Buoyancy Aids

Our Buoyancy Aids range covers foam buoyancy aids for kayaking, dinghy sailing and watersports – different from an inflatable lifejacket, built for an active, already-swimming wearer rather than to turn an unconscious person face-up, and the right choice for children and most paddling or dinghy activities.

A buoyancy aid is not a lower-spec lifejacket – it’s a different piece of equipment built for a different situation. It gives freedom of movement for active swimming and paddling, which is what you want dinghy sailing, kayaking or windsurfing, but it won’t turn an unconscious wearer face-up the way an offshore inflatable lifejacket is designed to. That makes fit the priority: a buoyancy aid should sit snugly with no gap that lets it ride up over the head in the water, adjusted with the side or front straps rather than worn loose.

For children, buoyancy aids are sized by body weight, not age – always check the weight range on the label rather than buying by age alone, and re-check fit as a child grows through a season. For general sailing and motorboating where you might end up unconscious in the water (offshore, solo, or in poor conditions), an inflatable lifejacket from our Leisure Lifejackets range is the safer choice instead.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a buoyancy aid and a lifejacket?

A buoyancy aid gives freedom of movement for an active, already-swimming wearer (kayaking, dinghy sailing); a lifejacket is designed to turn an unconscious wearer face-up, which a buoyancy aid won’t do.

How do I size a buoyancy aid for my child?

By body weight, not age – check the weight range on the label and re-check fit through the season as they grow.

Should I use a buoyancy aid or a lifejacket for general boating?

For dinghy sailing, kayaking and similar active watersports, a buoyancy aid; for general sailing or motorboating where you could end up unconscious in the water, an inflatable lifejacket is the safer choice.