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-   -   double back roll with no LIFE VEST!!! (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=498204)

unclejessie 09-06-2007 1:45 PM

hmm... anyone want to comment on that...

bbking 09-06-2007 1:46 PM

let em do what they want, its their choice

unclejessie 09-06-2007 1:51 PM

I have seen a ton of comments on this site about all the positive things about wearing one, so I think it is interesting that no one has anything to say here... yet.

09-06-2007 1:52 PM

who did that

unclejessie 09-06-2007 1:53 PM

see other thread about double indy backroll. I did not want to hyjack it, so I started a new one...

swoop 09-06-2007 2:00 PM

sick.. do u have video?

innov8 09-06-2007 2:07 PM

I dont think its a good idea to ride without a vest, but Chad is a grown man and he makes his own decisions.

ogopogo 09-06-2007 2:15 PM

WHO CARES!!! There are too many people on here worrying/trying to police about what other's are doing. <BR> <BR>I have stopped posting pics of surfing without one because there are way to many experts on here about the dangers of it. <BR> <BR>I personally would never wakeboard without one..... But people have a choice and the decision and consequences are theirs to deal with.

unclejessie 09-06-2007 2:21 PM

When a friend dies... you might care. How many people has the wakeboard community lost this year... how many over the years...? That is why I care. <BR> <BR>I personally think that with the amount of young people monitoring this site, that video of a pro, (doing a flip he obviously is "learning" and may have just landed his first one), without a life vest on, is sending a bad mnessage. <BR> <BR>I will take my licks for saying that, but I was shocked to see the video. <BR> <BR>Pro or no... wear your vest!!!

norcal_wakejunky 09-06-2007 2:25 PM

He's Canadian that says enough right there. From the stories I have read about the guy he is pretty tough. Definitely important to wear a vest also. Congrats to him for stomping that trick, the video is sweet!

spherren 09-06-2007 2:31 PM

It would be hard to wakeboard with out one cause you would have not flotation and your legs would float above your head with the board on. It would wear me out.

ronnyboy27 09-06-2007 2:45 PM

I agree with UncleJessie! Someone like that should always wear one for the example he is setting. It seems pretty stupid to not wear one when doing inverts and spins even if are a pro. <BR> <BR>That being said I don't wear one when wake surfing all the time unless I'm in danger of getting a ticket. I'm not going very fast and don't feel I'm in danger of getting hurt.

wakeparent 09-06-2007 2:59 PM

What if the surfboard knock's you out? could happen. They are pro wakeboarders not nobell prize winners. If a kid is not 18 the parent or boat driver should lay down the law, If your old enough to make that choice then so be it.. Congrats on the new trick!

fly135 09-06-2007 3:04 PM

I trick skied, barefooted, slalomed, and wakeboarded for a number of years 70's till 90's without a vest (with a few exceptions). Now I always wear a non-CGA vest (A-10) for comfort, impact protection, and flotation (yes it works). <BR> <BR>It's kind of like seat belts. Nobody used to wear them. Now everybody does. But I guess that's the point. If the message is always the same... "wear a vest" then everyone will wear one. And pros are sending the strongest message.

jcv 09-06-2007 3:06 PM

It's a personal choice. I don't do it, nor do I think kids should ever do it, but if adults want to, let them. They know what they're risking, but choose to not wear a vest anyway. Should every actor who smokes be demonized for sending the wrong message to children? And smoking is WAY more dangerous than wakeboarding without a vest. I bet a lot of the people making this into a big deal don't always wear their seat belt and/or don't always wear a helmet on a motorcycle. Again, way more dangerous. If other people want to needlessly slightly increase their chances of dying on a wakeboard, so be it. They know the possible consequences beforehand (no one is riding vestless thinking it's safer or anything), and that's what matters. Y'all need to relax.

bbking 09-06-2007 3:10 PM

i don't wakeboard without one because i imagine the pain of skin slapping the water and being knocked out <BR> <BR>i think i'd only wear one wakesurfing because of my parents, i dunno if i'd wear one while wakeskating behind a jetski but behind a boat, definately

mendo247 09-06-2007 3:15 PM

Havent had a chance to watch the video yet, but i cant believe he would try something like that with out one.. Riding without a life vest is pretty selfish imo.. Think of your family and friends and how your death would destroy their lives, there have been so many stories this year of simple riding accidents where people were doing everything correctly, why increases the chances by not wearing a life vest...

