Over the winter I bought my stepkids and myself new backplates and wings rigged with single piece harnesses (X-Deep Zens fwiw). The kids had finished their OW last fall but hadn’t dove since. My stepdaughter is actually Junior OW because of her age.
She was perfect! No concern with the lack of buckles and adjustments. After we spent 30 minutes to get the fit right (my first time with a BPW too so not quite right yet) and did a weight check (new wetsuit too) she just descended and we did a nice easy dive. After the dive she had no problem floating head up at the surface… none of the drama around being forced face down. She even did a floating don & doff.
Best part is the ease of fitment. She’s getting taller by the day but has a very narrow waist. Sliding a few things around got her the perfect fitting system (with ditchable weigh pockets installed on the waist no less) in 15 minutes.
My message to new divers and parents of new divers is to seriously consider starting off with a BPW system. It’s so easy to adjust, easy to learn and exceptional to dive. Looks very ‘tec’ and maybe intimidating but it’s really so easy. Best part is as they grow you just slide things around to keep it fitting properly. They’ll probably dive these rigs well into adulthood.
She was perfect! No concern with the lack of buckles and adjustments. After we spent 30 minutes to get the fit right (my first time with a BPW too so not quite right yet) and did a weight check (new wetsuit too) she just descended and we did a nice easy dive. After the dive she had no problem floating head up at the surface… none of the drama around being forced face down. She even did a floating don & doff.
Best part is the ease of fitment. She’s getting taller by the day but has a very narrow waist. Sliding a few things around got her the perfect fitting system (with ditchable weigh pockets installed on the waist no less) in 15 minutes.
My message to new divers and parents of new divers is to seriously consider starting off with a BPW system. It’s so easy to adjust, easy to learn and exceptional to dive. Looks very ‘tec’ and maybe intimidating but it’s really so easy. Best part is as they grow you just slide things around to keep it fitting properly. They’ll probably dive these rigs well into adulthood.