[fatlazyless]

Very informative post....thanks for posting it.


Say, I think it's appropriate for me to bring this up. For about 25-dollars, the Parafunalia Store in Gilford is the one and only place where I've seen these waterski or swimmer's belts that add a lot of safety for swimming the rough water or as a swimmer's helper. What greatly differentiates them from a normal pfd is that they greatly facilitate swimming because they center their buoyancy around the waist where it should be for ease and safety while swimming.

Highly recommended for swimming though waves, and made in one strap, or two strap models, depending on one's needs for floatation, they are sized s-m-l-xl. Better to get one that's too big, than too little, as the buckle can always be tightened up, and the larger models have more buoyancy. Unfortunately, Parafunalia only carries them in bright yellow color, and not in a white or some dark, less visible color. Me-thinks they would be more popular if available in a low key color like black or dark blue.

While a pfd is not designed to be a swimming aid, the waterski or swimmer's belt is an easy-to-wear swimmer's helper. If tired, one can always loosen the buckle and slide it up to just below your armpits, and take a rest without having to tread water. They add a very large margin of safety for swimming. While one cannot do any swimming while wearing a pfd, you can improve your swimming ability and safety by wearing the so-called waterski or swimmer's belt.

If it were up to me, I'd be changing the color from safety yellow to kahki and imprinting NAVY SEALS on the back .......U-RAH.......now's a good time for a 25-mile swim!