jcv 09-06-2007 3:17 PM

Why smoke? Why drink? Why mountain climb? Why play football? Why get in your car and go for a drive? You could easily die or shorten your life expectancy doing any of those. Selfish?

wakeparent 09-06-2007 3:23 PM

Amen Jeff, to each his own.

jcv 09-06-2007 3:27 PM

To me, not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle is 1000 times more stupid than not wearing a wakeboarding vest and increases your enjoyment about as much [read: not at all], but I'd never get all riled up about people not wearing helmets or petition for there to be new laws. It's their right. <BR> <BR>Smoking is 100,000 times more stupid but, again, it's their right. As long as it only puts in danger the person making the decision to not wear a vest (and not others like drinking and driving does) then who cares? If they want to take unnecessary risks (a risk that isn't against the law by the way), let them, and teach your kids not to do likewise.

unclejessie 09-06-2007 3:27 PM

Didn't Wakeboard Mag pull ads showing riders w/o vests because it sends the wrong message?

liquidmx 09-06-2007 3:44 PM

In all honesty, these types of threads /soapboxes / arguments are hilarious. So many monday morning QB's trying to "save the world one wake vest at a time" lol. <BR> <BR>Ahh screw it, whatever. I had a long argument (supporting chad and his choice) just about written but decided it was a giant waste of time. LET CHAD RIDE!!!

shane97210 09-06-2007 3:59 PM

How about everyone just worries about themselves? These "i know better what you should do with yourself than you do" threads are getting really old.

whitie 09-06-2007 4:13 PM

Isn't he sponsored by a vest company? I would think for the money he would ride with it on or at least when filming. Don't riders get payed for wearing product during video sections and photo ops? It would be hard to have any of the stills from that in a bla bla bla vest ad. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by whitie on September 06, 2007)

ralph 09-06-2007 4:24 PM

Every body is required to wear a vest behind my boat, but for totally selfish reasons, if I'm towing somebody and they die it would spoil wakeboarding for me forever. If anybody else wants to ride vestless its there call I wouldn't try to talk them out of it. Being a roll model is BS IMO, people are either old enough to make there own decisions or have parents telling them what to do.

vin 09-06-2007 4:39 PM

he just looks so cool with out it (NOT)

deltaridah 09-06-2007 4:44 PM

ya wakeboard magizine pulled those ads! thier a great online and print magizine though. they realized if they didnt show these anymore than sooner than later riders wanting PR would have to wear one and set the right example. Wakeworld is differant its a small co thats run my one person who makes his own rules, unfortunately. Maybe sponsors should hold back if these sites promote illegal acts

jcv 09-06-2007 4:55 PM

Illegal acts? What state do you live in that has laws requiring skiers to be wearing vests? I'm asking legitimately. I wasn't aware it was an actual law anywhere.

deltaridah 09-06-2007 4:57 PM

hey just a opinion! thats all. Wakeworld has a social responisbilty as does alliance which is even more wrong. <BR> <BR>Hey I didnt know that all you cie boys are sponsored by cwb faction team makes sense why you all stick up for cwb so hard. Do they pay as well to always be on here promoting thier gear??? <BR> <BR>(Message edited by deltaridah on September 06, 2007)

deltaridah 09-06-2007 5:01 PM

ca and anyone getting towed on water req's a vest. are you refering to snow skiing??I didnt know you could drown skiing maybe i will wear one when i snowboard. I have more to live for then hitting a new trick taking dumb chances to be cool. Just my opinion

bigpapaf1f 09-06-2007 5:02 PM

Here in Cali its a law, like 600 for the Drive and 600 for the rider. I got a warning a few weeks ago cuz I was rockin a non-CGA vest. <BR> <BR>So WBM is still promote Illegal acts. Should sponsors hold back from them to? Cuz they all have vest, but not many are CGA.

