CARAPACE- High Impact, Upper body, water sport protection

red dot
red dot award: design concept 2008

design:

Scott Parker

The CARAPACE High Impact Upper Body Water Sport Protection is a vest specifically designed for big wave surfers and wakeboarders.
 

The CARAPACE High Impact Upper Body Water Sport Protection was developed as research found that there was a want and need for highly durable, functional, protective and aesthetically pleasing gear for wakeboarding and big wave surfing. Inspiration for the final design came from research into anatomical configuration, natural exoskeletons, and science fiction armour.
 

The CARAPACE was designed to perfectly fit the body and flex and compress with the rider. There is extra padding on the chest of the vest so an unconscious rider floats face up with his or her face out of the water. Specific injury points on the body, such as the ribs, lower back and upper spine, are protected without restricting movement. The buckle-up entry and exit system also pulls the lower back panel in against the user to improve posture and stops the vest sliding up on impact.
 

For the CARAPACE to look protective without looking bulky and heavy, material consideration played a huge part in the design process. The final design consists of plush lined neoprene against the skin and moulded EVA foam laminated with LYCRA®/spandex making up the overall form.