Pros n cons as always but this may be helpful information for those who have various injuries / medical problems and still want to enjoy kiting Or just want to maximize your fun time on the water with minimum risk and energy expenditure...
Some years back I mentioned about children and that the forces and posture will eventually take its toll on their 'developing' spinal curvature... so would be good for parents to learn and show them some basic stretches / exercises to counter this.
They have a lot of years ahead of them - give them a good start...
Lastly - the Wedgy problem that pisses off 'everyone' and makes people sometimes shy away - can be moded to solve the problem.
The manufacturers need to do this as a standard...
The Fix - a firm triangular pad about 4-6 inches in length, needs to be sewn into where the lower leg straps meet at the bottom..
It instantly stops the wedgy and makes it more comfortable.
When you go to a park - and sit on a rubber belt swing, your butt is supported and your legs hang over - NO WEDGY !
I'll [post a pic of mine when I'm home next week..
I can't ride a waist harness. I've got a buggered lower back, so seat harness is the go for sure.
Great video!! Should be required viewing by all kitesurfers. The camera work, kite skills and even the comments are worth your time.
By the way, seat harness for me after 2x broken ribs and a history of lower back issues.
Select to expand quoteshred said..
Great video!! Should be required viewing by all kitesurfers. The camera work, kite skills and even the comments are worth your time.
By the way, seat harness for me after 2x broken ribs and a history of lower back issues.
Agreed - The technology is here and could be useful as an extra Marketing tool..
It will be like the long leash, it just came with the harness so it stayed there - short leashes are slowly taking over because of safety issues..
Here's the Mod / Pad, I hand sewed into my seat harness to reduce the Wedgy effect..
Various seat harnesses have different shapes but they 'all' need that firm pad or thick seat belt type material in the Lower half of the harness..
Feels a bit blocky initially and with water a few sessions later it sits perfectly without wedgie..
It also stops the centre poin tearing up the middle.
Some worn out harnesses may have parts you can cut out a re-use for mods..
For those in Perth - I also needed some Repairs on the same harness after a season of heavy kiting..
I took it to 'Mr Mint' in Karinyup Shopping Centre.... they have the Heavy Duty Sewing machines that sew leather shoes..
He said their machines sew the hard harness material easily...
I'll make a separate post for harness Repair..
Good thread STW thanks.
I went to seat harness plus rope slider with metal V chicken loop when I started foiling. More comfy for me, especially with a lot of toeside riding, I won't go back.
I never get a wedgie but I found that I get chafing/pinching of the thighs and/or worst case ball skin 
with normal boardies. I went to stretch fabric boardies and love them so much I bought 3 pairs for kiting. I hate it when they're all wet and I have to use normal boardies.
Something like this
www.uniqlo.com/au/en/products/E485602-000/00?colorDisplayCode=02&sizeDisplayCode=004
Anyone tried the hybrid style harnesses like the Liberty Carbon one? It seems like its a waist harness without the leg straps but not sure how effective they are for a long session
Select to expand quoteweebitbreezy said..
Anyone tried the hybrid style harnesses like the Liberty Carbon one? It seems like its a waist harness without the leg straps but not sure how effective they are for a long session
I had a look at the all the videos including Tobys Bruers kite clip - he said its good enough for his 18m kites and board off tricks... but it had slid up on him at the end of the vid... and he said in another post, you need to have Exactly the right size for you height n shape as his wasn't...
The windsurfing guys thought it was great but i think they had access to a few different sizes while testing them.
In saying that - we don't have the privilege of trying them on locally...
It all makes sense though.