deltaridah 09-06-2007 5:07 PM

Dude I'm not hating on WW just pointing out these mags need to help promote safe riding. <BR> <BR>good point Bg!! very true, maybe they should make a point to req least non cga then it wouldnt look so bad. a little goes a long way. How many kids out thier do as they see???? I would hate for a kid to drown because rusty or chad had a super big trick they stomped without a vest <BR> <BR>(Message edited by deltaridah on September 06, 2007)

jcv 09-06-2007 5:08 PM

aka, What? I was obviously using skiers as a general term for WATER skiers and wakeboarders. Don't try to be a smart ass. I've never heard of anywhere actually having a written law enforcing wearing a vest and punishing those who don't, but I haven't spent much time on CA lakes. Just like you, I wear a vest for personal reasons, and I don't think it's worth it to not wear one, but I don't get bent out of shape when OTHERS choose to not wear one, as long as its within their rights.

jcv 09-06-2007 5:14 PM

Then I agree, in CA no one should ride without a vest, and magazines shouldn't use pictures of vestless riders on CA lakes.

deltaridah 09-06-2007 5:14 PM

just clarifying jeff. in ca on the delta its coast guard laws as vests are req. all lakes in ca req a cga approved vest. as far as I knew it was a law in every state i may be wrong. and yes choice is always the riders but their bad choices shouldnt be rewarded. just think if this vid didnt get publised due to no vest im sure chad would think twice about it next time

tyboarder03 09-06-2007 5:15 PM

I always wear a non CGA vest when wakeboarding, but none while surfing... although by law in Oregon, I dont need to wear one ever just have one in the boat.

wakedad33 09-06-2007 5:53 PM

This thread reminded me of a pic of a sign I saw on Betty Bonifay's dock back in the day, " No vest no riding and I don't care how famous you are" thought it was pretty cool.

tyboarder03 09-06-2007 5:57 PM

Randy- Thats funny seeing how Parks 1080 was without a vest. I bet his mom tore him a new one

auto 09-06-2007 6:41 PM

Freedom is an awesome thing. Ride how you want, I could care less.

hawkeye7708 09-06-2007 7:29 PM

That Double Indy was a jaw dropper, life jacket or not, I for one respect ones decision to wear a jacket or not. Me personally, I'd never go riding without one, but it's not for me to tell somebody else to follow suit. My opinion anyway. Congrats Chad!

o2binvallarta 09-06-2007 7:31 PM

I am so close to not frequenting this site because of posts like this and the Hoffman Sister's post. Its a shame that people have to hate on others for any reason. Chad Sharpe is a grown man and NO ONE on this site or anywhere else has the right to bag on him for his decisions. If he were my son and pulled this trick without a vest, I'd kick his a$$ all the way across the border, but who are the rest of us to pass judgement on this guy? He's not riding behind our boats, he's not our child and if he has more impact on your children then you as a parent do (and I'm a father of 4, 3 who wakeboard)shame on you ,not Chad Sharpe. <BR> <BR>By the way, why is it that a wakeboarder as a roll model catches such flack for not wearing a vest, but Kelly Slater can surf all day in far more uncertain situations without a vest and we never hear a word about it. I swear, some people on this site just look for things to complain about. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by o2binvallarta on September 06, 2007)

deltaridah 09-06-2007 7:38 PM

no see the big differance between this thread and the hoffmans is that was totally the wrong place to have that discussion!!! Unclejessie went out of his way to start a new seperate thread then the one giving him his due congrats thats a crazy trick he pulled man it was so clean! but this thread is strictly about riding without a vest and a discussion about how people feel on not wearing one or not or if its a bad example. No offense to each his own. But this is not like the hoff's thread. <BR> <BR>oh and if a lifejacket was law for surfing it would be the same thing. i cant believe surfers dont wear them, and thier choice. Its not the law( at least most places, and its not common policy like wakeboarding to wear one. (so it not setting a bad example to not wear one) <BR> <BR>(Message edited by deltaridah on September 06, 2007)

sharpechad 09-06-2007 7:40 PM

Hey this is chad <BR>I always ride with a vest and absolutely think everyone should ride with a vest. The reason I was not wearing a vest was because 2 days before i was at radar and took a pretty bad crash on the new rail. My back was and is still really burned and cut up. That is the only reason I was not wearing one. I actually had one on for the first couple mins of my set but the pain was a little too much to continue riding with it on. The double up set was in front of the chase boat with 3 passengers only 8-10 feet away, which does not make it right. I dont aprove of anyone riding without a vest. The new billabong vest is so comfortable anyway.

