Forward Water Impact Vest

The Water Impact Protection (WIP) vest by FORWARD Sailing offers great comfort and protection for serious sailors, including kite surfers and windsurfers, as well as white water & SUP  paddlers. This WIP vest has a close-fitting. low profile design that offers great mobility and a large range of motion.  Everyday benefits include:  Ability to swim faster, re-board capsized boat easier, increased range of motion and increased distribution of padding for better impact protection.  The Forward WIP Impact Vest is designed to be compatible with Sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing harnesses as well as Forward WIP Tops, Pants and Smocks.  Their low profile design is easy to fit under windbreakers and lycra rashguards.

Features:
*thermo molded high density foam padding at strategic locations
* Side-Zip w/ adjustable webbing strap closure system,
* Special neoprene “anti-slip” strips inside prevent vest from “riding-up”,
* High Visibility Shoulder panels and Pockets for small tools or lip balm and/or a safety hook knife,
* Zippered pocket on the front for small tools & sun protection,
* Pocket on back for storage.  (Back pocket was used by Team Artimus to carry VHF Radios wired to their helmets).

*Side Pads on the Med , Large, and X-Large Sizes

Vest Options:  A chest mounted “Spare Air” sleeve or  VHF radio pouch, and a rope cutter safety knife that can fit in a specific knife slot built into the vest.

Flotation: Please note that this FWD Water Impact Vest is not a life jacket and is not US Coast Guard approved as a personal flotation device. It does comply with EN393/A1 and ISO 12402-5 50Newton Euro standard (50N = approx 15lbs of positive flotation).  Note: This Forward impact vest is not dis-allowed for use by USCG nor by NAHCA. Additionally, it has been ruled by NAHCA that using vests that meet the Euro 50N Standard is not a protestable infraction.

Buoyancy aids do not reduce the risk of drowning. They do not guarantee that the user will be saved. This product is for adults that know how to swim. Effective performance may be hindered by the use of waterproof clothing or modifications.

Special Note & Vote of Confidence: Forward WIP Impact Vests are used by many professional teams and is the choice for the Oracle team who used the Forward Water Impact vests in the Americas Cup.

Size:

Small: 70-90cm chest and rated for <50kg

XXL: >118cm chest and rated for >70kg