Regards,

Al.

Oh, even cooler- we could wear armor like knights and carry javelins and ram each other head-on.

Okay, having fun here. Refer back to the first sentnce- I wouldn’t make fun of the guy wearing one, and I mean that. I do just hope it doesn’t come to regulations and making people do it. I have a very real and scary vision of park rangers handing out tickets for not wearing your surf helmet. I guess the manufacturer would love that.

Samples of some thoughts rolling around my noggin.
1) Waterproof speakers in the helmet with standard wiring to an armband watertight ipod pocket. Rock-n-roll dude!
2) What is 3 mm foam going to get you? How about gel pack or some better cushion material from football helmets?
3) Change the shell to carbon fiber to stop rocks and boards from hurting your head.
4) Make a BATMAN utility belt option for the thing.
5) Change the colors to something that looks like Superman sherbert puddles on a sidewalk.
6) Add a loop on the back for a sunglass straps so you don’t loose your specs.
7) Make vest in either a wetsuit or drysuit.

– email me to find out about my ideas on how to add whiplash protection.
steve

This modular helmet is a GREAT idea. By being made of separate pieces attached to a hood, it really would fit the shape and size of he user’s head. The hood would expand as much as needed and the hard shell would still afford some protection from crashes. A good fit is fundamental when ducking under a wave, otherwise the helmet gets all full of water (heavy and cold). That is why existing helmets are not good for bodysurfing.

PLUS I am bald and live in a VERY sunny place. I appreciate my wetsuit as much for protection from sun as from cold, so I have always missed having a hat of some sort (neoprene, I guess). With the hat I would look as silly (if that mattered) but would not have the added protection.

I am not as worried about hitting the ground while riding a wave (wether on sand or rocks) as I am about being hit or slashed by a surfer’s board/fin or hitting one with my head while riding a wave (not a rare event at all). Still, I once hit a rock while ducking under a shallow wave, and actually had a huge concussion. Hitting the ground head first during a wipe-out would probably mean a broken neck (death) whether with or without a helmet. But it doesn’t/shouldn’t happen (the idea is to roll sideways: break an arm, if need be, but not your neck/back).

Also, it would add a little buoyancy, which would be good, for safety reasons in case of fainting (plus making you more visible if needing to be rescued)

I agree with Peter Ha about the bill. Plus it would give some extra sun protection.

As to Ora mentioning his friend’s yellow helmet: I’d prefer everyone to see me, but I would go for a more discreet white (also the sun, again). Normally, my head is all other surfers can see, so it would give me extra safety (people would see me coming, and I would look more intimidating to jerks).

In the end, it is all about getting used to seeing things used by experts. Otherwise, nobody would have started surfing, using wetsuits, etc. in the first place. It is just a matter of time.If you surf well people will respect you, with or without a helmet.

Regards,

Al.