timsown 09-06-2007 8:35 PM

Your boat, your rules. <BR> <BR>That being said....Nice looking trick you got there Chad!

mhsb1029 09-06-2007 8:46 PM

Chad, <BR> <BR>Thanks for throwing that in. You sound like a stand up guy.

liquidmx 09-06-2007 8:48 PM

I agree with you Bill. I used to spend a lot of my time in these types of threads writing long meaningful posts about the logic behind my stance on issues. Then I realized it was pretty pointless. Less talking and more riding; let people think what they want. I for one want to visit wakeworld to see ALL ASPECTS OF the sport I love, not just a "morally filtered" version based on someone's prerogative. Last time I checked the internet had a lot worse places for a child to spend their time than watching a vestless wakeboarder, lol.

whitie 09-06-2007 9:16 PM

I will say that that was the most styled out double flip ever. Mad props to Chad Sharp

westsiderippa 09-06-2007 9:22 PM

wow, kinda trippy when the guys we look up to and talk about all day long interject in the mix. enough said, chad thank you for that and thanks for all you have done and do for our sport. <BR> <BR>common sense here guys, know your limits and capabilities.

westsiderippa 09-06-2007 9:24 PM

oh yah i forgot, uscg jackets only behind my boat, why? because i own it and i say so! surfing or wakeboarding.

hixsonaz 09-06-2007 9:50 PM

I ride a 3ds--chads old model and i wouldn't ever ride w/o a vest. I'm not nearly good enough for it to make a difference either way. I just know that my family would be really upset if something happened cause i wasnt wearing one. But I really think that Chad's post was as "stand up" as you can get. Nice job Chad. <BR> <BR>As for surfing...I will still wear one, besides, treading water sucks. You tend to sink faster when you are all muscle like me.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

scott_a 09-06-2007 10:19 PM

Is it me, or is it completely ridiculous that a grown f-ing man whose life revolves around being in, on and around water has to create a new account so he can justify his own decisions?

tyboarder03 09-06-2007 10:34 PM

Not just you it is rediculous. WAY TOO MANY WHINERS ON THIS SITE!!!

unclejessie 09-06-2007 11:02 PM

Since I started this mess, maybe we can end it here... <BR> <BR>I am not sure anyone was asking Chad to justify anything. What he did is a very contrversial topic within our sport, one that warrants a discussion. The fact that it was such a sick trick that few people do, makes it that more amazing that he chose to do it w/o a vest on. <BR> <BR>I for one have not seen many pics or video (over the past few years) of pros wakeboarding w/o vest. It seemed like the sport had moved beyond that issue...I personally hope it has. <BR> <BR>I know for fact, however, that at some point in the next year or two there will be a topic of another rider the wakeboard community has lost. That rider may or may not have a jacket on, or may or may not have worn a helmet, may or may not etc. etc. These topics are relevant and should be discussed. The fact that people loose their lives doing the sport we all love is horribly sad... I am sure if someone you rode with died while wakeboarding, some of the comments on this thread might change. <BR> <BR>Now, oin the lighter side... the fact that people interject with their emotion getting the best of them is fine as long as the thread stays on point. People arguing back and forth is what drives this site. Mix a little of that with relevant comments makes for a great forum. If this site were full of dry un-emotional facts posted by dull, boring people, none of us would visit the site! <BR> <BR>Peace... UJ is OUT!

wakeriderixi 09-06-2007 11:42 PM

The second the video started and I noticed no life vest I knew DARN well this was going to happen, funny stuff! <BR> <BR>Everyone wearing a NCGA vest .. Don't interject your opinion if negative, myself included.

