GATH helmets, certifications and protection: everything you need to know! We often receive questions from our customers about GATH™ helmets and this article is here to shed some light on the subject.
At Gath Sports, helmets are not just accessories. They are protective equipment. For over thirty years, GATH's mission has been simple and uncompromising: to protect the head in the world's most demanding aquatic environments, without compromising on comfort, performance, or style.
Why wearing a certified helmet is important:
Water sports are often perceived as "low-impact" activities. The reality is quite different. Surfboards, foils, rocks, reefs, boat hulls, masts, and high-speed collisions generate real and measurable impact forces. A certified helmet can mean the difference between a simple scare and a serious injury, or worse.
Certified helmets are designed, tested and approved for:
- Reduce the impact forces transmitted to the skull and brain
- Protect critical areas of the head
- To deliver consistent performance in real-world conditions
- Meet the strictest international safety standards
At Gath Sports, certification is not an option: it is essential.
Explanation of certifications:
Approved by Surf Life Saving Australia – Surf Life Saving Australia approval represents one of the highest standards in water safety. SLSA-approved helmets are tested in real-world rescue, surfing, and coastal environments, where conditions are unpredictable and risks are high. This approval means our helmets are used by professional lifeguards, not just recreational surfers.
EN1385 Certification – Canoeing, Kayaking and Whitewater Sports
The EN1385 standard is the European safety standard for helmets used in canoeing, kayaking, and whitewater sports. This certification tests:
- Shock absorption
- Resistance to penetration
- Robustness of the retention system
- Protection and stability in turbulent waters
If a helmet passes these tests, it will perform well where the water hits hardest.
CRITT CS-003 Protocol 05/2019 – Surf Helmet Certification
This specialized protocol for surf helmets covers:
- Repeated impacts
- Water dynamics
- Maintaining the helmet's position during falls
- Surf-specific impact scenarios
This certification reflects the unique dangers of surfing and foiling – environments where traditional helmet standards are inadequate.
Tested by the best, recognized worldwide. The helmets are not developed in isolation.
Gath Sports actively collaborates with:
- International sea rescue federations
- Universities and research institutes
- Government agencies
- Rescue and intervention teams
- Sporting legends
- Olympic medalists
- Top-level professional athletes in various disciplines
These collaborations allow us to test, improve and develop helmets based on concrete data, not theories.
Same shape, better helmet performance. You might notice that some Gath helmet silhouettes look familiar over the years. That's intentional. But make no mistake: what's inside has changed dramatically. Thanks to constant advancements in materials, impact data, and manufacturing technologies, helmets are constantly improving:
- Shell materials
- Energy-absorbing linings
- Support systems
- Adjustment accuracy
- Comfort and ventilation
Even if a model retains its iconic shape, it's no longer the same helmet. It's smarter, more durable, and safer. Every head is unique. Shape, width, depth, and proportions vary far more than you might think.
We know that:
- Finding the right helmet size can be difficult.
- A helmet that is "aesthetically pleasing" but poorly fitted is dangerous.
- Comfort directly influences helmet wearing.
That's why Gath Sports offers one of the widest size ranges on the market, from XS to XXXL, with several helmet models designed for different head shapes. Because a helmet is only effective if it fits properly.
We invite you to:
- Explore our complete collection of helmets
- View certifications
- Determine the model best suited to your sport and environment
- Learn how a proper fit and correct use influence safety
An informed athlete is a safer athlete.
Discreet protection . Let's be honest, some helmets protect your head… but make you feel like you're walking on the moon. One of Gath Sports' main strengths – besides safety, certifications, and performance – is that their helmets aren't bulky.
We believe that protection should:
- Be low and stable
- To conform to the natural shape of the head
- To have an elegant look, without being oversized
- To be a natural accessory, without compromise
Security should not come at the expense of trust.
Choosing the right helmet for your sport:
All Gath helmets are certified for water sports and surfing, but each environment requires a different design.
For water sports – Surfing | Bodyboarding
We highly recommend:
- Neo Helmet
- EVA helmet
These models are specifically designed for:
- To offer complete head protection
- Reduce water resistance
- Avoid the "bucket effect" – when water fills the helmet during falls and exacerbates neck pain
- They are designed to withstand repeated wave impacts and underwater conditions.
For water sports – Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Sailing etc.
- SFC
- GEDI
These models are ideal for high-flying sports.
High-speed surface water sports where impacts come from equipment, masts, booms and boards.
GEDI – Maximum impact protection
The GEDI offers the highest level of impact protection in the Gath Sports range.
Designed for:
- The foil
- Professional rescue teams
- High-risk environments
It is also compatible with a wide range of modular accessories, including:
- Full or half visors
- Communication radios
- Cassettes
- Lighting
...And much more
With GEDI, protection without compromise.
Best helmets for children: Protection first. Children's safety is paramount.
Children are still developing physically, and head injuries can have far more serious and lasting consequences than in adults. Therefore, whether for water sports or any other activity, parents should never choose a non-approved helmet for their children.
Studies consistently show that wearing a certified helmet significantly reduces the risk of head injury in children. This isn't just about performance; it's also about protecting young children's brains during their most critical growth years.
At Gath Sports, children deserve the same level of engineering, certification, and attention to detail as professional athletes.
That's why the helmet range extends up to size XS, guaranteeing a perfect fit, optimal comfort and real protection for young heads – not just miniature adult helmets.
The SFC – A favorite of children worldwide
The SFC is the world's best-selling and one of the most popular choices for children and young riders. Its success is based on:
- A slim and discreet design that doesn't give an impression of bulkiness
- A precise fit, even for small sizes
- A front protective band made of EVA for better shock absorption
- Removable ear protectors, for flexible use depending on conditions and preferences
- For young surfers and little champions, the SFC is undoubtedly one of the best and most reliable options available.
Children aren't limited to water sports: discover the RGM helmet
Children are not confined to a single playground, and neither are their helmets.
This year, Gath Sports took a major step forward by launching the RGM, one of the few helmets in the world to have dual certification: water and concrete.
The RGM is therefore designed and tested to:
- Water sports
- Urban environments and hard surfaces
- Multisport and off-road adventures
Thanks to its adjustable internal padding system and adjustment dial, the RGM adapts to your child's growth. This ensures a perfect fit for many years, reducing how often you need to replace your gear.
In summary: One helmet. Many sports. Years of use.
The RGM is designed to accompany your children from the ocean to the skatepark, from cycling to snowboarding, while offering them certified protection in all environments.
Because children grow up fast, explore everything and deserve a helmet that can keep up with their adventures, in complete safety.
