Apart from the kook look element ( u no who u r ) what are the main reasons for a waist verse seat harness.I have a seat because I was told there better for your back, 07 model,
I went initially seat, then waist for 5 years, now back to seat.
I was using a older prolimit waist - it rode up, and I found my lower back would get sore as the pull from the kite was not from the pelvis (imagine hanging off a 'caribina', with a harness that rode up your chest.
So I then used a very old flying objects (9 years old), for a few sessions and no back pain whatsoever and the pull came from the right place (lower down). So I went and bought a new flying objects and it is great.
Now a lot a people will say the new waists don't ride up. They do, maybe not as much, but they do - but they are a lot more comfortable and offer much more back protection now. Also the waist harness is much better for freestyle / unhooking and unless you use a sliding spreader bar on a seat harness much better in the surf as you can twist the harness around your body.
Remember I'm 37 years old and the back can't take the punishment the younger guys take, so please my viewpoint is somewhat biased.
To be quite honest just use what you have got, it's your kiting skill that matters, the gear is secondary.
Hi Guys,
I think that waists of today are nothing like older models of yesteryear. You owe it to yourself to try one of the new quality waist harnesses, they do not cause back pain in me and I am a chronic back pain individual. By wearing my waist harness, it actually helps my back stay in line and supports me so much that I actually wear it when I do my back in as it allows the supportive muscles around my lower back to relax and makes a big difference to the pain and discomfort of not wearing it.
Seat harnesses restrict movement so badly. I borrowed a seat harness from a School I did an ITC for and I crashed and burned almost every carving transition as I went to toeside it pulled me back around and I'd catch an edge everytime and face plant. I undid the leg loops and no more problems. Something that hampers riding performance can't be good for your progression.
Each to their own though. Just try them for yourself rather than rely on others heresay.
Cheers,
DM
Waist harnesses only ride up if they are not fitted or tightened properly.........
There are a few exceptions ....
If you have a beer gut it will eventually work it's way under the hook of the harness and therefore push the hook/ bar upwards.
if you are built like Pee Wee Herman and your chest/torso is smaller than your waist it will ride up.
I am still using a mystic warrior from about 4-5 years ago it has a second thinner ' girth strap ' which threads through the spreader bar/ hook and back onto the harness, this provides downward pressure on the spreader bar...... If I dint adjust this tightly the harness will ride up.