wakeworld 09-06-2007 11:54 PM

I have to agree with unclejessie. To sit here and say there is nothing to discuss is just silly. It's obviously a controversial issue with a couple different angles to it. I think that's the very reason that Chad Sharpe got on here to explain himself. He's a pro that knows what it involves and he knows it's important to people. <BR> <BR>Some feel that pros should wear vests all the time no matter what because they are role models. Others feel it that it's up to the pro to decide what he/she wants to do and that they don't have to justify their behavior if they choose not to wear a vest. <BR> <BR>I tend to agree with the latter. I know there are certain situations where there is little or no risk to going without a vest and most pros are smart enough to make that evaluation on their own. If I was that pro, I would do everything I could to make sure I'm wearing a vest because I know that kids are looking up to me and will imitate me. However, I'm sure there would be circumstances in which I might go without. Chad's circumstance seems very reasonable to me. <BR> <BR>To me it's a little hypocritical to ask pro athletes to do something dangerous for our entertainment and then get bent out of shape when they do something dangerous like not wearing a life jacket. If we really want them to be the safest role models possible for our kids to look up to, they shouldn't be wakeboarding in the first place. <BR> <BR>The other controversial issue is whether or not wakeboarding publications have a responsibility to print or not print images of riders without life jackets. If you recall, WakeWorld was the one publication that did not jump on the "we won't print pics if you're not wearing a life jacket" bandwagon. My primary responsibility as a wakeboarding publication is to bring you the latest happenings in the sport. Chad Sharpe's indy double back is such a happening. You can argue all you want about whether or not he should be wearing a life jacket, but the bottom line is that it's wakeboarding news either way. I'm not hear to filter out role models and purify the happenings in our sport. I'm just here to bring the news to you. <BR> <BR>You'll notice now that the publications that made those statements (after Corey Kraut's death if I remember correctly) have had a tough time complying with them over the years. If every pro all at once decided to stop wearing life jackets (like surfing does), would it be better if we brought you the news that the pro wakeboarders have all decided to go bareback or if we just shut down our operations because we have no pictures to print? <BR> <BR>Sorry this post is kind of all over the place, but this issue is a serious can or worms and I wanted to throw some of that out there. Chew it, digest it, poop it and let's here what you come up with! <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

auto 09-07-2007 5:18 AM

Well said David.

ironj32 09-07-2007 5:40 AM

hasn't this topic been beat to death already.

jcv 09-07-2007 6:23 AM

Pretty much the first time I've ever been embarrassed to have my real name on Wakeworld. Dude doesn't wear a vest one time (the only time I've ever seen Chad without one) and people throw hissy fits. Like David said, so hypocritical. We want these guys to push the envelope, do massive spins and flips off massive wakes, and hit insane rails that would result is serious injury with the slightest miscue (all of which are more dangerous than a regular set without a vest) but god forbid you risk your life SLIGHTLY more by making a personal decision not to wear a vest. If I was a parent, I'd be far more concerned about my kid wanting to do a gap transfer after watching a pro than I would be about him watching a vestless rider. Sorry to have seriously wasted your time, Chad.

andy_nintzel 09-07-2007 6:50 AM

I love fight threads!

andy_nintzel 09-07-2007 6:52 AM

How about No Life vest but a Helmet? I saw a guy out last week doing that! I almost shat myself laughing at him! Concerned enough to where a helmet but not smart enough to put on a life vest. Hahahahahaha still makes me laugh thinking about it.

fly135 09-07-2007 7:16 AM

<i>"How about everyone just worries about themselves? These "i know better what you should do with yourself than you do" threads are getting really old."</i> <BR> <BR>This is a legitimate topic. Parents spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars and invest their lives in raising kids to grow up get married, give them grandchildren, and be there when they get old. Doing everything they can to make sure that the influences on them are positive and that they adopt an attitude of safety awareness is only natural. I'm sure parents worry about their kids when they are out doing things like wakeboarding a lot more than their kids ever know.

richd 09-07-2007 7:27 AM

I wouldn't automatically point the finger at Chad obviously he feels like he had control of the situation from a risk standpoint or Dave for posting it because where does that stop? <BR> <BR>I started wearing a helmet after my main skiing buddy high sided into a rock wall and about killed himself and a friend of my youngest daughter died after hitting a tree at speed snowboarding a few years back as well. The odds of having a serious head injury on snow far outweigh the odds of drowning without a vest in my mind yet most of my friends still refuse to wear one. <BR> <BR>People have to make decisions on their own in life, weigh the risk, take the consequences. There can be no right or wrong opinion on the level of risk one assumes in sports or life.

swoop 09-07-2007 7:29 AM

I like the idea. I think I'm leaving my vest in the boat from now on <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/angry.gif" border=0><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

kalenk 09-07-2007 7:38 AM

Its really pathetic if you choose to wear or not to wear a vest because you love pros soooo much that it influences what you choose to do. good lord, if you go through life not being able to make simple choices like this you have no chance.

