Jake M's Rescue at Grand Haven Beach

Jake M has seen his fair share of kiteboarding blows. Last summer, after winds had topped around 30-knots, Jake ran to the beach for his "lunch break". Not only did the wind die, but he ended up having to swim a quarter of a mile back to shore as a result. With a rip current and five-to-eight-foot waves to fight against and no floatation vest, Mitchell found himself red-faced, short of breath and wishing that he had worn a vest. 

What Jake Recommends

Since my incident last summer, I've found myself rethinking my approach to kiting, shifting from a very cavalier, "What's the worst that can happen?" to making sure I'm properly prepared for it. Do I always wear a flotation vest now? No way, they still feel too bulky! I do now wear one anytime the wind is above 22-25 knots or if I'm out surfing. When something goes wrong in medium to larger surf, a flotation vest can be a serious lifesaver. Many of these vests also serve as impact protection, as well as providing some additional core warmth. Having had my surfboard get behind my a few times in the break, it feels good to have some extra padding in the torso as it missiles towards me. My favorite vest is the Liquid Force Supreme, providing a good amount of flotation while still sporting a slim fit. Plus, the chest padding helps prevent waist harnesses from riding up.

Liquid Force Supreme Vest

The Liquid Force Supreme vest is poised to be a shop favorite at MACkite for 2016 season. With a cut similar to the LF Luxury and Comp harnesses from previous years, the Supreme stays with winning formula while infusing a bit of panache. The vest features a moderate foam filling for impact protection and confidence-building flotation. Best of all, it's fully reversible, allowing the vest to be worn as either black or blue. Also available in black/green.

NP High Hook Vest

The NP High Hook vest is a high-performance vest that will keep you lookin' stylish, feeling agile, and more importantly, alive. This vest is cut to fit with a harness, and the buoyancy foam is so comfortable you're likely to forgot you're even wearing it. The High Hook vest also features a front pocket for storage, and is CE 50 approved. Also available in red and yellow.