Inflatable Vests for Big Wave Surfers
Just like surfboard leashes, all inflatable rescue vests can (and will) fail. The danger of a vest giving a false sense of security is very real. All of the manufacturers of these big wave inflation vest stress the crucial importance of gaining ocean safety knowledge, surfing ability, mental and physical training first, before buying a vest. It is just a back up to your training, only to be deployed when all else fails.
UP vest by Blue Soup
The UP vest is the first European built inflation vest for big wave surfers. Tried and tested in the world’s biggest waves at Nazaré.
The Upvest is clearly inspired by the Airlift vest, as it has similar features.
However, the UP vest takes this a step further with surprising new options:
Lightweight, 4-way stretch material.
Add your logo: print custom design.
Choose the thread for your C02 canister: 1/2”(Europe) or 3/8”(USA)
Details:
Price: $510
Where to buy: Online
How to buy: Order from webshop
Available online: Yes
C02 included: No (order here)
Shipping: Yes. World wide.
RELATED PRODUCTS: CO2 CARTRIDGES
Highline Pro Airlift Vest by Quicksilver
Details:
Price: $1200
Where to buy: In select Quicksilver stores.
How to buy: In person, sign waiver.
Available online: No
C02 cartridges included: No (order here)
Shipping: No
Quicksilver created a hardcore surf inflation vest in that super bright Quicksilver red. Die-hard big wave legends Peter Mel and Jamie Mitchell were closely involved with the development. Once it was launched, this vest was given to a large number of top-notch big wave surfers (think Eddie invitees). Smart move because it quickly became visible in photos and videos of jaw-dropping big wave surfing across the web. That, and the fact that you can buy this vest without any big wave risk training, made this inflation vest the option of choice for surfers looking to buy a vest.
The big difference with the Patagonia vest is that Quicksilver Airlift is worn OVER your wetsuit (just like Jeff Clark’s Surf Inflation vest).
The vest is only available for in-store purchases in select stores around the world. You'll have to sign a waiver and register the vest with Quicksilver.
UPDATE 2020: It appears that Quicksilver HighLine Pro Airlift vest is no longer in production. Or at least it’s not clear when it will be in production again. You might get lucky and find some remains of the inventory in Quicksilver board stores, but it won’t be restocked.
Personal Surf Inflation Vest (PSI) by Patagonia
For 5 years, this vest was only available to elite big wave surfers. It was the number one choice in big wave line-ups around the world, but hard to get without the right connections.
Patagonia's Personal Surf Inflation vest can now be purchased, but only if you've completed a Big Wave Risk Assessment course .
("Exclusively for experienced big wave surfers")
Details
Price: $1250
Where to buy: Patagonia Store in Haleiwa and FCD Surfboards in Ventura.
How to buy: It is available exclusively to experienced big wave surfers who have been certified by the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG).
Available online: No
C02 cartridges included: No (order here)
Shipping: No
Patagonia strongly recommends to use their PSI vest in combination with their flotation vests and wetsuits, so that you have guaranteed flotation, even if your inflation vest fails.
Jeff Clark’s Inflatable Surf Rescue Vest By Quatic
This was the first expert build inflatable vest for big wave surfers that could be purchased by all (big wave) surfers, thanks to the man who developed it: legendary Mavericks pioneer Jeff Clark.
This vest is 100% self-reliable: you can operate it by yourself. It’s easy to put on, you can blow up the bladder with your mouth to manage buoyancy and safe cartridges.
Best of all: you can reload the cartridge yourself, without ever taking the vest off.
This vest was innovative at it’s launch because it included a new feature: the option to blow into the vest while wearing it, so that you can manage your buoyancy as needed, safe expensive Co2 cartridges without having to take the vest of.
To this day, Jeff Clark’s inflatable vest is the only big wave rescue vest that can be re-charged in the water without getting of your board.
Price: $499
Where to buy: Online
How to buy: Order from webshop
Available online: Yes (refill here)
C02 included: Yes: 2x 25 mg 3/8”
Shipping: Yes. World wide
The Rescue UP Vest is the latest innovation of the company that created the UPvest and UNvest. These inflation vests are tried and tested at Nazaré and used by the best big wave surfers in the world.)
They has designed a new and long sleeved version of the UP Vest for jet ski pilots (or crew) who risk all to provide safety & rescue cover for the big wave surf athletes. This new, bright red inflation vest with long sleeves, has everything that all other inflation vests have plus some next level tech stuff: NFC TOKEN. It provides the identification data of each user such as medical file, contact information or current location!
The UNvest by Bluesoup is a big wave surf inflation vest that is worn UNDER your wetsuit for maximum protection. Because of that, it is near impossible to have the vest get ripped off, and the wetsuit provides an additional layer of safety, shielding the vest from being punctured by external objects like sharp bushes, fins, sharp metal corners on boats, garages, hotel room, etc., etc.)
Specs:
2 Co2 cartridges
2 Pull tabs
Blue anodized toggles
Inflation tube for mouth inflation (safe your C02 cartridges)
Dump valve to quickly deflate.
Light, flexible, strong but silky soft material
Design and manufactured in the United Kingdom
Made to order (less co2 emissions because of short delivery lines
Co2 Cartridge for inflation vest for big wave surfing. The cartridge will rapidly inflate the vest when the surfers pull the inflation vest. This helps the surfer get back to the surface if something goes wrong underwater.
The 3/8” thread is the size that screws into the inflator head. (Check the size of your inflator!)
Highest-quality Co2 cartridge on the market
Manufactured under strict rules to meet USA Coastguard Regulations.
Trusted by big wave surfers around the world
Made by Industry leader LELAND
LELAND is a US-based company
Related Stuff:
Take a Rescue Course
Find a Freedive Course for Big Wave Surfers
Become a stronger swimmer