Do you ride surfboard or in the waves???

Style: Strapless surf
Weather: All conditions, light to nuking, onshore to cross off.
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 11/10
Disclosure: pay for all gear, no ties to shops...

So for the past year I've been using a Dynabar V7.
Took it off and used a fixed hook last weekend and wow.
I can't believe the difference in freedom of movement.

A change in address meant a different riding style for me, no longer doing cross-shore downwinders but instead kiting cross-on waves in the one spot. Cross-on means unhooking is far from ideal and I wasn't happy with fighting against my harness to stay on the wave.

With the fixed bar I feel so restricted and feel as though I can't pivot from the hips to generate board speed. Every snap/carve felt so stiff and style-less!

I occasionally will do a downwinder with unhooking and this isn't a problem with the Dynabar, its a little harder to find the hook but still pretty easy.

I know plenty of people who haven't used them think they're a bit fiddly or a waste of money (I was one!), but I honestly think it's the best money I've spent on kiting.

I always loan it to random fellas and they always come back stoked. They reckon it feels odd at first but can appreciate the unlocking of the hips straight away.

I've been using the pro-wave stainless bar and I have liked it. It seems to wear the little black roller inserts super quick (like every 5 odd sesh's), my only frustration with it. But last week I used rope instead. I fell in love with it instantly, super smooth and no wear. You just need to get a good quality rope, the rope I got from BCF busted after 1.5 sessions. lol.

So for any surfboard riders, get one… It will progress your riding and take it to the next level. If you see me on the NSW south coast (Ozone Reo kite, Flouro yellow/green board), wave me down and if you fit into my medium harness take it for a spin.

Not sure if my pure stock for this product has come across in this post or what!!!


I think I paid $170ish for it.

No pics cause its sandy and in the car…

I have had one since December and I' m sold. A guy down at the beach has one and he told me to use the rope. Very smooth and much easier than a fixed hook.

I had one for 2 seasons, the rope is the best and I agree its the best bit of kit I had bought too. Mine broke last year, so cut a hook off a spreader bar, tied dyneema on, and used a shackle works just as well.

mike

For $90 dollars and a welder i did this.
Wanted to have two spreader bars one for the surf and one for a bit of TT fun without two harnesses.
The only mod i made which is not in the photo is i have welded another small bit of bar to stop the hook going past the centre line, so in goofy stance it allows 200mm of more extension on the arm and takes away 95% of the twist out of your lower back.
took a session to get used too but it is great.
Only thing i would change is to insert a hard plastic over the metal rail but at this stage there is know sign of wear.

I believe Mystic now also have a surf version. I hope to see one in the flesh soon.

couple of earlier posts on this topic with some DIY efforts.
dug them up for reference

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/harness-set-up-for-waves
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Sliding-Harness/

been thinking about using one of these for a while for surfing..

what size did you go for? Im a 32" waist with a med harness

does the dynabar v7 come with the rope slider?

does the sliding hook effect jumping?

I'm thinking that with more give it has to effect it in a negative way

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bennie said...
does the sliding hook effect jumping?

I'm thinking that with more give it has to effect it in a negative way

what sort of jumping do you mean bennie? surfboard or twin tip?
I can't see it being practical for say wake style, but for hooked in free ride i can't see it having much of an effect...

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default said...
been thinking about using one of these for a while for surfing..

what size did you go for? Im a 32" waist with a med harness

does the dynabar v7 come with the rope slider?

You would need the 11"

@Bennie

Jumping is a bit different on TT and surfboards, only because it takes you a while to get used to the hook moving, but now I have no trouble jumping higher than I could with a fixed hook as I can hold an edge better and load up better. I can't jump on my strapless surfboard and don't intend to. From what I have seen and heard of riders that did swap, they like it better for jumping once they get used to it.

Also got one a couple of weeks back from the guys at Kitepower. The main reason was for kiting toeside on a surfboard. I hated my harness moving around and the wear on my skin or wetsuit. I selected the freeride bar version as I swap around about 50/50 between my TT and surfboard for any given session. The freeride has a more pronounced kink in the centre of the bar.

At first it felt a bit clunky as it rotated out of the centre point but the feeling of pulling from the side when toeside was an immediate improvement and just felt right. After a couple of sessions I didnt even notice the hook move from the centre. As others have said, a great option when using a surfboard.

As far as the TT the hook just seems to stay put in the cente unless I switch to toeside. Jumping is just the same with hook staying centred (always hooked in boosting).

