In river surfing even a small mistake can be fatal. If you get hit by your own surfboard or if you hit a rock you can lose consciousness and drown. A helmet can help prevent head trauma and thus loss of consciousness. But what should you look for when you go shopping? In this article we cover the most important things to consider before buying a new lid for your head. Towards the end of the article you’ll find a selection of both affordable and high-end helmets.

Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice.

Helmet Types

There are three basic types of watersport helmets: half-cut, full-cut and full face helmets.

Half-cut (or half-shell) helmets are similar to bicycle helmets. They sit above the ear and protect the top, back and side of your head. They are lighter weight and often more comfortable than full-shell helmets but offer less protection. Some half-cut helmets feature removable ear flaps to add warmth and protect your ears from damage and cold water.

Full-cut (or full-shell) helmets not only protect your head but provide extra protection by also covering your ears. As helmets might dampen the sound, full-cut helmets often include ear vents to improve hearing. In cold conditions, full-cut helmets not only add protection, but can also add some warmth to your ears. In very cold weather, you can wear a neoprene skull cap under your full-cut helmet for insulation against heat loss.

In extreme cases, whitewater paddlers also use full face helmets that look like motor cycle helmets and feature a visor and chin guard.

Components and Materials

A helmet consist of different components that are made of different materials. The price of helmets often reflect material choices, especially when it comes to shell and liner materials. Every helmet consists of the same four basic components:

• Shell: The outer component of the helmet; spreads the force of an impact over a broader area and protects your head against injuries from sharp objects.
• Liner: The cushioning component underneath the shell; absorbs the impact so less energy is transmitted to your head.
• Padding: Fit pads that can be arranged on the inner liner to adjust fit and comfort.
• Retention system: The straps that keep the helmet secured to your head.

Shell: Basically, there are two kinds of shells, plastic and composite, and opinions on them differ. While composite shells are praised for their strength and light weight, plastic helmets are recognized for their better flex and impact absorption. Manufacturers use a variety of terms for plastic shells such as PE, ABS or PC and there is a wide range of composites such as carbon fibre, fibreglass or Kevlar.

Liner: The foam liner of a helmet absorbs the impact of a hit so it won’t get straight to your head. Liners for non-watersport helmets are typically made of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), which is a single impact foam and therefore not the best choice for watersport helmets. The two most popular liner materials for watersport helmets are Expanded Poly-Propylene (EPP) and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), which are not affected by moisture and can take multiple impacts. Some helmets are lined with closed-cell foam, which is softer and basically the same material that camping mats are made of.

Padding: Helmets typically come with pads in different sizes and thickness to customize fit and maximize comfort. Pads may either be self-adhesive or attachted to the liner via a hook and loop fastening system. These pads can be cut or arranged in a variety of ways to fit your head.

Retention system: The straps of a river surfing helmet must be strong and reliable and securely hold the helmet in place. Almost all whitewater helmets have a chin-strap with a quick-release buckle that connects and tightens the helmet to your head. Good helmets also have an adjustable back head strap to give a firmer fit. Some even come with a magnetic buckle to ease operation with one hand or gloves while minimizing the risk of neck pinching.

Fit and Sizing

When buying a helmet for river surfing, as for any other sport, make sure you always measure your head properly and consider different brands, models and sizes of helmets. Helmets come in different shapes and some helmets can fit one shape of head while others fit another shape. Make sure your helmet fits snugly without pressure points. If a helmet feels loose and slides when you turn your head, it’s too big. The right helmet stays put even if the chinstrap is left undone.

Helmets for River Surfing

To date, there are no helmets specifically designed for river surfing. However, helmets for kayaking, wake-boarding or kitesurfing can perfectly be used in river surfing. A growing number of manufacturers are responding to the demand for safe and stylish watersport helmets, with Pro-Tec, Gath, Bern, Predator and WRSI being among the most popular ones. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite watersport helmets to use for river surfing. Please note that we have not tested all these helmets but the ones below reflect a wide range of designs, features and prices.

WRSI Trident Composite

WRSI Trident Composite

The WRSI Trident (#ad) is a popular half-cut kayak helmet, featuring a lightweight, high-impact carbon composite shell combined with a polyurethane sub-shell and an EVA foam liner. It comes with nine foam pads that can be adjusted to fit different head sizes and shapes. Its interconnected retention system and an adjustable O-brace harness keep the helmet firmly in place. The WRSI Trident has a visor to keep the sun or water out of your face and comes in many different colours to suite everybody’s taste.

Gath Surf Convertible (SFC)

Gath Surf Convertible (SFC)

Gath prides the Surf Convertible (SFC) (#ad) on being the lightest, coolest and lowest profile Gath. The helmet is designed for ocean surfing and features removable ear protectors and foam forehead coverage that adds additional protection. The shell is made from high impact resistant ABS plastic and a non-absorbent, molded closed-cell foam liner. Its fit can be customized with comfort fit strips. Available accessories for the Gath SFC include a GoPro camera mount.

