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Caulfield, VIC, 3162
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Forums > Kitesurfing General

Seat Harness

Reply
Created by jacky > 9 months ago, 18 Sep 2008
jacky
WA, 41 posts
18 Sep 2008 11:08PM
Thumbs Up

Been kiting for about 1 season now. I started riding with a really crapy cabrinha seat harness (bought it because it was cheap) and now im trying to find the perfect waist harness for me, but their just doesnt seem to be any. iv tried many waist harnesses but they all seem to sit way to high because my hip bone is apparantly to high. But, the seat harness, expecially the new Dakine seat harness seems to fit me very well, but all my kitesurfing mates tell me seat harnesses are for ****ters and learners.

A) Do you believe seat harnesses are for ****ters and learners

B) If so, or you think their is a waist harness out their that you think will fit me because you have had the problem i have, WHICH ONE.

Cheers guys

Ben De Jonge
WA, 819 posts
18 Sep 2008 11:35PM
Thumbs Up

Seats tend to give you more back support and defo make it easier for beginners cos they don't ride up while you tend to fly the kite high in the early days.

Waists give you more flexibility, you can slide them around to make toe side and switch easier, and wave riding.
They are harder on you back, but that's more down to ride techique.

I rode with a waist for 3 seasons and it never bothered me.
Like everything, there's pros and cons and it will come down to the kind of riding you want to do and what you find the most comfy.

kusu
QLD, 485 posts
19 Sep 2008 7:19AM
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The Dakine Nitrous shorts are fantastic. Use with some thin neoprene shorts and the optional bar pad, and you won't find a more comforatable harness. Lots of riders on them around here.

I find the whole cool attitude for waist harnesses pretty funny. Especially when you see young impressionable guys with hopeless ride technique, struggle to get upwind well, and can't hold alot of power in the kite - all trade offs for a waist harness if you are not experienced.
Then on the other hand, they come in handy for wakestyle tricks and true wave riding, at the expense of comfort.

Ride what works for you. For me it's the Nitrous.

Also check overseas for better deals and availabilty if your local retailer doesn't have any, as the distributor here is hopeless.

TOAD
NSW, 305 posts
19 Sep 2008 7:56AM
Thumbs Up

I tried on about 6 different waist harnesses till I settled with a seat harness , seamed the only one that fit me properlly .. I don't care what it looks like , so long as it is funtional and comfortable ...

BigAirPaul
QLD, 140 posts
19 Sep 2008 8:39AM
Thumbs Up

All a matter of preference; don't be swayed by 'cool' or 'uncool' labels. I know several people (including girls) who ride with seats to a high level of trickology, so don't think that you will be limited in that respect either.
Personally, I have a Mystic Firestarter waist and I have found it to be one of the best fitting and most comfortable harnesses ever...
With regards to your hip bone, eat some food !!! A stomach will help with the ride-up problems maybe (I am joking, by the way) !!! Otherwise, I think Naish and Maui Magic might do specific female harnesses, although I could be wrong...
Try them all !!! And watch for sizes - it seems that they are not common... S in some brands will be an XS in others etc...
Happy hunting and kiting...
BAP

theDoctor
NSW, 5784 posts
19 Sep 2008 9:11AM
Thumbs Up

i broke my back years and years ago. waist harness' kill me, after a couple of hours i need like a week off, but with a seat harness i can kite all day everyday.

and all the talk of 'poo stance', the major poo players i have seen have all been waist harness wearers by far...

though it is true that riding waves with them sucks

SurfConnect
QLD, 1674 posts
19 Sep 2008 9:17AM
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For learners who a lot of time fly their kites up high, a seat harness is more forgiving as it prevents riding up. Seat harnesses have a lower hook and with the leg straps one can anchor the weight down a bit easier. Waist harnesses have a higher hook one can come in and out of it much easier when doing unhook tricks and for other reasons kusu has pointed out correctly.

The more mature riders who doesnt unhook as much, also those with back problems tend to favour seat harnesses.

Liquid Force has mens and ladies boardshorts harnesses with leg straps inbuilt and detachable bar so you can wear it as a pair of boardies say when you are heading the beach or going home. 08 boardshorts are on clearance at all LF distributors as 09 stock due in the next shipment on the 28th this month.

Care not what others think, care what works for you best.



rusty7
QLD, 504 posts
19 Sep 2008 9:23AM
Thumbs Up

Jacky ..... If the seat harness is comfy stick with it. I have both and I always drift back to the seat harness for pure comfort. If your style is free ride then why change because some idiot tells you its uncool. If you are into the wake style then the seat harness might not be a good choice so go the waist harness. What i do know for fact is that after a long session in a seat harness i have no sore spots, the same can't be said for a waist harness. For my seat harness i use Dakine and for my waist i use a pro limit hadlow. I am into comfort so i couldn't give a rats what someone else thinks when it comes to cool or uncool.

cRAZY Canuk
NSW, 2528 posts
19 Sep 2008 9:57AM
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Use what ever's comfortable for you. I've got a seat and a waist and I tend to use both in the same day.

Try the Maui Magic stuff (if you haven't already), they produce girl specific gear. My girlfriend just bought the MM waist harness and she thinks it's the ducks nuts and they have a seat harness as well. There imported by the same people as Mystic and SS so you should be able to find it any where that they sell that stuff.

