GATH RGM Skate & Cycling Helmet

Who Are Gath?

Gath Helmets began with a simple idea and a passionate surfer. Ric Gath, its founder, loved the ocean but faced challenges. Cold waves hurt his ears, and sun glare strained his eyes. One day, a surfboard fin nearly hit his young child. That danger inspired Ric to create a helmet.

He started in his shed, shaping the first prototypes by hand. He combined a wetsuit hood with a lightweight shell. The goal was clear: protect the head without slowing surfers down. In 1989, the first Gath helmet hit the waves. Surf legend Dave Macaulay wore it first at Margaret River. The helmet quickly captured attention. Top surfers, including Gary Elkerton and Tom Carroll, adopted it for competitions. Their victories brought worldwide recognition to Gath.

Early on, the helmets earned safety endorsements and design awards. The brand faced setbacks, including liquidation, but Ric reclaimed the rights and relaunched under Gath Sports. Today, it remains family-run and proudly Australian, based in Margaret River. The company focuses on surf safety, producing helmets for kayaking, foiling, stand-up paddleboarding, and more. Some models are certified for whitewater and canoeing.

Gath helmets balance protection with comfort. Impact-resistant, UV-stable materials form the outer shell, resisting corrosion and drying quickly. Internal liners absorb shocks, while neoprene headbands and foam pads keep wearers comfortable. Some models include removable ear covers, audio vents, and sun visors. Most weigh under 500 grams and fit snugly without blocking vision.

The brand is trusted by professionals and rescue organizations alike, including Surf Life Saving groups and coast guards. Gath helmets shield wearers from head injuries while protecting against sun and cold. Over decades, the brand has remained iconic. Surfers and paddlers alike personalize helmets with stickers and art. Vintage Gath helmets are now collector favorites.

Gath stands for safety, innovation, and Australian heritage. Its loyal fans span the globe, united by trust in quality and dedication to the sport. From a small shed to worldwide recognition, Gath Helmets remains a story of passion, ingenuity, and respect for the ocean.

Safety Matters: Why Quality Skate & BMX Helmets Are Essential

Whether you ride a skateboard or BMX, a properly designed helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment you can wear. High-quality helmets are engineered to absorb and distribute impact forces, reducing the risk of serious head injuries during falls, collisions, or unexpected crashes. A secure, stable fit ensures the helmet stays in place when you need it most, while durable shells and energy-absorbing liners work together to provide reliable protection session after session.

Modern skate and BMX helmets are built with comfort as well as safety in mind, offering effective ventilation, lightweight construction, and moisture-resistant materials that make it easier to stay focused on performance. Choosing a certified helmet isn’t just about meeting standards — it’s about riding with confidence, knowing you’re protected every time you drop in or hit the trail.

Helmet Safety in the UK — What the Data Shows

• A large UK cohort study of over 11,000 cyclists found that those not wearing helmets had a 30-day mortality rate of 5.6%, compared with 1.8% among helmeted cyclists. Helmet use was also associated with substantially lower rates of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), intensive care admissions, and need for neurosurgical intervention. headway.org.uk+1

• That same study showed 47.6% of non-helmeted cyclists suffered a severe TBI compared to 19.1% of helmeted cyclists — a dramatic reduction in brain injury risk with helmet use. headway.org.uk

• Broader reviews of cycle-helmet research (including UK and international data) estimate that wearing a helmet reduces the odds of head injury by about 51%, serious head injury by about 69%, and fatal head injury by around 65%. OUP Academic+2The Guardian+2

• According to the UK safety organisation Headway, helmet use is also associated with a 53% reduction in risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a 48% reduction in head injury, and a 34% reduction in the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured. headway.org.uk+1

• Historical trends in England suggest that as helmet-wearing rates increased, the proportion of hospital admissions for head injuries among cyclists declined — from 27.9% to 20.4% over a period where helmet wearing rose from 16.0% to 21.8%. This is consistent with the estimate that helmet use may prevent around 60% of head injuries among admitted cyclists. PubMed+1

• While data in the UK on helmet use for skateboarding and similar wheeled sports is more limited, international literature (cited by UK-based sources) strongly supports helmet adoption: in a pooled analysis of 55 studies, helmet use reduced head injury by 48%, serious head injury by 60%, traumatic brain injury by 53%, and face injury by 23%.

Why This Matters — For Riders in the UK

• Because many cycling accidents involve falls or collisions that lead to head or brain trauma, wearing a helmet dramatically shifts the odds back in your favour — reducing not just minor injuries, but serious (potentially life-changing) head injuries and fatalities.

• The scale of protective effect — roughly halving or more than halving risk of serious/head injuries — makes helmets one of the most effective preventive measures available for cyclists.

• Given the UK context (urban roads, variable conditions, mixed traffic), relying on skill and caution alone doesn’t eliminate risk — helmets provide vital protection against unpredictable hazards, road conditions, and collisions.

• For people riding regularly — commuting, BMX, or skating — consistent helmet use becomes even more important: repeated exposure to risk over time increases the chances of an incident, making protection essential.