Pro-Tec Ace Wake

Pro-Tec Ace Wake

The Pro-Tec Ace Wake (#ad) features a high-impact ABS shell and a dual-density, waterproof EVA liner. It’s equipped with 16 open vent holes for ventilation and water drainage. The cupping ear protectors are removable. The helmet’s Head Lock fit system increases comfort and fit by cupping the back of your head. Overall, the Ace Wake combines durability and ultra light protection with great adjustability.

NRS Havoc Livery

NRS Havoc Livery

The NRS Havoc Livery (#ad) – described by NRS as the “one-size-fits-most solution to whitewater safety” – is an affordable option available in a selection of colours. It has a lightweight ABS plastic shell combined with an EVA foam liner for impact protection and FIT pads to provide comfort. The helmet is equipped with drainage/ventilation ports to let air in and water out and an adjustable chin strap. Its DialFit system lets you adjust the Havoc Livery to fit your head size. With its universal fit, the NRS Havoc Limery Helmet is a great choice if multiple people share the same helmet.

WRSI Current

WRSI Current

Like the NRS Havoc Limery, the WRSI Current (#ad) is designed to fit a range of head sizes. It’s made from ABS plastic with a polyurethane sub-shell and an EVA foam liner. The WRSI Current comes with foam pads that can be adjusted for a custom fit and its interconnected retention system and an adjustable O-brace harness keep the helmet in place. The WRSI Current Helmet comes in two models with or without vents to let water drain and air in. For those looking for ear protection, a third model, the WRSI Current Pro (#ad) adds removable ear pads for extra warmth and protection and a visor.

Bern Brighton H20

Bern Brighton H20

Bern’s Brighton H2O (#ad) is a watersports helmet specifically designed for women. It has an ABS shell combined with soft moisture wicking foam (Bern’s innovation “Brock” foam) with EVA and neoprene. The helmet is equipped with an adjustable chin strap and vents for drainage and greater breathability. If you’re looking for extra protection or warmth for your ears, you can upgrade the Brighton H20 with removable neoprene earpads that can simply be attached to the helmet with press-studs. For all male river surfers, Bern’s Macon H20 (#ad) is the male counterpart to the Brighton H20.

Available at Amazon (#ad)

Keep your head in one piece

Make sure you get a helmet that you’ll actually wear. Many shops will let you send a helmet back for refund or size change if you aren’t happy with the fit or design, so buying online is low risk. Be sure to look after your head – it’s the only one you have!

Note: Riverbreak is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

The post Helmets for River Surfing: Buying Guide appeared first on Riverbreak.

How It Works

The BootieLeash connects from your wetsuit leg to the wetsuit bootie-heel noose keeping your wetsuit leg locked down and in place. It is comprised of two components:

1. a polyamide snap hook vertical eye and
2. a self-fastening Velcro strap.

The BootieLeash assembly can remain attached or disconnected to the bootie-heel noose after each use and also prevents water from being blown up the wetsuit leg. The device should only be used to connect the wetsuit leg to the wetsuit bootie heel noose. It should never be used for any other applications.

The History of BootieLeash

Michael Mednick, inventor of the BootieLeash, started to experiment with solutions to prevent his wetsuit leg from creeping up in the late 60s. Michael initially used duct tape while wearing wool socks under his booties, but due to frozen hands after surfing in ice cold waters of Virginia Beach, and the inability to remove the duct tape from the wetsuit leg this solution wasn’t really satisfying. In the 70s, Michael started to use various types of strings to hold the wetsuit leg down around the bootie calf. The strings, however, had to be tied so tightly that leg circulation was often nearly cut off.

In the 70s, Michael started to use various types of strings to hold the wetsuit leg down around the bootie calf.

In the 2000s, he cut the ankle-wrap portion of a surfing leash off, and tried this technique to secure the wetsuit leg to the bootie calf. Later, in 2012 Michael applied Velcro® straps, but the wetsuit leg creep was still occurring because there was no lock-down mechanism attached to wetsuit bootie from the wetsuit leg.

Then, in 2015, the first prototype BootieLeash was invented using random parts taken off a small folding beach cooler and parts purchased from a local sporting goods stores. This conceptual design, that when tested, performed marvellously and locked the wetsuit leg down and in place stopping the upward movement and creep of the wetsuit leg up the bootie ankle and calf. An innovative and inexpensive wetsuit leg to wetsuit bootie was now in the final conceptual stages that prevented wetsuit leg creep, and movement of the wetsuit leg to the top of the wetsuit bootie heel and calf.

Shop and Contact Information

• Website: bootieleash.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bootieleash
• Email: mikemednick@bootieleash.com
• Phone: Office (949) 441-7855, Cell (949) 463-3052

The post How To Keep Your Wetsuit Locked Down And In Place: BootieLeash appeared first on Riverbreak.

A Munich based Action Sport Venture tells us about their vision about a holistic surfing experience. Learn what Sandro Stark, CEO of HIDRO has to say about surfing, passion and what makes a truly holistic surfing experience.

