Helmets and Ear Plugs

[OldSkier]

Subject: Head and ear protection for hard falls boarding or barefooting. Looking for advice on what others are using, and secondly, if you're aware of any Canadian sources.

Over the years I've damage (perforated) both my ear drums due to NO head/ear protection. Today, many folks are using protection to avoid this kind of damage. I need ear protection to prevent even more severe ear damage. However, I need a helmet that COVERS the ears. (Most head protection leaves the ear area open to allow unobstructed hearing.) Also, normal ear plugs could cause extensive damage in a hard fall, when the water impact tries to drive the ear plug further into the ear, compressing the air against the ear drum.

I've been doing searches to find out where to obtain ear plugs and helmets. So far, I've found that many Boarders use "Doc's Pro-Plugs". These have tiny vents to allow any compressed air to escape. (In Canada, these are available from ALL Star Sales & Service(allstarsales@bellnet.ca)

As for helmets, so far I've narrowed the search down to "Gath", and "Pro-tec (Darin Shapiro model). Both appear to offer ear protection, but I've been unable to find a Canadian distributor or sales outlet. I know I can do a US mail-order, but I like to "see" and "try on" before I buy.

Any suggestions or advice on other helmets in general, AND, where to obtain in Canada.

Thanks.

[Banks]

hey man i had a similiar problem a few summers back. I blew out 20% of my ear drum cuting a backroll of the double-up
so i went and got the darin shaprio helmet with ear pads and put in an ear plug, the hunting one that is foamy and i coated it with vasaline, i had no problems other than the doc being mad that i was getting in the water with a busted ear drum.
later man
http://hometown.aol.com/bankshf

[mlaurentz]

I ride w/ a capix wakecap, I like it because it's light and not bulky. Looks cool also. It has snap-out ear covers. Don't know about any Canadian dealers, but you could go on capixco.com and write them about dealers in your area.

[hanzj]

I'm definitely going to be getting a helmet of some sort this summer. I don't know about the ear plugs though. I like to hear the music while I ride. Plus I figure if the side of my head hits the water with a helmet on, it should move enough water to soften the blow. I just can't decide if I want a regulat helmet or a "cap".

[Banks]

whatever you get make sure it has ear covers of some sort. i blew out 20% of my ear drum wearing a helmet with out ear pads.