After five years in development, this spring Patagonia’s version of a self-inflating big wave surfing vest will be sold to the public and for licensing by other companies — but there’s a catch.
Only surfers who’ve completed a big wave safety course by the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group and who undergo a training with Patagonia may buy the patented vest, which will be sold at Patagonia stores in Ventura, California and Haleiwa, Hawaii. Patagonia will also donate licensing fees from the technology to Punta de Lobos Por Siempre, an effort by Ramon Navarro and Save the Waves to protect the Chilean big wave spot Punta de Lobos.
Technology like Patagonia’s has been revolutionizing big wave surfing for several years, but has generally only been available to elite big wave riders. Shane Dorian and Billabong were the first to develop an inflatable vest in 2011, followed by Patagonia the next year and Quiksilver, who teamed up with Aqua Lung, to make their own version in 2015.
“Big wave riders all over the world are pushing the limits of what’s possible – surfing the biggest waves in the most powerful surf the oceans can offer,” said Patagonia’s Director of Surf, Jason McCaffrey, in a press release. “The PSI Vest has already played a huge role in giving surfers the confidence to take the sport of big wave surfing to the next level.”
Patagonia’s inflatable vest is designed to be worn underneath wetsuits of many styles. It allows surfers to inflate CO2 cartridges multiple times and release the air from the vest.
Some big wave chargers have learned the hard way, though, that flying with CO2 cartridges adds another dimension to surf travel. The FAA officially allows travelers to carry up to four cartridges no larger than 50ml of compressed CO2 in a checked bag, with airline approval. But the logistics of travel are only a concern if you’re able to get a vest in the first place.
Along with the maturation of inflatable vest technology comes the predictable debate about whether it’s ethical to sell it to the public. Will the vests make big wave riding safer? Or will it make it more dangerous because surfers will be encouraged to take greater risks?
By requiring surfers to have some big wave safety training, Patagonia is at least being somewhat selective about who gets their hands on their product.
“We invested heavily in testing and refining the PSI Vest, and sought feedback from hundreds of the best surfers in the world, in order to bring to market the best product possible,” McCaffrey said. “The PSI Vest will help reduce the risks involved in riding the world’s biggest waves, and I’m excited that licensing fees from our extensive R&D work will be another tool we can use to help protect coastal ecosystems.”
