C-Forum

Where can you purchase the helmets and pull over vests used for slalom racing?

Thanks

Chuck Incognito

Chuck:

The Wild Water Competition helmet that Davey Hearn sells ($50) is a nice slalom helmet (see www.daveyhearn.com ).

For PFDs try Dana Chladek's Rapidstyle (see www.rapidstyle.com ). However, you'll find that the low profile vests developed for freestyle paddling that are available from most commercial paddling outfitters are also fine for slalom racing - the pullover aspect of a typical slalom vest is not a critical feature, side entry vests with zippers work fine too. The most important thing is to get a vest that doesn't impede your paddling motion, which nowadays is a pretty common feature of most good vests.

John