There are dangers regardless of where you surf and no matter how big. Big wave surfing just happens to amplify the dangers. Getting held under forever or getting smashed on the reef or rocks can be all the more likely in big waves, regardless of the water depth. To accommodate for the greater risk of injury, helmets, life jackets, and organized rescue systems involving PWCs with rescue boards are used at the biggest spots like Jaws, Maverick’s, Teahupoo, and Cortez Bank, and pretty much everywhere these days.
Life Jackets
After going down on a big wave, the surfer’s number one concern is figuring out where the surface is and getting to it fast. After tumbling in the deep and dark water, surfers often get discombobulated as to which way is up. Big wave surfers often wear life jackets to bring them quickly to the surface and keep them afloat. The downside of a life vest is when it keeps a surfer up when he wants to go down, which can be just as dangerous as getting held under. For this reason and because of the difficulties a life jacket can create when paddling, they are used most often in tow-in surfing rather than traditional paddling. Still, in some of the biggest spots, and more specifically shallower spots, life jackets are worn regularly. With so many crossover water sports, life jackets are available from a variety of companies, but specific surf designs are ideal. Big companies like Quicksilver, Billabong, Rip Curl, and Dakine all have life jackets, while O’Neil may offer the best selection of surfing-specific vests, with several different styles of vests that provide specific armhole sizes for paddling, safety release buckles for quick release, and mesh areas to drain out excess water.
Helmets
Even though the need for helmets seems readily apparent, especially in places like Teahupoo where waves break in as little as three feet of water, they still are not as common on big waves as life jackets. One thing that has increased the use of helmets on big waves, other than the desire to be safe, is helmet cameras. Cameras fastened to helmets allow great video from inside the barrels of the world’s biggest waves. Gath Helmets, based out of Margaret River, Australia, is the dominant manufacturer of surf helmets. Gath’s specific designs for surfers and other water sports are a better option than other helmets, as they are designed to protect the wearer in a water-specific environment that can involve ongoing danger after an initial impact. Since 1988, they have been perfecting their design to create a close-fitting helmet that provides impact protection for getting smashed or tossed in big waves and thick whitewash. Their newer designs come complete with a camera built into the side, or offer mounting options for a separate camera. These helmets usually range anywhere from $100 to $150, depending on the accessories you select.
Rescue Boards
The coordinated rescue efforts that involve a PWC (Personal Watercraft) typically involve a rescue board towed off the back. The main purpose of the rescue board is to give surfers in the water something quick and easy to grab hold of so they can spend as little time as possible in the impact zone and make a clean getaway. Rather than just holding onto the back of the PWC, a surfer can quickly pull himself—and his board, if there is time—up onto the rescue board and get away fast. The Wahoo LifeSled is the leader in big wave surfing rescue boards, and their kits, complete with PWC hardware connections, range from $900 to $2,000.
