We are still locked up here in Melbourne but I was able to get out today for a quick test of my chicken loop harness line.
Hmmm, I'm interested in how it felt.
I've never held a wing but from my windsurfing background, seeing all these people foiling around without harness lines still boggles my mind! 
Select to expand quoteJethrow said..
Hmmm, I'm interested in how it felt.
I've never held a wing but from my windsurfing background, seeing all these people foiling around without harness lines still boggles my mind!
first gen wings were sketchy in a harness. Really crap stability compared to a windsurf sail. Non-windsurfers were probably scared by the harness.
Now, some are close to a sail in stability, so a harness feels really nice. Naish S25, Echo, etc..
We're in a transition point where some wing dings behave better with a harness than without, causing mixed opinions in reviews.
You do need real windsurf harness lines, otherwise the lines slap you in the face when pumping hard.
I use a harness line on my Ensis, after 40yrs windsurfing/kiting it's natural. But only use it when I'm tired or want to crank it upwind. Mike
Hey David , I love the idea as ive got a very damaged right shoulder and it is super painfull after a session. However i fall in regularly and crawl on the sup on my tummy mate . I am worried i will damage the board with the hook . I am hopeing the kite / Windsurf harness are over engineered for wingdinging . So instead, the soft loop maybe on the waist of the rider, thats easy in some way to attach onto the wing . Ive got some super thick rubber used in gyms. Unsure about the attachment method.
Watching the footy at the same, time this has taken forever. Go Port !
I was worried about elbow issues after windsurfing and kiting tendinitis over 30 years. But no issues so far wingdinging touch wood. Damage to the board would be my biggest concern with a harness as I fall off heaps. It is pretty light on your arms.
Interesting idea but I would think that spins around and you have to manually hook in.
I use a standard windsurfing adjustable harness line on the Echo boom with an old Dakine hook cable tied to my waist leash.
It works amazingly well suddenly the long upwind legs are time to relax as the harness takes at least 50% of the load even mega overpowered is no problem.
You can really drive upwind and bring the wing upright like closing the slot on a windsurfer.
I only hook in on upwind legs never in waves and jamming around.
Downside is the metal hook, we need someone to develop a light plastic hook otherwise board damage is always a possibility.
The other is the harness line is just something else for the wrist leash to tangle with which can be annoying.
I wouldn't recommend any one trying a harness until you are solid with your basic wing foiling skills though.
Freedom and intuitive fun would be limited with a harness.
If it becomes popular a new design would be required and definitely no board gouging hook.
Most ex course racers now windfoiling use a harness and lines for long grinds upwind.
I doubt they fall directly onto the deck of their boards.
If your arms don't tire, don't use lines.
The one kid I've seen who jumps really high has'nt used harness yet, but is looking at them coupled with his waist harness.
Many years ago, 1980's, windsurf harnesses had plastic hooks and spreader bars. We broke a lot in those days being catapulted but might be an option again for winging to help avoid board damage. Wouldn't be hard to 3D print a design.
I haven't (yet) gone winging but I have a strange idea to rig some sort of sliding bridle from the front of the wing to a back handle and use the leash to hold some of the power.
Once I have my wings I'll play around on dry land to see how possible that would be.
It will be interesting to see where all this goes in the future.. I'd recommend not using a harness until you have got past the frequent crashing stage.. It's the no harness thing that is the big attraction to wing-foiling for me.. A harness is not really needed.. I'm only considering it for long upwind trips for downwinding back.
The chicken loop is a simple way to add a harness line to an inflatable center strut wing and being able to tuck it away or hold it keeps it out of the way.. It does flop about and just grabbing it with the back hand and placing it on the hook works and probably the best way to hook in.
Regarding the plastic spreader bar I used one for years (DaKine) without a problem windsurfing and it was great but I'm guessing you could still damage the board with it and no real advantage over metal.. A hook on a belt that can be slid around to the back when It's not needed or when climbing back on the board might work.
In the video linked below Tucker talks about sliding the harness hook out of the way when you remount the board -- around the 6:00 minute mark.