jason_ssr 09-07-2007 7:39 AM

Safety is subjective, and is different for every situation. A boat full of watermen 15ft away is a far better safety mechanism than any piece of foam, IMO. <BR> <BR>I always find it funny that people who do dangerous things for fun judge other people who do dangerous things for fun just because they dont agree on what level they should hedge their bets. IMO, voluntarily risking death while hedging your bet with a vest, is still someone stupid enough to voluntarily risk death for the sheer fun of it, which is every single one of us. <BR> <BR>If someone was really concerned about their life, the math wouldnt really matter. People who REALLY dont want to die in a plane crash do not get on planes. Yes, they are 99.9% safe, but for those who really care about their life, .1% is too much risk. And, when .1% occurs and you are rocketing toward the earth from 30,000ft, your oxygen mask, seatbelt, and floaty seat cushion dont change a darn thing. <BR> <BR>No matter what you do or what you wear to protect yourself, every time you hit the water you roll the dice at being in the .1%

malibuboarder75 09-07-2007 7:52 AM

"A boat full of watermen 15ft away is a far better safety mechanism than any piece of foam, IMO." <BR> <BR>How long does it take for your lungs to fill with water? If your lungs fill with water you will sink, and it doesn't matter who is near you. <BR> <BR>If people are concerned about their kids not wearing a vest, then maybe they should be a good parent and go riding with your kids each time they go out to make sure they are wearing one.

swoop 09-07-2007 8:00 AM

Some of you folks need to drink a beer, get laid, and smoke a cigarette (in that order) YOURE WAY TOO UPTIGHT! <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0>

jason_ssr 09-07-2007 8:07 AM

It doesnt take long for your lungs to fill with water. But the water in your lungs and the percentage of water your body is made of are neutrally boyant. You dont exactly go down like an anvil. If Im 15ft away and focussed on your movements in particular I can get to you faster than you can sink, trust me. You cannot judge a pro for doing something in a very controlled environment with a crew, with the same standards as a weekend warrior out on a busy lake.

ronnyboy27 09-07-2007 8:09 AM

I was thinking about this while laying in bed last night and I had the following thoughts- <BR> <BR>When you become a professional athlete you open the door to this kind of critisism. (sp) And hopefully you are the type of athlete that see that he or she has a responsiblity to raise the level of their performance as well as their character. The majority of people on this thread are all adults that make the rules on our own boats. I think that almost everyone of us rides with a vest on. At 30 years old I'm not going to quite wearing a vest because some 16 to 21 year old pro doesn't. Most of us are in this same mind frame. <BR> <BR>However there are young kids 12 to 20 that will see pros ride without a vest and decide that they don't need to either. And if they are riding without a responsible adult around that will set the example and make them wear vests they may think it would make them look cool to their friends to not wear one. Probably nothing would happen but what if something did happen. <BR> <BR>Professional athletes need to realize that this is who they have a responsiblity to. They parents of these kids pay their salaries. I'm not worried about myself, I'm worried about kids that will think this is acceptable behaviour and imitate it. <BR> <BR>As far as people saying this has been beat to death or what not they must not have children they are worring about. (I hope this is the case if not the alternative is well a little embarassing.) I don't think that my daughter will ever wonder about wearing a vest or how I feel about it. But what happens when I'm not there and she is feeling peer pressure. Vest in this idea can be interchanged with smoking, drugs, sex, etc.

kalenk 09-07-2007 8:09 AM

I think what he is saying is that you are risking serious injury or death everytime you ride, so if you are way to concerned about it, dont do anything, stay at home. but even then your house might blow up. personally i choose not to wear a vest because the pros dont, and they are setting an example for me, so i should follow it, right? <BR>and as for beer, getting laid, etc. yes, yes you should

ronnyboy27 09-07-2007 8:21 AM

Jason that percetage on planes is like .000000000000000000000001 of one percent. I think I added too many 0's but it is somewhere in the billionth of a percent. How many people get hurt wakeboarding 1 in 50 probably more like 1 in 20. Even though those injuries are minor they are multiplied by not having a vest on.

