Why is protective gear important?
Water sports are often associated with “freedom” and spontaneity – but the reality is that injuries are common, especially without proper protective equipment. It’s not just about extreme conditions or tricks, but everyday falls, impacts, and fatigue that can quickly lead to injuries.
With well-chosen protective gear, you can protect the most vulnerable parts of the body: head, back, ribs, knees, and hips, and thus avoid potential injuries.
1. KITEBOARDING
Beginners:
Common injuries: impacts with the board during falls, hard landings, tripping over equipment.
Recommended gear:
> Impact vest: protects ribs, provides extra flotation in deep water
> Helmet: protection from head impacts with the board or hard objects
> Impact shorts: extra protection for hips, thighs, and lower back
Advanced & Pro riders:
Common injuries: high-speed water crashes, falls in shallow water, impacts with the board, beach crashes, etc.
> A combination of helmet + impact vest is almost essential at higher levels of kiting – protection and confidence when trying new tricks, where crashes are an important part of progress.
> Mystic Surf Impact Under Vest is a popular choice – slim fit, maximum freedom of movement. Suitable to wear both under and over a wetsuit.
2. WING FOILING / KITE FOILING
Beginners:
Foil is sharp and dangerous. Falling on the foil or board is common!
Injuries: ribs, knees, head, hips.
Recommended gear:
> Helmet: the most recommended piece of gear
> Impact vest: protection from impacts and additional flotation
> Knee pads: especially for beginners who spend a lot of time kneeling on the board
Advanced & Pro riders:
> Even advanced foil riders wear impact vests – not just for protection but also for added flotation.
> Helmet is absolutely recommended, since we deal with sharp foil parts, which can be dangerous for the head – especially in strong wind or crowded water.
3. WINDSURF
Most injuries occur during falls while attempting turns or jumps, when the sail pulls you and you can hit the boom.
Impacts: to the ribs, head.
Recommended gear:
> Impact vest: protects the ribs and upper spine
> Helmet: protects the head from hits with the boom and other equipment or objects on the water or beach
Tips:
> Most people wear vests primarily for protection and comfort, as it increases confidence when learning new maneuvers.
> During high-speed maneuvers, a vest and helmet can save you from serious injury.
> A vest helps during water starts, especially in light wind.
4. WAKEBOARDING
Beginners:
Falls from height into water or impacts on park features – most common injuries are to the head and back.
Recommended and mandatory gear:
> Helmet (mandatory!)
> Impact vest (mandatory!)
> Impact pants – not mandatory, but recommended for learning in the park or on sliders
Advanced & Pro:
> Aggressive tricks, rotations, riding sliders → greater risk of injuries
> A good vest and helmet are essential
Injuries:
Statistics (and practice) show:
> Beginners often suffer from impacts, falls, and lack of control.
> Advanced riders take risks due to speed, height, and trick complexity.
> Professionals wear protective gear even with experience – because they know exactly what’s at stake.
Most common injuries:
> Head (concussions, hits with foil or board)
> Ribs and chest (from falls on water or on the board)
> Knees (from hard landings, abrasions when kneeling on a wing board)
> Lower back and hips (from hard landings)
Mystic: safety, design, performance
Mystic has been a leading brand in the world of water sports for years. Their impact gear is:
> Tested by professional riders
> Ergonomically designed
> Lightweight, flexible, and functional
> Certified according to standards:
✅ What to look for when choosing protective gear?
> Fit: gear should be snug but comfortable (especially vests).
> Materials: neoprene lining, quick-drying, reinforced seams.
> Intended use: wake? foil? kite? – each sport has specific needs.
> Compatibility with other gear: e.g. vest with harness
safety = confidence = progress
With protective gear, you don’t just protect your body – you gain confidence, progress faster, and above all, enjoy the sport without fear.
Whether you're taking your first steps with a kite, learning your first jibes with a wing, or jumping sliders with a wakeboard – protection is not optional. It's essential.
Check out our selection of Mystic Impact gear at www.infinitysport.si!
If you have any additional questions or need advice, feel free to contact us or visit our physical store in Nova Gorica. The Infinity Sport team will be happy to help you choose the best gear for your needs!
Stay safe on the water!
Infinity Sport TEAM
Contacts:
email: info@infinitysport.net
tel.: +386 40 528 328
