A floatation vest is highly recommended for comfort and safety. Floatation helps you when you are getting started in the water, getting going again after crashing, or taking a rest to adjust anything. It beats having to tread water while trying to relaunch your kite. A float vest also gives impact protection when you crash hard. Some thinner more streamlined vests are called impact vests. They are thinner and more form fitting than floatation vests or life jackets but give less floatation and ironically less impact protection. A helmet is another highly recommended accessory that can save your life or at least reduce your head injuries if you hit your head on a hard object. A board leash can be a convenience but can also add risk of the board hitting you as it tags along right behind you during a crash. A leash is not really necessary, because with proper bodydragging technique, you can drag yourself upwind to retrieve your board. A windmeter is a useful tool to prevent putting up your kite in more wind than you can safely handle. There are expensive electronic ones on the market, but we prefer simple $20 ones because they work just as well, don’t need batteries, and are the most durable.