jon4pres 09-07-2007 8:45 AM

Everyone is making way to big of a deal about it most of the pros that do wear vests do not wear approved vests. <BR>CGA vest - you float but very few pros wear these <BR>Comp vest - you sink, most of the pros are wearing these <BR>No Vest - you sink, why is this so much worse than wearing a comp vest.

jason_ssr 09-07-2007 9:07 AM

Ron, we are talking about death, not injury. Compare every man hour of flight VS. every man hour of wakeboarding and how many of those man hours end in death. Both are extremely rare. <BR> <BR>For the record, I wear a vest every time I wakeboard, but rarely when I kiteboard. I just find it funny that people who choose to do something dangerous can throw stones at someone who does the same activity with less or different hedge.

richd 09-07-2007 9:11 AM

"Comp vest - you sink, most of the pros are wearing these <BR>No Vest - you sink, why is this so much worse than wearing a comp vest." <BR> <BR>My understanding of the differences between a comp and CG approved is that the CG approved will (on paper anyway) keep your head/face out of the water. I've never seen anyone sink with a comp vest on, then again I've never had anyone's lungs fill with water either which I suppose could be a determining factor. <BR> <BR>This does bring up a good point though, why not argue that all the pros should be wearing CG approved rather then just "a vest".

deltahoosier 09-07-2007 9:32 AM

This is a legit topic. No one is getting hysterical except people running around saying people are getting hysterical. Hysterical is saying you are embarrased to be on a website because a topic is being discussed. <BR> <BR>I use a CGA vest. You can die with a vest on, but, you have a greater chance to die without it. Pretty obvious. I would not want to try and stay swimming with my knee blown out which happens to people all the time. <BR> <BR>Keep in mind in the delta for instance. You knock yourself out, your lungs fill and it does not matter how long you think it may take to get to you. You can not see someone from even 1 to 2 feet under water. With the current moving you under water. you are gone. <BR> <BR>Even if you had a chase boat. The chase boat is still several hundred feet away especially if you crash to the opposite side. With the fact that you can go under in seconds especially if you crash and are already under and you can not be seen from even 1 foot or 2 under the water, your friends in the chase boat only have a few seconds to get your exact position. Never mind the fact they have to recognize you even have a problem after the hundreds of time they seen you get up fine after a crash. <BR> <BR>Let's say crash get knocked out and are under the water. Your friends will spend how long wondering when you are going to pop up like you always do? By the time your friends figure it out, you could already moved 10 ft or more before they even know what is going on. I bet it would take a chase boat up to 20 to 30 seconds to get to you after that. Then in the water people go and by that time you can be 10 ft down and 20 or 30 feet from the original position. The one thing that allows you to live without breathing actively breathing is the fact you do not process oxygen all the way and you still have oxygen levels in your lungs to support life. When most people drown they actually swallow water into their bellies not the lungs. When you get knocked out the chocking effect is gone and water goes in the lungs and displaces that life giving oxygen. You die much quicker. That is why people who walk into a nitrogen enviroment will instantly be knocked out on the way to death in 1 or 2 breaths because oxygen is displaced instantly in your lungs. <BR> <BR>If you are the boat owner and let someone ride without a vest in your boat and they die or have complications from water in the lungs due to illegally riding without a vest, you just may fine yourself on the wrong in of a lawsuit or maybe even criminal charges if you have a over zealous DA? <BR> <BR>Not judging because I am guilty of all things mentioned above except riding without a vest (I sink like a rock). Carry on.

ronnyboy27 09-07-2007 10:47 AM

I noticed that chad was quick to point out he has now landed one with a vest on. I think that he realized this isn't good and stepped up. I like that.

wakeriderixi 09-07-2007 2:18 PM

Lake Hiawassee isn't the Delta!

deltahoosier 09-07-2007 2:35 PM

Just an example bud. Notice the part about I am not judging because I am just as guilty about stuff, but, giving an example? Even if it is not the delta. You get knocked out and are under water you can still have serious respitory injuries from water in the lungs and can still get respitory arrest. Each their own.

jarrod 09-07-2007 2:37 PM

This is so lame. Picking on the no vest thing...Seriously some of you have WAY too much time on your hands. Ya, coming from me, the guy with the 2cd most WW posts ever. <BR> <BR>You guys are just jones'n for something to talk about aren't cha?

deltahoosier 09-07-2007 4:03 PM

Your just trying to get your post count up J-Rod <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0>
