Nowadays, most kayak and water sport helmets are designed specifically for the unique challenges of rushing rapids.

Turner’s father, Gil, looked into the incident and caused some of the most pivotal changes in helmet regulation in the twenty-first century. In 2006, the talented paddler Lucas Turner, aged twenty-two, flipped his kayak and was instantly killed by a fatal hit to the forehead. Though the sport is generally safe, one unfortunate death caused a grieving father to take a closer look into the safety helmet industry.

According to some measures, nearly 200 out of every 100,000 participants faced serious injury after a kayaking trip went south.įrothy, constantly moving waves easily hide jagged rocks, trees, roots, and other debris that can send even the most experienced kayaker flying. Meanwhile, serious and life changing head injuries happen with an even higher incidence. One average, fifty per year since the later seventies have died worldwide due to unfortunate whitewater kayaking incidents. Of course, just because the sport is popular, doesn’t mean it’s always safe. Huge swells of powerful, brisk rapids continually call water sport enthusiasts of all levels to try their hand at the sport. Since the sport took off in the early eighties, more than ten million individuals worldwide have tried their hand at whitewater kayaking and rafting.

Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Kayak Helmet?.

Choose the Helmet with a Retention System.

Shred Ready Standard Fullface Whitewater Helmet

Helmet guy kayaking huge ocean waves