

 

[ricardo1]

For racing I say use one, if not I would use one(this coming from someone that has raced dirt bikes, 4 wheelers and sports bikes at some point).

 

[scrisp]

By me, guys wear them in the surf when jumping waves. Especially the stand up guys. Jettribe used to carry one. I still would like to have one I think, it's nice to see the look around views while riding with a GP mounted to it. That is what I like about when I'm filming on my trike. I mount my camera right to the ski, I also use a safety strap and the floatie back door.

That's basically what I'm wanting to do, mount it to my helmet to get a different view. I have the suction cup mount that I use with a tether, just in case it gets too rough for it. I've only had it come loose once and that was when I mounted it too low and made a quick turn, the water hit it and pulled it off. I use the floatie door too, it won't float with the suction cup mount, but it makes it easier to see if it comes loose. The tether has been a lifesaver. I figure that if I mounted it to a helmet, it might smooth it out a bit too, it can get really jerky when mounted to the hull from all of the vibration.

I might end up going with just one of the cheap helmets and put a permanent mount on it for the camera.

Here's a video that I made from my SPX in 2013. I was trying to do some slow motion and add music, plus I wanted to see how the 2.7k resolution was. I have since learned to angle the camera, that way of water gets on the lens, it will roll off. A spot got on while I shot this and would not go away. lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5DCAMtwurI

 

[hfgreg]

By me, guys wear them in the surf when jumping waves. Especially the stand up guys. Jettribe used to carry one. I still would like to have one I think, it's nice to see the look around views while riding with a GP mounted to it. That is what I like about when I'm filming on my trike. I mount my camera right to the ski, I also use a safety strap and the floatie back door.

Not cheap at $380

http://store.jettribe.com/jtg-11451-pwc-helmet-carbon-7/

PWC Muscle sees these as well but they are actually all sold out right now. No word on when they will be back in.

 

[scrisp]

One year, there was a mallard duck that used to follow my boat and dive-bomb into the water just ahead of the bow as I was accelerating out of the marina's no wake zone. I didn't feel any need for a helmet.

I think the racers are required to wear helmets, by most rules.

I got attacked by an adult Trumpeter Swan in 2013. That little ****er hit me from behind and I have a big scar on my leg from the claws on the tip of it's feet. I didn't know they had claws!! lol I didn't know that it cut me until I got through the canal, the footwells were full of blood. I didn't see it coming until it was about 5 feet from me in the air, then it hit me and landed on the hood. I grabbed it by the neck and tried to shove it off me, but that was like pushing a rope. I eventually shoved it over the hood, hit the gas, and ran over it, but it didn't do anything much to it. I'm an animal loving person, but I really wish it had sucked its head into the grate, that thing is a PITA to everyone who has to go through the canal that connects the two lakes by my house. It chased me again last year, but no wake zone be damned, I wasn't waiting around to be hit again. The Natural Resources officer said that if it attacks me again, to whip around and plow it under. Apparently, they are in invasive species that dominate the area and are destroying habitat for other waterfowl. It keeps the DNR from the wrath of the groups like PETA, who think it;s okay for swans to hurt humans. I guy around Chicago (I think) was attacked on a kayak and drowned right after my incident here.