The only negative, which is not really a negative, is the bar adds a bit to your reach to the bar. This is easily corrected by using your centre line adjustment if required. As yet I haven't tried the Rope option yet.

From customer/rider feedback Id say about:
25% prefer the Wave-pro steel slider bar.
75% stick with the rope.
Those on the rope claim the bar is too 'clunky'
Those on the bar claim it slides easier than the rope.
Your Call. You get both in the pack to change at will.

The Freeride bar is still available (I think) but nobody uses that option.

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Smithy said...
The only negative, which is not really a negative, is the bar adds a bit to your reach to the bar. This is easily corrected by using your centre line adjustment if required. As yet I haven't tried the Rope option yet.

haha, I reckon your negative is a big positive for me out in the surf...

It feels as though when in a carve or snap you can have your leading hand on the bar in a comfortable position with a bit of power pulled in. As opposed to having your hand super close to your stomach.

Going back to the fixed hook really exaggerated this to me!

^^ Agree 100% when toeside, arm extension is spot on, the main reason I wanted to try it was because of that cramped feeling with the fixed hook position. The extra reach feeling really only kicks in when the hook is in the centre position. No real issue, probably noticed it kiting is slightly overpowered conditions the first time out when the sensation was totally new.

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puppetonastring said...

The Freeride bar is still available (I think) but nobody uses that option.

Yep the freeride bar is available. I have found this to be a good option when swapping between TT and surfboard several times mid session. On surfboard hook slides around based on stance, on TT hook basically parks in centre unless I switch to toeside.

Have used one for a year.
Ride sb strapped , occasionally tt.
Have used most heavily notched bar and moved to the straighter bar which I more prefer . Reckon the rope would work well too.
Far less pressure on body and far greater freedom to move.
Boosting or jumping over waves , it remains set , it only moves when you twist as if going toe side .
Walking down the beach against the wind much easier as the chicken loop sits on your hip rather than the centre of body.
Not sure for tricks though. Would have thought it might not be the best
Parts do wear , use a small pulley on bar now not the plastic thingy. Reckon they could come up with a better engineered concept .
Seems pricey , but its great and makes sense.

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eddiemorgs said...
Seems pricey , but its great and makes sense.

I was thinking this about it in the shower this morning...
$170 or there abouts is nothing considering you get a professional quality product that lasts.
You soon forget about the initial outlay when you start shredding... I would've had at least 170 kites on it in the year I've had it for, and I can justify $1 every session.

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surfingboye said...

eddiemorgs said...
Seems pricey , but its great and makes sense.

I was thinking this about it in the shower this morning...
$170 or there abouts is nothing considering you get a professional quality product that lasts.
You soon forget about the initial outlay when you start shredding... I would've had at least 170 kites on it in the year I've had it for, and I can justify $1 every session.

mate I'm jealous I reckon I only get half that many kite sessions in per year.

Welll, I just bought one and looking forward to using it in my cross-on conditions. Should arrive early next week. I think Steve owes you a beer surfingboye for reminding me to hurry up and finally buy one

I have not seen the V7...just interested in it,s advantages over modding your existing harness to justify the cost.

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default said...
Welll, I just bought one and looking forward to using it in my cross-on conditions. Should arrive early next week. I think Steve owes you a beer surfingboye for reminding me to hurry up and finally buy one

haha, glad to hear you jumped on board... hopefully the non-users will jump on board and help grow their riding, at the end of the day thats all i want to see; more dudes ripping it up and going big!!!

What sort of slider did you get, race rope or free ride? Let us know how you go with it, keen to hear your thoughts.

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toppleover said...
I have not seen the V7...just interested in it,s advantages over modding your existing harness to justify the cost.

Like I said before I don't see the price being to much of an issue.
For that money you get a well designed setup, using good materials and looks professional (not dodgy homemade).

If you can't justify the cost like some won't, just mod one up.
Just learn from my experience, go to a proper marine chandler for rope! I got 6mm synthetic rope from Bunnings and it broke on its second outing.

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surfingboye said...

default said...
Welll, I just bought one and looking forward to using it in my cross-on conditions. Should arrive early next week. I think Steve owes you a beer surfingboye for reminding me to hurry up and finally buy one

haha, glad to hear you jumped on board... hopefully the non-users will jump on board and help grow their riding, at the end of the day thats all i want to see; more dudes ripping it up and going big!!!

What sort of slider did you get, race rope or free ride? Let us know how you go with it, keen to hear your thoughts.

toppleover said...
I have not seen the V7...just interested in it,s advantages over modding your existing harness to justify the cost.

