Surfing Waves

Hi guys, I'm Victor from Boston. I'm new in surfing but I like it.

Surfers, by that I mean surfers in the traditional sense... ocean waves, standard surf boards, no boat, do not wear life vests. At least not any that I have ever seen. They have to deal with riptides, coral reefs, much larger and unpredictable waves and traveling much faster than wakesurfers.

So why do we feel the need to wear life vests and ridicule those don't wear them while wakesurfing?

Our wakesurf waves are tiny by comparision, we're going much slower, and we have a boat with friends on board right there in case something happens. The only thing I can come up with is maybe a law?

I'm not trying to argue that life vests don't save lives. I'm simply wondering if the rationale for wearing life vests while wakeboarding has been accepted blindly for wakesurfing without really assessing the risk involved.

Welcome pheisare
Most likely a boating law, and an extension of water skiing laws!
The French Government tried to enforce personal flotation devices but failed, most of the giant wave crew use flotation devices.

River surfers are advised to use PFAs , helmets and specific waist belts to attach their leash.

I know nothing about wakesurfing so please take my opinion with a huge pint of salt.

- wake surf is much faster as you're being towed. More risk of getting knocked unconcious. Say if you run into jetski, boat, obstacle.
- wakesurfing person might have less paddle endurance and further out the ocean say if you get lost and you need to swim back to the shore.
- its much easier to spot someone in a bright orange vest from a boat when you fall off.
- I fell off one of those towed inflatable once and i was thrown around like a tumble dryer, if i didn't have my lifevest. I wouldn't even know which way is up and down.

If I see a surfer with goggles, swim cap or helmet, then I think they are a kook. I try and stay away from kook because I don't want to get injured. I don't think I've seen one with a life vest yet and I don't think that would be a great idea especially if you have to duck dive.

Question: do wakesurfers NEVER set foot in the boat ?

What if I, a normal surfer was paddling around for fitness in the river or bay, saw a boat come by and said " hey throw me out a rope ". Got towed around a bit, then let go and was off on my merrily way. Do you think the operator would say" No, I can't tow you, you need a vest."