Neoprene vests must fit snug when dry. They will stretch when wet! Neoprene is naturally warm, but if it is too loose, it wont keep you safe and will not provide any warmth. Nylon vests should meet right at the buckles and not overlap.

As fun as water-skiing may be, it is still a sport that comes with its share of dangers. To that end, it is imperative to wear a life jacket as a preventive measure. This rule should apply to any individual on a boat, regardless of whether or not they actually participate in the water-skiing. For that reason at Water Ski World, we offer a wide selection of life jackets, including models for adults, children, infants and even dogs!

 Life Jacket and PFD
The term life jacket and Life preserver are different terms but understood my most people to mean the same. Technically, a life jacket should be the Type I jacket used for open water rescue, but most people use the term interchangeably. Type II PFD defining the vests for water sports such as boating, sailing, canoeing, rafting, or kayaking inland bays, lakes and rivers. Type III vests normally do not have a head rest and are used for water sports inland, Type IV is either a flotation cushions or rings and Type V PFD can be a special purpose life jacket or vest that must be used according to the warning instructions on the label. such as a special purpose wakeboarding life vest which has minimal flotation. The neoprene material used in some TYPE III pfd vests (when fitted right), provides some warmth in cold water which makes neo vests popular for water sports.

click for more info on the USCG approval system

Life Vests
As its name implies, a life vest is designed to save lives. Water-sports such as water-skiing or wakeboarding come with a number of risks that can be minimized if a life vest is worn. This isn't limited to the participants, but also the individuals riding on the boat. Nevertheless, it is essential to purchase the right life jacket, as wearing one that doesn't fit correctly or is of lesser quality can deeply affect its effectiveness.

Water Ski World--Quality Life Vests
Quality life vests are not designed to fit everyone. Body types are different (especially between men and women) and it is important to choose one that is designed to fit you correctly. In fact, not only do manufacturers offer life vests of different sizes, but they also differentiate between those for men and women. Similarly, children shouldn't simply wear a "smaller size" -- they should wear one that is designed to fit a child's body.

Most retail outlets simply focus on selling products. Finding a sales assistant that actually knows something about their products (aside from its price and what is simply written on the product description) is rare. Nevertheless, at Water Ski World, our experts have over 30 years of experience in the industry and know every in and out of the products we sell. Whether you are looking for a life vest for yourself, your infant, your child, or even your dog, our experience will ensure you get exactly what you need.

Life Preservers
There is a significant difference between life preservers and life jackets (or vests). A life jacket is something that is typically worn and fits snugly around a person's body. Life preservers, on the other hand, are floating cushions or rings that are thrown into the water and then held onto in order to stay afloat.

Life Preservers--A Secondary Precaution
In truth, anyone participating in any type of water-sport should wear a life jacket. This even includes the individuals who are simply sitting on the boat watching as their friends or family are dragged behind them on their water-skis. Nevertheless, keep a life preserver.

Choosing a Life Jacket or LifeVest
When choosing a life jacket or lifevest, finding the right fit is essential. Most modern designs allow more space around the arms so that water-skiing movement is not limited. Nevertheless, the life jacket should still fit snugly if you want it to remain effective. Made of either neoprene or nylon, we offer numerous models from top manufacturers including Quiksilver, Roxy, Connelly, Kidder, Body Glove, Nevin

Life jackets are cut specifically for either women or men, and sizing is typically based on a chest measurement. Most life jackets have a similar generic design aside from their color patterns. On the other hand, Nevin life jackets are styled with a molded SWAT look that is growing in popularity. Although we maintain an extensive inventory of all our life jacket models, it is sometimes useful to call ahead to ensure that we have certain specific styles.

First hand experience and a dedication to quality customer service is what distinguishes us from our competition. At Water Ski World, we have been in business for over 30 years and are run by individuals who actually practice and love the sport of water-skiing and its numerous off-shoots. To that end, we are capable of answering questions about all of the life jackets we carry based on our own personal experiences--thus providing you with the most useful and accurate information prior to your purchase. Why take a chance purchasing an item from a big box company whose staff has no knowledge of the sport? Our experts know every detail of the equipment we sell and are capable of answering questions such as: the differences in fit between life jacket manufacturers or the advantages and disadvantages of choosing neoprene versus nylon.

For wakeboarding, waterskiing, white water rafting, kayaking, and other watersports requiring a lot of movement, a popular combination is a high mobility USCGA approved neoprene life vest combined with a high mobility neoprene wet suit. The wetsuit itself provides a little flotation and protection from cold water, and when combined with a neo vest, provides warmth and safety. For more extreme sports like kayaking in cold whitewater, a USCGA approved vest can be combined with a dry-lite suit.

Standards are different between each country regarding Cost Guard approval of vests. The USA has the highest standards compared to other countries, therefore a USCGA vest will protect you better than a vest with an approval label from another country. Laws vary. For example, in Canada, the kayaking rental agencies cannot rent you a vest with a USCGA label. By law, they can only rent vests with a Canadian Coast Guard approved label. The law only affect rental agencies, so it is acceptable to buy your own vest in the USA to make sure it fits, and bring it with you when you travel. This saves you money and provides you with the best fit and protection. Most people buy their own equipment for skiing; why not prepare your water sports vacations the same way?

Our extensive expertise is not the only thing that sets us apart from the competition, we also offer unparalleled customer service. Our specialists can be reached by phone or email. Unlike the competition that tries to hide the contact phone number so you will be forced to use email or a web contact form, we publish our toll free phone number on every page or our web site.