Who wears a CGA vest and who doesn't

who out there doesn't wear a CGA vest on waterways that require one to be wore? just wondering if it is really that big of a deal or not.}

I don't, JP A-10 outlaw all the way. There is a decent chance of getting a ticket if the police do an equipment check.

how much is the ticket? i have heard they hit you up with for a grand for every violation.

got a falcon a couple months ago...

road w/ it today, was floating like a charm, its great! i'd suggest it to anyone

i think its more like a $160 fine in washington.

What options for CGA vests are out there?

$70 fine in florida

Why would you not wear one? does it really slow you down that much?

I wear Jet Pilot Stance. It is comfy and is CGA. I have only used one Non CGA and it was a JP A-10 and it didn't float me very well. I had to work to keep my head above water. I didn't feel very safe in it.

Mine is a J/P Stance too. It even fits under my drysuit. I have rode w/o a jacket using only my drysuit as floatation, it does feel less restrictive, but if youre going big, ya better have a back up plan. its a long time before the boat comes back around.

cga always. Had too many skiing falls that saved me with one.

CGA, mostly because I ride in water with no visibility. Once you get used to it it's fine. 90 percent of my riding is passing the handle too.

I love the Jet Pilot Cellblock and the Hyperlite Parks, they are both CGA approved.

i ride an oneill vapor and i feels it flots me just fine. i compared it to my older cga vest and i floated maybe an inch or 2 deeper. that being sad i will probally get the oniell law when this vest wears out.

Try the Jet Pilot Murray Full Metal Jacket. We put everyone in them at the camp and everyone loves them.

If you are wearing an A-10 or even that vapor, I want you to do a little test for me next time you go out. Float in the water with your board off, don't move your arms and legs, and blow all your air out. I have yet to see one person whose head didn't go completely under water. Now think about being knocked out with one gulp of water in your lungs. It just doesn't make sense.

Most people don't think it is a big deal, but most people have not seen that type of situation with a rider knocked out. It is scary. And, most people in the boat freeze up in those situations. I see it on the tour a couple times a year. Without fail I am the first guy on the platform or in the water, and I am driving the boat. People just sit there in shock. It's really not worth the chance.

thanks everyone.. i think the CGA vest is the way to go.. what does everyone think about the LF CGA... are there any side entry CGA?

Quik Ignite. Love it. It's like wearing a t-shirt.

I wear a oniel outlaw and when I blow all my air out without my board it floats my mouth above the water

helium swat side entry cgas look tite!
im gonna get one for anyone else on the boat that wants a pretty nice jacket

go to overtons...search helium and you'll find it but don't take the mediums! i still have to order one

The JP Cell Block is a side-entry. I have one and love it. Buy it a size smaller though.

Never ridden in the JP Shaun Murray but when I tried one on at the Pro Shop it felt comfortable and not restrictive at all.

I considered a NonCGA but there's no way it's going to improve my riding and the comfort of the added flexability's not going to offset the discomfort of not feeling safe.

CGA is the only way to go when you are sitting in the water with a double compound fracture. I used to ride non-cga all the time, but thankfully switched over a few months before my injury. I'll never ride non CGA again.

At the beginning of the season the patrol always checks our boat for pfd's. If they find a uscga will you get a tivket or is it just if you're riding with one?

oops, I meant ticket.

only if your riding because they have no proof that you are using it as a pfd but they will warn you that its not legal to ride with if they notice its non uscg. my head floats above thew water with the vapor with all my air out

Texas doesn't require the rider to wear a vest at all, but mine is non CGA

i like ride with out a vest maybe just a wetsuit top

CGA all the way. The size difference in the CGA and the non-CGA vests is not worth the risk to me. Like Kenneth said, a smaller vest probably won't make me a better rider.

I dont rock a CGA vest, MN doesnt require one.

Could the elite wakeboarders in the world still break out their arsenal of tricks wearing a CGA vest?

To each his own, but for me, it's not the "vest" that will help or hinder my progression.......

CGA All The Way. For the ones who think your NCGA vest will float you, you are not testing it properly. Fill your lungs with water and see if it floats you then. Even when you think you exhale all your air, you still have about 10-20% still in there.

Rick,

I think they can, Josh Sanders and Colin Wright wear CGA Helium Vests

I wear a non-approved during the winter/spring when I'm wearing a heater top. The extra neoprene from the heater top helps to float me just fine. In the warmer months when the heater top isn't needed I wear an approved vest.

Something I found interesting was the other day when I was watching Nomads: Wakeboard Hero, on RUSH HD (Dish Network channel). This episode was focused on Andrew Atkison. During the shots of him riding on his off days, just fooling around with his friends, Andrew was wearing an approved vest. I thought that said something about the need for an approved vest when a pro wears one when he's just free riding.

Thanks Andy....yeh, I was being sarcastic, however didn't know which pros actually did wear them. My point was that I don't think it matters either way, iffin' you got the skillzzzz.... (I know my luck, and choose to wear The Law...)

I heard that if you wear a non-CGA vest, that it improves your switch riding tremendously!