The helmets thread and my recent trip to Maui once again gets me thinking about kiteboarding and helmets.
Here in the Bay Area I've, for some tme now, taken to wearing a helmet when I ride as several of the spots I launch from have very small launch zones surrounded by rocks. I've never had an incident or close call, but it makes sense to do so.
This last week I was on Maui and managed to score three great sessions during my week-long stay. The first two sessions I wore my helmet, but on the third I didn't. Why would I do that when I'm kiting in an area with potentially gusty big winds, rocks and reefs? Good question. Well, for one, the weather was great - warm air and warm water and after my last session here being in a 3/2 fullsuit with a rashguard inside and out with booties, it felt liberating to kite in only a rash guard and shorts. As for the helmet, it's true - you do forget it's on after a few minutes.
So, again, besides the fact that I wanted to kite in the warmth with as little as possible on, why would I forsake the helmet? I think it's because basically no one amateur or pro wears helmets on Maui, and maybe I started to feel like maybe I wouldn't either. Wouldn't want to look like a kook would I? Stupid, really.
So it's continually perpetuated at world-class kiting spots and in the videos and mags that people who "really" know what they are doing (pros and amateurs) don't wear helmets and that they just don't look cool.
So, let's hear it, who wears a helmet?