Like I said before I don't see the price being to much of an issue.
For that money you get a well designed setup, using good materials and looks professional (not dodgy homemade).

If you can't justify the cost like some won't, just mod one up.
Just learn from my experience, go to a proper marine chandler for rope! I got 6mm synthetic rope from Bunnings and it broke on its second outing.

I may just end up in WA with surfingboye and I will buy him a beer or 3, ha! Kitestock or something is in the pot/plot. Warning = Bunnings are selling some really sh1tty but good looking rope, but its really really horrible stuff. If its cheap and made in China, well its probably not worth hanging your life off it.

Oh and meant to say big shipment of Dynabars arrived today, all the latest stuff from this innovative brand. Gear developed for kiting by kiters.

Kitepower (matt) helped me convert my V7 recently followed by a 11 day trip to WA, 8 days of wind, i had the V 6 but the bar broke, Kitepower supplied a new bar at no cost but i opted to convert the V7 to the rope only, matt helped with this and I now thank him for opening up the range of waves i can now attack. This is freedom on a wave, you can nearly move 270 degrees if you want to drive the board up the face and down followed by a reversal in the other direction.


totally amazing , get one but use the rope not the bar , thanks matt , im into a new level of kiting now
mc

I see that Dakine do a sliding spreader bar - anyone used both the V7 & Dakine and can offer their opinion.

DYNABAR is used by almost 3000 kiters all around the world: from beginners, experienced and up to professional kiters.

Pro kiters like Ian Alldredge
and Patrick Rebstock are using sliding hook.

JAY is sponsor of KSP rider Ryan Coote with JAY XT harness equipped with DYNABAR XT and he says "all KSP riders should use a sliding system...".



Actually harnesses with sliding bar are offered by some of our competitors, but we are proud to say that they have performances not comparable with our solution. For sure if they designed a solution is because they know this is the future in kitesurfing. Need more proof, buy a JAY XT harness or DYNABAR V7 XT and enjoy body freedom!

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surfingboye said...
What sort of slider did you get, race rope or free ride? Let us know how you go with it, keen to hear your thoughts.

arrived yesterday - the bar option was the pro wave and comes with the rope slider ready to go as you see in jays post.

Heads up though.. I needed a belt hook, as I have an Ion harness in which the hook/loop arrangement is reversed (hook is on the spreader bar) so I purchased the additional Dynabar Belt Hook to adapt my harness.. Well, the damn thing doesnt fit/is not compatible with the V7 ie. the hook is too large! see below



Edit: just did some research and it appears I was sold the belt hook that is compatible with dynabar 2

The new DYNABAR XT frame is few mm smaller and the 2011/2012 belt hook won't fit.
The 2013 2belts and 4belts fit, but it takes 2 minutes to narrow of few mm the 2011/2012 belt hook using a vice.

KITEPOWER will receive soon the new hooks.

We hope it helps!

I've been using a J-bar ever since I picked it up in 2009.
I don't know what model that was but it is awesome and yeah, the new ones look so much better with all the options that are included and less of the dangly bits! of the old models like the one I have!
I'll be updating to the new model for sure but mainly because the old one has a few weird things hanging off it that have been tearing my wetsuits to pieces every time I bend down to pick up my board!
No matter, i've noticed they've done away with these bits and anyways, my back thanks me every day. these J-bars make so much sense I don't know why they haven't caught on sooner? I reckon Ryan Coote is right and that most companies will catch on and start marketing their own versions of these.
I wonder if Jay has his patent in place yet?

Have used the dynabar V7 with the rope 4 times now kiting in waves.

Was easy to adjust too after being used to rotating the old harness to postion on toeside being a goofy footer.

Really like how you can slam your small kite around fast with max power and use the inner rope and outer stretch rope like a bungee to absorb the power so that you don't get catapulted when transitioning , even helps when you F 'up as its more forgiving .

Now I set up the dynabar on the harness slightly off centre to the right too give me that extra inch or two for goofy foot toe side riding.

Also noticed you have to adjust the non stretchy rope after first use as it stretches and you can not reach your depower( well my one ) and make sure your harness straps are tight so harness does not ride up . ( depends I suppose on what harness you use and size and me being medium size 32 inch with the larger dynabar for extra rotation )

Yep word is there will soon be several versions available from different brands.
Nothing is sacred these days.
From my brief experience in retail I'd be sticking to the tried and proven till imitations are well tested.
We have all the JAY Bar products here in Perth at KSS.