I've used a waist harness for some years now but recently it was really giving me the, well, you know. After a while it would ride up around your chest and I started to get back pains after an hour or so in the water. I use a life jacket and after landing in the water it would be around your ears and rubbing under your chin. On the whole pretty uncomfortable.
I decided to go back to using an old seat harness I used when learning and what a difference. Comfortable, doesn't move around, easy on the back and even seems to be a little easier on the legs. When I use the life jacket, I tie it to the spreader bar with a little bit of rope and it stays where I want it to be, low down and doing it's job. I always had trouble with the seat harness because it was difficult to hook into and out of especially when I was learning and that was why I went to the waist. Now I run longer lines, 28 inch, and these problems no longer occur and I will probably go for 26 inch lines next time.
I'm not saying for everyone to go out and get a new harness but if you've never tried a seat and you get the chance to try one, you may be surprised at how good they are.
when you guys are 
while I can fit my big beer gut into a waist harness my lard arse hasn't fit in years. 
I'm yet to try either as I'm on my L plates
but hope to have a lash in a waist harness this weekend.
My concern is my lower back (I have a bulged disc) and it sounds like the seat harness may be a kinder option? I'm a light weight also, only 77 kilos, so is a seat harness a better (easier) option for keeping weight on the sail- if you know what I mean?
I use an NP pfd with a Da-Kine seat harness, the hook loops through the waist strap on the pfd keeping the harness from riding down and the pfd from riding up, very comfortable.
I've got an upper back problem.I haven't used a waist harness but I find the seat one good ( except its a bit old so it doesn't fit as well as it used to).Lately I've started doing Guy Cribbs stick your arse out to get the weight in the harness and I think that would be easier to get to work in a seat harness..That tip really helps me..
I decided to be cool, and bought a waist harness, as the seat one reminds me of baby nappies. 
Unfortunately, my waist harness constantly slips up to my ribcage, and had to push the boom way too high...and because I'm tall I still hit the waves with my "upper thigh"
To lower the boom, and at the same time ride a bit more above the waves, I had to buy very short harness lines (20").
Just fitted them last week, and these have changed how I sail.
I sail more upright, too close to the rig, have lass flexibility to get the board going, and the rig now feels unstable when going.
I think I would benefit from a seat harness, and going back to the 26" lines.
I am old school, been through the short lines era, (18"), seat harness, waist harness, and now settled on a waist harness for both waves and high wind slalom,long lines (30"), for 7.8m down, still like the feel and control of power transfer with a seat harness for big slalom and formula gear, long lines keep the rig upright, give you room to trim to conditions by allowing you to extend and lower your body from the rig.
Try as many harnesses as you can, I have found one that sits around my waist with the hook just on belly button, this suits my style of sailing and never rides up, maybe need to clinch up the power band to stop your harness riding up.
Each to their own, I've tried both and much prefer the power going through my pelvis rather than my lower spine. But then, I am purely flatwater these days...
Seat is definitely easier on your back. If you have disc issues its the way to go. When I tried a waist harness I could feel the sideways pressure on my discs. Not good.
One of the best wave/rough water sailors I know only uses a seat.
It sounds like seat for flat water and save the back. But I plan to hit the waves when I up-grade my skill levels. And for the waves it seems a waiste harness is (generally) the way to go...
I'm hoping to sail this weekend and use a borrowed waist harness for the session. If the back aches because of it, I'll look into the seat harness option. I'd rather no pain and sail the flat water then be suffering and sail the waves.
Cheers for ya help.
learned on a chest harness with no spreader bar in 86, 'ouch'. progressed to a waist harness. only tried a seat on one session and then broke the boom from the 'sitting down'. i do think /read seat harnesses are great for general straight line blasting though.
I have used a seat harness for the last 25 years mainly bump n jump sailing and in quite large swell/waves (Alva in NQ). A gaastra was the first and only got rid of it a couple of years ago as it was starting to rot in the bottom of the bag and hadn't been used for awhile. Use a np now and it seems to have better lower back support with a higher back section. I tried a waist harness a few yaers ago and didn't feel comfortable in it, but may have been due to years of using a seat.
I also wear a pfd and don't like the thought of having them tied together especially if caught up under the sail. Would maker it harder(slower) to get out of them.
I'm pretty much a beginner and I just became aware that the seat harness I've been using is actually a kite surfing harness.
It's a bit old, it's called the Dakine fusion and it has the roller instead of the hook.
It seems to work pretty good for me, It hooks in right at the navel.
I'm wondering what the difference is between a windsurfing and a kite harness?
I tried the waist harness but it just ends up at my chest no matter how tight I get it. Cribby says you're supposed to keep adjusting it down, constantly. Seems a bit of a PITA to me.
kite harneses tend to have a differned hook - usually flared - they also have a handle on the back so people can hang on to you to stop you getting dragged down the beach across roads and into trees.
If you have a disc bulge, you need to know which direction it is bulging. If it is bulging forward toward the belly, you may find the seat better, if it is bulging backwards, sitting (depending on your technique) may actually open up the lower back a little and therefore affect your back pain. Most important in disc bulge is to have strong core(underlying stomach muscles ie/ not six pack ones), make sure the back is kept in good alignment with natural curves...so whichever harness you find maintains that curve will be best. On the other hand..windsurfing requires and builds good core strength so it is a good option for backs...if you are not having trouble without a harness I don't see why using one would be worse...as I believe the harness is designed to take the load off the body. good luck!
but hope to have a lash in a waist harness this weekend.
Been getting a sore back since about Nov last year. I think it has been caused / aggravated by driving upwind. Don't know if my technique is wrong but I would appreciate suggestions. I tend to move my hands back along the boom and assume a pretty unnatural stance by leaning way forward. Works really well but I have ended up at the physio. Think I will go back to the seat harness.
It will probably be the leaning forward which will cause the back muscles to fire, especially if there is a forward bend in the spine and the sail is powered. If your back is commonly sore after windsurfing then I would have your technique checked...it could be that simple! Maybe some stretches before hand....keep in mind not all back pain comes from the back...hips, butt, thighs and upper back/chest all contribute...remember the body is connected. If your physio cannot guide pain prevention for you in your sport I'd recommend an Exercise Physiologist. Cheers!
If your waist harness is slipping up you're not doing it up tight enough. Make sure its wet first so the straps dont stretch while you're out.
Thanks Little feet for the tips. It's just one of those things I have to live with- and thankfully keeping fit (relatively) certainly helps. And I'm hoping a harness will help the cause also- time will tell.
I'm pleased to hear you say wind surfing will build core strength, as I'm pretty much over doing sits ups
but hope to have a lash in a waist harness this weekend.
I have no problems going from waist to seat depending on the gear Im using and the water Im sailing in.
The problem that most guys have when using a seat is they get into the bad habit of actualy sitting in it rather than keeping there guts up so that when they go to a waist harness they do what they always do and drop there bum and the harness rides up.
You dont need to do a waist harness up tight you just need the correct technique.
