Anyone else experienced lower back/rib pain from using a harness and if so what setup have you used to reduce it. Have been using a ride engine vinaka for the last six months and when riding hard upwind with my 6m dlab I end up really sore after the session. Free riding in waves is much better but still can feel point loading on ribs. Can sail without harness for a couple of hours with no problem. I do like using a harness as I am fresher after sailing multiple days in a row. Any suggestions?
I wear my harness belt up right under my arms. On my waist, I can't breathe. (Years of breath training have me breathing deep with my stomach/diaphragm without my chest moving much.)
This works way better for me and I can use a shorter harness line so less flapping.
2" padded Kaohi belt is my harness, by the way.
Select to expand quoteWalls said..
Anyone else experienced lower back/rib pain from using a harness and if so what setup have you used to reduce it. Have been using a ride engine vinaka for the last six months and when riding hard upwind with my 6m dlab I end up really sore after the session. Free riding in waves is much better but still can feel point loading on ribs. Can sail without harness for a couple of hours with no problem. I do like using a harness as I am fresher after sailing multiple days in a row. Any suggestions?
How long are your harness lines ? If they are too short it might cause your harness hook or strap to ride up to your ribs? I use adjustable Severne windsurfing lines , tend to run them at 28in setting mostly .
The other thing to perhaps consider is the use of a spreader bar pad, once again to hold the hook and strap flat against your abdomen and stop it from riding up so much.
I have been using a padded waist belt style harness similar to the Vinaka for a couple of years now ( actually an old Peter Lynn traction kite harness around 4in wide, with a small spreader bar pad and Dakine maniac hook) and it works fine - no rib or back issues. I suffer from lower back pain so it would quickly become apparent if it didn't work !
Select to expand quoteWalls said..
Anyone else experienced lower back/rib pain from using a harness and if so what setup have you used to reduce it. Have been using a ride engine vinaka for the last six months and when riding hard upwind with my 6m dlab I end up really sore after the session. Free riding in waves is much better but still can feel point loading on ribs. Can sail without harness for a couple of hours with no problem. I do like using a harness as I am fresher after sailing multiple days in a row. Any suggestions?
I use the same harness but didn't notice such issues. Mostly for sailing upwind and to have a bit of rest in a long session.
"Winging forces are so low", lol. Yes same here shopping for a new harness. I can't believe how heavy kiting/windsurfing harnesses are, looking for something in between. I though about molding some carbon around my back and glueing Eva to it.
Use a 10 euros back muscles belt , leave loose that way you can turn it to get on board and it auto drops down on hips when not under pressure and of course when under pressure it stays in place. The cord is for attaching the wing and behind a cord for the board . So easy to make , light , can relieve your back muscles if tightened and costs peanuts !
Select to expand quoteJohnnyTsunami said..
"Winging forces are so low", lol. Yes same here shopping for a new harness. I can't believe how heavy kiting/windsurfing harnesses are, looking for something in between. I though about molding some carbon around my back and glueing Eva to it.
Most windsurf harnesses now have massive hard shells. I think it's because the average windsurfer is 60 years old and has a bad back!
I've got a soft shell Ion Radius windsurf harness from 2017. Really comfortable when I've done 3 mile long upwind runs but doesn't feel bulky. I can quickly unhook the spreader bar if I need to lie on the board and paddle. The plastic hooks and belts of most of the current wing harnesses don't look like they are up to the job. The loads are pretty high once you've been using a harness for a while.
Prolimit has a soft shell windsurf harness that is similar to what I use:
www.prolimit.com/product/windsurf-waist-harness-vault/
Sounds like you're in the market for a good old fashioned spreader bar. Makes a world of difference compared to just a hook.
I also use the Vinaka harness and found that moving to faster foils (Axis ART) greatly reduced the load on my hands, arms and harness. What foil(s) are you riding?
Thanks for all the responses. Last few sessions have I tried a few different things based on everyone's advice. The loading is much less of an issue using my axis hps 930 and smaller tails. In marginal wind I use my bsc 1060 with a 440 rear which loads my body up a lot more than the more higher aspect foil. A spreader bar also helps as does paying attention to posture whilst pushing upwind.
I'm running a Wingman impact vest / chest harness and after a few sessions, I'm really digging it. Nagging shoulder pain from an injury so I got this instead of rehab haha.
www.wingman-products.com/the-wingman/
They helped me integrate my reel leash so it is quasi permanent on the lower back.
The chest spreader bar hook is really nice and I'm liking the load to my mid back more than the lower back style. Also, hooking in, and unhooking (with a shorter line) seems much easier to me. I wouldn't be surprised if more options like this don't come out. Wingman also should be releasing a colab with Ion, so presumably more realistic cost 
