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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Coppell, TX
    Posts
    31

    Default Ear plugs while wakeboarding?

    My son crashed and got water in his ear and it was very painful for him, and now he is a little shy about getting after it. Does anyone use earplugs to prevent water getting into the ear while crashing?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Roseville, CA
    Posts
    1,295

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mathp View Post
    My son crashed and got water in his ear and it was very painful for him, and now he is a little shy about getting after it. Does anyone use earplugs to prevent water getting into the ear while crashing?
    I just ordered my Hyperlite helmet today with ear pads to help prevent this from happening. I got thrown down about 22 MPH last week and it rang my bell, I am actually surprised I did not get a concussion. Guess I will be known as the Helmet guy, but at 37 years old I need to keep going to work.

    I am planning on my kids wearing a helmet from this point on, not only for the ear protection but preventing concussions and contact with the board.

    www.boardco.com has the Hyperlites for $59, they are really comfortable and nice helmets.
    White/Charcoal, 2011 VLX
    2008 Supra 22SSV

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Northern Colorado
    Posts
    1,593

    Default

    We aren't much into wakeboarding around here, but my wife is a competitive hydrofoiler.

    She ALWAYS wears a helmet - mostly for ear protection.

    She uses Pro-Tec, but I hear good things about the www.shredready.com helmets
    too.

    Todd
    2008 24 SSV, Gravity Games Edition.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Minocqua, WI
    Posts
    47

    Default

    When I started wakeboarding I caught the front edge real bad and everyone in the boat was saying, "do that again, you're doing awesome"...I did it again alright...another whiplash faceplant...I remember getting in the boat and the next thing I remember I was in my kitchen. This was on a simple wake to wake jump.

    I'm 43 now and honestly I still only wear a helmet if I'm trying something new.

    I've also heard of water skiers blowing eardrums by hitting the water just right. So yeah, probably the responsible thing to do.
    02 Sunsport 22V-Roswell Tower

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Roseville, CA
    Posts
    1,295

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tg0824SSVGG View Post
    We aren't much into wakeboarding around here, but my wife is a competitive hydrofoiler.

    She ALWAYS wears a helmet - mostly for ear protection.

    She uses Pro-Tec, but I hear good things about the www.shredready.com helmets
    too.

    Todd
    Is the hydro foiler the "air chair", a buddy from work brought his on the boat the other day and it was a kick to watch him. That is one crazy contraption, I am just glad he did not drop it on my boat when he threw it in the water that is not a light unit!
    White/Charcoal, 2011 VLX
    2008 Supra 22SSV

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Northern Colorado
    Posts
    1,593

    Default

    Yes, Air Chair is a brand, so is Sky Ski - which is what is most popular these days.

    Here is my wife at Lake Powell on hers: (this is a grandma!)

    2008 24 SSV, Gravity Games Edition.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Lawrenceville, GA
    Posts
    112

    Default

    My son has ruptured his ear drum several times wake boarding. The only times he wore a helmet was during The Collegiate Slider Slam Tournament where they were required to wear helmets...I guess they thought jumping onto fixed rails while wake boarding presented a slight danger. HA! The other was when he was first learning to do flips. Not enough rotation usually equates to water being forced into the ear canal at a high reate of speed.

    His helmet also had ear flaps on it that did protect the ear. A good thing.

    If your son is hesitant about getting back out there buy him a good wake board DVD. That should get the blood pumping again!

    Scott

    tg0824SSVGG...great pic! That's crazy!!!
    2006 Supra Launch 21V

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    3,112

    Default

    Okay I TOTALLY remember reading a wakeworld thread a while back written by a doctor who started a small company making water-sports specific earplugs and they were not expensive. I can't find that thread right now, but here are a couple others I found searching ww for 'earplugs'.

    http://www.macksearplugs.com/aquablo...d-earplugs.htm
    http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/swimandwatpr.html
    --WakeMikeys 1987 Supra SunSport--
    Thread - https://forum.supraboats.com/showthread.php?t=3630
    Photo Gallery - http://photos.wakeboarder.com/showga.../35518/cat/500
    Videos - http://www.vimeo.com/user2034462/videos
    Follow me on Twitter @WakeMikey

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Central Virginia
    Posts
    160

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SZEH View Post
    My son has ruptured his ear drum several times wake boarding. The only times he wore a helmet was during The Collegiate Slider Slam Tournament where they were required to wear helmets...I guess they thought jumping onto fixed rails while wake boarding presented a slight danger. HA! The other was when he was first learning to do flips. Not enough rotation usually equates to water being forced into the ear canal at a high reate of speed.

    His helmet also had ear flaps on it that did protect the ear. A good thing.

    If your son is hesitant about getting back out there buy him a good wake board DVD. That should get the blood pumping again!

    Scott

    tg0824SSVGG...great pic! That's crazy!!!
    I am 41 and too old to be wakeboarding, but still luv it. I ruptured my ear drum two months ago with a nasty fall behind my boat. I am still in some pain. I do blame my wife. (My logic is, she was towing me and should have known that I am too old and fragile and should have talked me out of boarding.) Although she does not buy my logic.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Roseville, CA
    Posts
    1,295

    Default

    The best helmet out there right now is a Gath, they have built in ear cups that you can remove or open and close with a turnable swivel. They fit your head like a glove, I wore one of my friends last week and I am bummed out I did not know about these before I ordered my Hyperlite. I might just break down and order one because they fit that good.

    Here is the link...

    http://www.gathsports.com/productsingle.php?id=5

    Good luck!
    White/Charcoal, 2011 VLX
    2008 Supra 22SSV

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