Its good? Oo ok, cool! When it comes time to get one, I'll he sure to go try on that one.

Thank you everyone for the variety of advice. I popped by my local EMS this weekend and tried a few that they had, and I chose the Astral V8.  I've not yet had the chance to try it in the action, but in theory, it seemed to have almost everything I was looking - lightweight, minimalistic (it's practically three styrofoam blocks held together with sparse webbing and a couple of strap), and it's loaded with vents.  Will only be able to give it a try once my board gets here in about a week or so.

Cheers.

I just bought a pair of Cabela's Guardian™ Series Essential 2500 Manual Belt Pack PFDs . They list for $80 each. Cabelas is having a $20 off sale on anything over $150. Free shipping to a store (which is across the street from my office). Plus I had $46 in points accumulated. So $104 out the door.

Well, the Astral V8 life vest works like a bloody charm!  After going from rather choppy waters where I was kneeling and paddling, I entered the harbor area where the waters are generally calmer, tried to stand up, and the wake of a passing boat behind me caught me off-guard, I lost my balance, and plunged right in.  Like a complete douche, right in front of two guys standing by the rocks fishing away.

After freaking out for a second, I caught the board, pulled myself up and heaved myself on-board again.  The Aquapac I was using to carry my iPhone worked like charm, kept the phone dry during this brief dunk.

But all in all, I've been quite happy with this life vest over the past two weekends.   It's light, it's pretty airy, it doesn't get in the way at all.  The only downside?  The bright royal blue color.  Puketastic.

Supsports is right, go for the Hobie all he way.  It's designed for SUP.  Light and small.