hi guys,

just wondered what people where using for speed runs. years ago i used a seat harness and as fashions changed the thing to have was a waist so bought one, it felt wrong to start but carryed on using it. in the end i felt that it was hurting my back a bit and really got pigged with it riding up (dakine waist about 05/06), so i dug out the old seat and instantly it felt right, at this time i just got into cambered sails and used a fast free ride board mainly sailing square when a gust hit looking back i just dig in and went for it, so i wasnt really going for it.
now with a year or so on im getting more into the true speed seeking, knowing i have to be really broad and fully loaded etc. i have replaced all my kit all bar my old seat harness, i havnt used the waist for years but a friend who recently went on a course with a pro practically threw his seat harness in the bin and claimed waist is the way to go! which got me thinking about the whole leverage issue.
i know as a lot of things its a personal thing but for what reasons? if a waist..why? if a seat..why?
what are your thoughts folks????

I went from waist back to seat purely because the seat holds the bar in position better.
I found the waist harness would loosen off a bit in the water and would end up around my armpits.
With the seat i found there was a lot less vertical movement in the bar once it was tightened. This meant i could fine tune the harness lines a lot better making them more consistant from one session to another.

Craig

If you're talking speed, then the perceived wisdom is that a seat is better.

That said, the fastest harness is normally the one that makes you most comfortable -- I've got both, and only use the waist because I just can't come to grips with my seat harness...

hth

a friend who recently went on a course with a pro practically threw his seat harness in the bin and claimed waist is the way to go! which got me thinking about the whole leverage issue.
i know as a lot of things its a personal thing but for what reasons? if a waist..why? if a seat..why?

I wonder if your friend was on a slalom course with the pro?
Many sailors use a waist harness for slalom and from my experience this is because hook-in/ hook-out is smoother as you enter and exit the gybes and slalom is more about gybe and acceleration than top speed (relative to speed sailing).
I've tried both types on speed sessions and imho seat is better when you get those huge gusts and do the bear off with the gust.
You can really 'sit on' the pull and hold onto the power with the seat harness.
I'm a lightweight though and I guess if you are a real big gorilla the waist harness may be ok for the big bear off.

I have used both on my speed board and in my opinion a seat is superior. I found I can get my weight outboard easier, with more weight on the harness and less on my feet,effectively sailing "lighter". I find you are more locked in as well and your body seems to be less prone to getting jerked out of position when you get a big gust.
I use a waist for Bump and Jump for sure but prefer a seat on speed and race gear.
Everybody will a have a personal prefference though.

te hau, firstly is that a pic of you going over the handle bars? either way send me a full size version thats a classic! secondly yes he was on a slalom type course, and what you say makes sense.
as said before when i got back into my seat harness it ws like an friend, funny though all my kit is 09 then im blatting around in 10 year old harness wether right or wrong i prefer the 'sit' on it style

Hi East coast,
re the pic,..... not me but one of my mates.
I'm stealing his thunder, great pic and such style, I had to use it. Don't have the original.

I'm like Mr Love - Seat harness - seems to allow you to get more downforce on the board allowing you to carry a larger sail. Waist harness fro B&J


- J

its a killer eh? it reminds me of a pic years ago i saw in 'boards' it was a shot of a guy coming in over some knarly stuff back in the 80/90's. he lost it big time, his hands were on the boom and the body was straight up in the air (imagine a gymnast on those bendy bars) the timing on the camera was once in a life time. everytime i saw it i wet my self. in fact i would dig it out occaisionaly when i needed a chuckle. never fails to amuse me

"seat or waist harness for speed?" ????

Big Question without testing thoroughly.
With the lack of opportunity for speed sailing & testing I would like to know which is best?

After seeing footage from the 2009 Karpathos Speed World Cup most are using a waist harness. But then majority of those Sailors are built like Guerrillas, tall & heavy.

For light weights (avr 80kg) & height (avr 180cm) what is the consensus for type of harness for speed sailing broad & in choppy water?

Does sailing/water conditions dictate "seat or waist harness" for speed?

Love the waisty for everything. Speed, formula and waves I feel I just get more control when you're trying sail on the edge.

Mark Pederson forced me off my seat harness about 10 years ago as he found it gave him the control to compete against the bigger guys at the time like Bjorn and Anders who got more benefit out the seat.

Sam.

Select to expand quote

WINDSURFnSNOW said...

Love the waisty for everything. Speed, formula and waves I feel I just get more control when you're trying sail on the edge.

Mark Pederson forced me off my seat harness about 10 years ago as he found it gave him the control to compete against the bigger guys at the time like Bjorn and Anders who got more benefit out the seat.

Sam.

Don't they ride up? i used to have one when i first started sailing and it used to end up under my arm pits are the new ones less prone to do this?
My seat harness hook is nearly the same height as a waist harness.

I don't think any of the fast regulars at the PiT use a waist harness. Seat harnesses rule down there. Allows one to get weight more outboard with the sail more upright for better leverage IMHO. Also allows the wearing of most weight or buoyancy vests easier.