Gath Surf Helmet Review

Three reviews in three days. All I can say is I've had time to catch up on blogging since I've been home sick for the last few days, laid low by a virus that is decidedly not swine flu. (Or "H1N1" as we're supposed to call it now, lest the stupid people who don't pay attention beyond the headlines come to believe eating Wilbur could make them sick. Jon Stewart on the new name: "H1N1? What - do you catch it from droids?!" I only hope the growing hysteria doesn't muck up our planned trip to Oahu in less than 2 weeks.) At least the surf has been small and unispiring so I don't feel I've been missing much. Now on to #3.

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I finally got around to buying a Gath Surf Convertible Helmet last month. Since I earn my living from my brain, it makes sense to protect it with a helmet while surfing, just as when biking or snowboarding. Trouble is, helmets are much more common, and more accepted, in those other sports. I fact, many bike clubs won't allow riders to participate unless they are helmeted (and also mock those who aren't wearing silly spandex bike clothes, but that's another matter). Conversely, helmets are seldom seen on surfers and consequently have a bit of uncool stigma and somewhat of a kook factor.

No matter; I've never worried overly much about what other people think, and I've taken other precautions to make surfing a little safer, like using Pro Teck fins and nose/tail guards. So why then, have I been surfing for nearly six years without a helmet? Since virtually no one else was wearing one, for a long time I discounted the danger. But a couple friends have had close calls like this one, and indeed S told me he once saw my longboard crash down inches from my head, so I started to think perhaps I should get one. Laziness also played a role, as the only place I could find any Gath surf helmets locally, Freeline in Santa Cruz, had a limited selection and no cool colors. That meant I had to order one from the Australian company's U.S. distributor, Murrays, but first I had to locate a tape measure and then have S measure my head twice to ensure proper sizing. (S also talked me out of choosing hot pink, for which I suppose I should be grateful.) What finally pushed me to do it was the death of Natasha Richardson, and so I finally got my hands on a cherry red surf convertible with removable ear protectors.

I still don't intend to wear the helmet all the time, just when there seems to be a greater risk of head injury, e.g. surfing in a crowd, over shallow reef, riding a heavy longboard, etc. I've tried the helmet a few times so far, and it feels quite a lot like wearing a hood, except that I can hear better. Unfortunately it doesn't provide a hood's warmth. It's also a tad loose on my head, such that it scoops water when I duck-dive. Along with a drawstring carrying bag, the helmet came with a foam strip to be used for additional snugness if needed, but it's fairly thick, and I don't think it would solve the scooping issue. I've just ordered a thin thermal hood to wear under the helmet, which should provide both some warmth and a better fit.

Who knows? Maybe I'll start a trend, and soon all the local surfers will be wearing helmets. Ha!