One of the best things about the Red Bull King Of The Air is the wipeouts! Even the riders admit it, but after a string of harder than average crashes, organisers have decided its time to ask each rider to strap on a lil' padding.

Impact Vests are mandatory in the 2017 Red Bull King Of The Air, mostly due to Lewis Crathern's unbelievable crash last year. Leaving him unconscious in the water, with other riders needing to disconnect his kite and drag him in to shore. Experts say that with a vest on, perhaps some of his injuries could have been prevented (he was in a pretty bad way, and spend MONTHS in hospital!). Watch the video below to see it.

So what is an impact vest? Not your average yellow and red life jacket that's for sure! Made from space-age foams and gels, impact vests are very slim in profile, but absorb impact from the water. Some are designed to spread load, some break surface tension, and NONE of them look dorky.

Watch out for your favourite pro looking a little beefier than normal in this years King Of The Air, and if you yourself are trying some tricks. Perhaps it's time to chat with your local shop staff about what's on offer to save your ribs?

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