I've only been kiting for a short time and have been using the NP Mirage waist harness which is apparently a decent one and I have even read it has helped people with bad backs..

I do not usually have a bad back, but find that what is making me come in is getting a bad back on the water..the harness is fine for 15-20 mins but it tends to ride up my body no matter how tight I do it up. I come from a windsurfing back ground and always had a waist harness for the waves so thought to get the same for kiting but it's really uncomfortable.

Perhaps it's a bit of beginner poo stance (although I really try to be aware and not do it) or a waist harness is not for me. I learnt kiting to get into waves, is a seat or waist better for this and has anybody found a seat better for lower back pain over a waist?

Maybe your standing up too much, try leaning back a bit more so your harness doesn't pull up also when possible have your kite lower down.... This helps me get a couple of hours out of my harness before it effects my back.

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Phil27 said..
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.....has anybody found a seat better for lower back pain over a waist?

Yep. I have had lower back issues on and off since a bad car accident 20ish years ago. I started Kiting with a waist harness and was OK for over a year until one day….

Changed to a seat harness (actually using boardshort harness) and problem gone.

back problems solved when i switched to seat harness

fly your kite lower = harness pulls out, not up.

It could be your stance and how you fly the kite.

The Ocean Rodeo Session is a waist harness with detachable leg straps which attach at the sides of the harness, so you still have freedom to bend back and forward.

Waist harnesses always move around. You just get used to moving them back into position whilst putting your board on your feet. Some are even designed to swivel/slip around your body (prolimit kite waist) to make riding toeside easier.

I don't surf waves but I'd be surprised if you get the same flexibility with a seat harness.

North also do a convertible harness, the transformer and I believe the new airstyler has an optional leg strap package like the OR Session harness

Back pain can be due to a lot of reasons. What other sports do you do? Do you have good flexibility? Do you work on your core strength (I noticed I needed more core stability in kitesurfing than windsurfing but less upper body strength)?

I would be inclined to believe that a different harness may cover up a pre-existing weakness better but I'd be surprised if it caused it. I only get a sore back if I'm flying a kite that's too large so I'm sheeted out much of the time (hence my stance is slightly bent forwards). A seat harness here would help as they typically bring the bar closer but its not the only solution.

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surfingboye said..
fly your kite lower = harness pulls out, not up.

All good until u wanna booOoost!

Hey Phil,

I'm worried about the same thing so am looking at a board short harness and replacing the spreader bar with a Dynabar to give back some motion.
It seems to do the trick & peoples reviews seem pretty good.

Another option is the Engine custom built harness, which is supposedto reduce the slippage. The exchange rate isn't as good now but look into that if you want to stick with the waist harness.

Let us know how you go.
Marcus

You need to be aware that if your back problem is compression related a seat harness may actually make it worse, get some core strength happening , type of conditions and board type can also give your back agro

Cheers, good comments there and I do like the idea of the hybrid harness. Like I said it is probably something to do with poor beginners technique but I really do concentrate on stAnding straight with hips pushed out. I do try to push harness back down when I'm sitting in the water but don't really get too far.
I will keep at it a little longer and if it's still givin me pain I shall look look into the suggested harnesses. Doing a few planks and core exercises won't do any harm either..

The problem is most beginners spend a lot of time with the kite at 12, especially when in the water learning water starts and crashing or learning to boost etc where more experienced people rarely leave the kite at 12. Get the boardshort harness ride that for a year with a focus on keeping your kite lower then sell the boardshorts as you wont have that problem anymore and you will have the np just sitting there waiting for you. worked for me