HIDRO gives river surfers full control over their fin setup.

As a team of four tech and surfing passionistas, we are currently working on a way to provide individualisation to the world of surfing. During our intense collaboration and co-creation with surfers and shapers we recognised one thing: Surfing is broken!

Shapers and small manufacturers around the world are building beautiful individually designed surfboards every day. But when it comes to selecting the right fins we face a high-complex and cheaply mass produced portfolio of fins dominated by two large monopolists.

We thought, that we are missing a piece to realise our full potential and to radically reduce complexity when surfers select their board setup. Right now we connect with pro surfers, shapers and board manufacturers to deliver a blueprint for a truly holistic surfing experience.

How Will This happen?

Right now, we believe that the shapers will be the best evangelists and change-makers for our technology. We’re planning to build an app or software that translates the boards style & measurements but also the weight and improvement areas of the surfer into a set of exactly tailored fins. We are also experimenting with a wide variety of materials. At the moment we are playing around with high-tech 3D-printing materials, combining glass and nylon to reach extraordinary stiffness or using slightly flexible materials with shape-memory.

Our technology will be available to every shaper and manufacturer around the world.

We are working together with Strongwater and created custom branded river surf fins for their boards. Quite recently big wave rider David Langer approached us – since then we have been tapping into new ultra-durable materials like titanium to provide the right fin for Dave and other big wave hunters.

In the near future we are going to develop a solution to make this technology available to every shaper and manufacturer across the world. We benefit from our large industry network that enables us to have fins manufactured locally. This helps everyone to reduce shipping costs and reduce the footprints we leave on our planet.

Right now we already ship the first 3D manufactured river surf middle fin that is based on sustainable resources such as castor oil.

Give It a Shot: 10% Discount for Riverbreak Readers

We teamed up with our friends from Riverbreak Magazine and offer a 10% discount for 1 month by using the promo code WEHEARTRVRBRK on www.hidrosurf.de. So, go visit our online shop and order a HIRDO fin for your board and feel the difference!

Looking forward to everything that’s coming and we are thrilled about every input, support, likes & shares. We are the drifters and dreamers. The wave-hunters. The pirates & poets. The lovers, the risk takers, the change-makers. #HIDRO

The post HIDRO – Fins for River Surfers appeared first on Riverbreak.

With a weight of just 1,5 kg the rack is strong enough to carry a board of up to 9ft length and 12 kg. All material used is of solid, rust-free metal.

Once you have screwed the hitch to the seat post you simply connect the rack and board by hand in just one go – no tools required. After your surf session simply take off the rack with the board still attached – no parts will stick out or bother you then.

For more info and pics check out www.surf-rack.de

Enjoy your ride!

The post Surf-Rack: Surfboard Carrier for Bicycles appeared first on Riverbreak.

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25% off on all Green Flex fins at NU.ART surfstuff – This offer is only valid until stock lasts, so be quick and grab yourself some spare fins!

FCS Green Flex fins are made of a new composite fin material made from post-consumer waste. This special material is engineered to replicate the flex and memory of a traditional fibreglass fin, even closer than the current Glass Flex composite.

The performance of the new Green Flex material has been validated by many top tier FCS team riders, along with retailers, and members of the wider surfing community. The FCS Green Flex fins provide incredible response and a positive feel across a wide range of conditions and board models. So, does your river surfboard already have Green Flex fins?

The post Save on FCS Fins for River Surfing appeared first on Riverbreak.

The Spiral Cord Leash 5ft by B Accessories is a brand new gadget specifically tailored for river surfers. The idea of the spiral cord: less drag gives you less resistance in the water. The spiral cord of this 5ft leash allows faster gliding and higher airs. Though the leash is not limited to river surfing, it’s the first leash which takes into account the special needs of river surfers.

Like any other leash, the B Accessories’ leash saves you from a long swim, unless you’re fancy paddling down the river for miles. Also, the spiral cord prevents your leash from getting tangled around the sometimes scary stuff (trees, branches) that floats down the river, especially after heavy rainfalls and floods (in other words: “at river surfers’ big wave time”).

Some river surf spots are equipped with ropes (mounted on a bridge spanning the river) which could easily get tangled around the leash — a serious risk which could catch surfers in the wave or currents, leaving them little chance to escape (except by pulling the release strap). Thanks to the spiral cord, this leash minimises the risk of getting caught inside the wave. Also, the spiral cord benefits more advanced river surfers as it is less intrusive (dreaded leg wrap problem) and as such allows for more agility when performing tricks and faster turns.

B Accessories Spiral Cord Leash

• Padded EVA strap
• Large quick release ring
• Double swivel
• Railsaver
• Length: 5ft
• Thickness: 6mm spiral cord

Get your river leash either at B Accessories or Blue Tomato

B Accessories 5 ft River Surf Leash at B Accessories Online Shop

B Accessories 5ft River Surf Leash at Blue Tomato

The post Spiral Cord River Surf Leash 5ft/6mm by B Accessories appeared first on Riverbreak.