One thing to note is it's worth paying extra for a good fitting harness

KFKiter
SA, 213 posts
19 Sep 2008 9:33AM
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I've had 2 Dakine waist harnesses and they have been great, but after a long powered session i can hardly walk and trying to get out of bed the next day makes me feel like i'm 200 years old. Since using the Dakine seat harness i can kite longer and hold down more power and don't hurt half as much the next day.

SaveTheWhales
WA, 1877 posts
19 Sep 2008 8:53AM
Thumbs Up

Hi Jacky

Like Mr T sayz - " GET SOME NUTS "

Make your own choices & dont listen to them FOOLS

Keep that backbone strong !!!!

KIT33R
NSW, 1715 posts
19 Sep 2008 12:08PM
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Here's an interesting twist. A few years ago a mate of mine who rides harder than most had a tumble under a big wave. With the board still on his feet deep under water the kite pulled hard high in the sky.

You've heard of the Rack from ancient torture days. Well, he was wearing a waist harness and the kite pulled so hard that he tore all his stomach muscles. Was off work for about 6 weeks.

He now wears a seat harness and goes just as hard. If you know him, and I'm sure many of you do, you would know that the type of harness you wear does not affect ability.

colinwill78
VIC, 1395 posts
19 Sep 2008 1:16PM
Thumbs Up

KIT33R said...

Here's an interesting twist. A few years ago a mate of mine who rides harder than most had a tumble under a big wave. With the board still on his feet deep under water the kite pulled hard high in the sky.

You've heard of the Rack from ancient torture days. Well, he was wearing a waist harness and the kite pulled so hard that he tore all his stomach muscles. Was off work for about 6 weeks.

He now wears a seat harness and goes just as hard. If you know him, and I'm sure many of you do, you would know that the type of harness you wear does not affect ability.


that's a nice story

brandude
QLD, 14 posts
19 Sep 2008 1:59PM
Thumbs Up

I learned on a bump and jump seat harness(i think thats what its called)
except it pretty much amputated my ballsac PAINFUL!!
anyways u wouldnt have that problem, and the seat harness isnt all that bad if ur a chick.

jacky
WA, 41 posts
19 Sep 2008 1:32PM
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Hang on guys im not a ****ing chick.

O

O

VIC, 118 posts
19 Sep 2008 3:46PM
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jacky said...

Hang on guys im not a ****ing chick.


Im sorry but that is hilarious!

Surfer62
1357 posts
19 Sep 2008 1:54PM
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Must be a chick, never heard a guy called jacky

getfunky
WA, 4485 posts
19 Sep 2008 2:17PM
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jacky said...

Hang on guys im not a ****ing chick.


Hang on I'm confused is it a typo and "Hang on guys im not ****ing a chick."

OR

"Hang on guys im not a ****ing chick."


Either way seats are great for your 1st couple (or few in my case) seasons depending on your learning curve. In fact they are great full stop unless you start to do technical tricks, ride waves (ride - not cruise).

Seats are heaps easier to learn on and no back strain. If your no spring chicken and don't have a perfect back think twice before swapping to a waist. FYI info I will be going to a waist for the 1st time this season (my 4th) but keeping a seat for backup in case my nearly 38 yr old spine grumbles and for howling days. I loved my seat (Naish 2005 model) but want more freedom of movement in waves etc.

Good luck

cRAZY Canuk
NSW, 2528 posts
19 Sep 2008 5:03PM
Thumbs Up

jacky said...

Hang on guys im not a ****ing chick.


Might I suggest changing the "y" to an "o"?

Must be one of those metro-sexual log on names.

You got to admit we had a 50/50 chance and the evidence was leading us a stray?

Dawn Patrol
WA, 1991 posts
19 Sep 2008 3:04PM
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Surfer62 said...

Must be a chick, never heard a guy called jacky


jacky chan?

GO with what is comfy. And your mates will always find something to make fun of you about. May aswell make it easy for them.
Try everything, and get the most comfy.

BigAirPaul
QLD, 140 posts
19 Sep 2008 5:40PM
Thumbs Up

OOOOppppss !!!
How embarrasing ?
So sorry...
It was the comment about dodgy pelvis that led me to the conclusion that you were a chick. Blokes don't normally mention the pelvis !!! And it wasn't just me that got confused...
Although I have laughed my arse off at everything that followed !!!
Anyway... Uncool will be the new Cool, so as I said before... Try them all !!! And it looks like your mates will have something else to give you a hard time about already...
Also... KIT33R - He didn't think to pull the safety ???
BAP

Ben De Jonge
WA, 819 posts
20 Sep 2008 12:18AM
Thumbs Up

Hilarious - pure Gold!

nickloop
WA, 138 posts
20 Sep 2008 12:36AM
Thumbs Up

Dakine nitrous all the way, ive got a bad back and a waist harness kills me, tried them twice and each time end up crippled. If a seat suits you then wear one, dont listen to people telling you that seat are for beginners, its what suits you. But try dakine nitrous shorts you dont feel like you have a harness on, And you can wear them over your wetsuit without people taking the piss.LOL

ianyoung
WA, 649 posts
20 Sep 2008 10:59AM
Thumbs Up

some opinions about seat harnesses in this thread:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=38830



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"Seat Harness" started by jacky