Be Seen: Why Bright Gear Beats a Black Wetsuit on the River

Armstrong Signal Pink, parawing downwinding at Rufus, Oregon. You can’t miss it. Photo: Bob Stawicki.

By T.J. Gulizia

On a good day the Columbia is packed: foilers, wingers, kiters, windsurfers, paddlers and eFoilers, all moving fast and in every direction.

The easiest safety upgrade you can make costs less than a tank of gas. Wear something bright.

A Sea of Black

Most of us ride in black wetsuits, and on dark, choppy water with whitecaps everywhere, a black wetsuit almost disappears. Add a bright hat, helmet or top and you stand out instantly.

It matters in two big ways:

• Traffic. Riders crossing, jibing and coming downwind at speed need to see you early to give you room.
• If things go wrong. If you’re swimming, separated from your gear or waiting for help, bright colors are what your buddies, the folks on shore and boat crews will spot first.

A great crew, all in black. A bright cap or top would make each of them easy to pick out on the water.

Now compare: one bright orange top and you can pick this SUP foiler out from across the river. Photo: Bob Stawicki.

Start at the Top

Your head is the part of you that’s above the water the most, especially when you’re swimming. A bright hat or helmet is the single best place to start.

Hats and bump caps

• Armstrong 5 Panel Water Cap in Signal Pink
• Armstrong 5 Panel Bump Cap in Pink (a cap with impact padding built in)
• Armstrong Bucket Bump Cap in Signal Pink (sun coverage plus padding)
• K88K Lab Breakwater Bucket in Clinton Pink or Bright Leopard (impact shell, wide brim and a magnetic flip visor)
• K88K Lab Breakwater Trucker 2.0 in Dayglow Green
• Arntson Marine Cabana WindSun Hat in True Red: a wide brim that stays put in big wind, and it floats if it ever comes off.
• Buoy Wear Floating Snap Back in Red: a trucker that floats, from our friend Mike Gibbons right across the river in White Salmon.

Tom Woodward in a pink cap: no trouble spotting him. Photo: Bob Stawicki.

Helmets

• Forward WIP Wipper 2.0 in Hi-Viz (or Shiny Orange)
• Forward WIP Prowip 2.0 in Matte Red
• ION Slash Core Helmet in Lime Alert

Then Light Up Your Torso

Your top layer is the biggest patch of color you’ve got. Go bright over the wetsuit, or instead of it on warm days.

• Armstrong UPF Top in Signal Pink: the long sleeve sun shirt from the photo up top. Light, UPF 50+, with thumb loops to keep the sleeves down.
• Armstrong Hooded UPF Top in Signal Pink: the same shirt with a hood for sun cover on your head and neck.
• Florence Marine X Hooded Rashguard in Rescue Red: hood, UPF and color in one.
• ION Promo Short Sleeve Rashguard in bright blue: light, UPF sun protection, and a Slip_Loop to keep it tucked in.
• Prolimit Watersport T-Shirt in Yellow or Orange: the cheapest visibility upgrade in the shop. Throw it on over your wetsuit.
• ION Collision Core Impact Vest in Gold-Burst: impact protection with color.
• Duotone Kite Vest Seat in Dark Grey/Lime: full front and back impact protection, made to wear with a seat harness.
• Mustang Survival Vibe Life Vest in Red: USCG-approved, with a whistle. Required on an eFoil, and a smart choice for paddling.

Neon yellow over black boardshorts: simple, cheap and impossible to miss. Photo: Bob Stawicki.

Tip: pull a bright hood over your helmet. It’s way more visible than a black helmet. Yellow hooded top and life vest on the LiftX. Drone: Dan Gavere.

Quick Tips

• Pick colors that pop on water: fluorescent yellow, orange, pink and red. Blue, green, grey and black blend right in.
• Bright goes on top. Put the color on your outer layer and your head, the parts people actually see.
• Ride with a buddy, and tell someone on shore your plan and when you’ll be back.
• Winter counts too. A bright waterproof windbreaker over your hooded wetsuit adds visibility and an extra layer of warmth.

Even in the winter months, a bright waterproof windbreaker over my 5/4 hooded wetsuit works well for visibility and adds a layer of warmth.

Come by the shop and we’ll help you find your color. See you on the water!

T.J. Gulizia is a co-owner of Big Winds in Hood River, Oregon. Come by 207 Front Street or call 541-386-6086.

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