Hi guys has anyone used a windsurfing seat harness for winging. Or does the spreader bar damage the board getting on and off Cheers Rich

I'm using the Dakine Solo wing foiling harness with the sliding spreader bar from my Dakine T8. I was finding it difficult hooking in using the flat hook that comes with Solo. Heaps easier with the spreader. I've been using it for about 6 weeks and so far haven't dinged the board. You just have to be a bit careful getting on the board.

I used plasti dip on the metal hook and that worked great on preventing damage to the board. I'd still recommend getting a wing harness as they're much lighter and you can still use a metal spreader bar on most of them if you want.

I've been using metal spreader bars on real windsurf/kite harnesses for years. Never even came close to dinging the board. I think the risk is over blown.

What I do see is deck pad damage with lazy technique. I lift myself higher using my elbows when climbing on.

Another issue I've experienced is black marks on the rail caused by black finished stainless steel spreader bars. I've tried plasti-dip, but found the best solution to be taking sand paper and removing the black finish and getting it back to plain bare stainless steel.

Get this just released!!!

ensis.surf/product/birdie/

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marco said..
Get this just released!!!

ensis.surf/product/birdie/

Harness part looks quite nice, hook/spreader, not as much. Use a real spreader and just slide the harness around 180 and paddle if you need to. We seem to be getting to the point where a "real" harness is almost mandatory to avoid sore lower ribs and back pain. A super lightweight harness just isn't adequate for multi mile upwinds.

I use kite harness with reshaped hook for almost 3 years. It works really well, even when wind is 23 m/s I feel comfortable with 4m wing.
I can fully load my back and do not feel too big load on it (I came from windsurfing background).
Do not feel any restrains. And it also gives additional protection for your back.
You just have to adopt right climbing technique. Watch Alan Cadiz on Youtube.

Serious question - why are you guys using these overbuilt harnesses? I would find a kite harness way overkill for winging and half the wing harnesses on the market are too big, stiff and bulky. Unless you just have a kite harness lying around and don't want to invest $50-100 into a more minimalist wing belt (fair reason), there is no need for all that bulk and it is probably doing more harm than good. I like riding with a harness hook, but in my opinion a normal belt with some light padding is plenty - even for long, powered upwind stretches. I do wear an impact vest with some light padding under my belt, but I haven't ever gotten bad rib or back pains using a lightly padded belt without stiff reinforcement. The $200 carbon wing harnesses feel like something the industry is pushing, but isn't necessary at all.

Windsurfers climb onto windsurf foil boards just as much and dont even think of it so i also agree its very overstated.
Rail tape if you paid too much for a fragile board with poor paint job.

A simple hook made out of bread cutting board works for me. There is little load compared to a windsurfer so a spreader bar isn't required or desired. My hook folds flat when climbing on the board and sticks out when I stand up, no board or pad damage.

Windsurfers get away with metal hooks and spreaders as most waterstart and rarely climb on the board.

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Velocicraptor said..
Serious question - why are you guys using these overbuilt harnesses? I would find a kite harness way overkill for winging and half the wing harnesses on the market are too big, stiff and bulky. Unless you just have a kite harness lying around and don't want to invest $50-100 into a more minimalist wing belt (fair reason), there is no need for all that bulk and it is probably doing more harm than good. I like riding with a harness hook, but in my opinion a normal belt with some light padding is plenty - even for long, powered upwind stretches. I do wear an impact vest with some light padding under my belt, but I haven't ever gotten bad rib or back pains using a lightly padded belt without stiff reinforcement. The $200 carbon wing harnesses feel like something the industry is pushing, but isn't necessary at all.

Velociraptor, you must be made of better materials than me I've been using the very simple Ozone harness for at least two years. The one made of a semi slippery fabric that is easy to spin around backwards if paddling in or out is necessary. Very nice stainless spreader bar. I even bought a second one last fall when they were on closeout for 25 bucks at Real watersports.

Yes, it works. It's good quality and lightweight. I just notice my low back and lowest ribs are often sore. A lot of factors to consider here, I'd miss the light weight and ability to spin it around easily. I guess the way I start, harness hooks are a non issue.

Most likely I'll just live with it...

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Velocicraptor said..
Serious question - why are you guys using these overbuilt harnesses?

Because some of us are loading the harness to near kiting levels. Anything less than a real harness, leaves soreness after a long hard day of driving upwind to do a down winder.

The Manera Halo is my harness choice. A soft floating wrap around the body with dual spreaders (one on the back) to prevent any squeeze. I'm floating free inside a rigid cage. It's a sick harness.

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airsail said..
A simple hook made out of bread cutting board works for me. There is little load compared to a windsurfer so a spreader bar isn't required or desired. My hook folds flat when climbing on the board and sticks out when I stand up, no board or pad damage.

Windsurfers get away with metal hooks and spreaders as most waterstart and rarely climb on the board.

Yes, if you've ever had to paddle a windsurf board with you harness on you'll know what a nuisance it is.

I have this mystic wing harness
www.mysticboarding.com/products/majestic-wing-harness?variant=47138839134552

Super lightweight but rigid with solid back plate.
The hook slides so it's great for paddling.

Coming from windsurfing this is a good compromise from a full windsurfing waist harness.

I have this mystic wing harness
www.mysticboarding.com/products/majestic-wing-harness?variant=47138839134552

Super lightweight but rigid with solid back plate.
The hook slides so it's great for paddling.

Coming from windsurfing this is a good compromise from a full windsurfing waist harness.

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Velocicraptor said..
Serious question - why are you guys using these overbuilt harnesses? I would find a kite harness way overkill for winging and half the wing harnesses on the market are too big, stiff and bulky. Unless you just have a kite harness lying around and don't want to invest $50-100 into a more minimalist wing belt (fair reason), there is no need for all that bulk and it is probably doing more harm than good. I like riding with a harness hook, but in my opinion a normal belt with some light padding is plenty - even for long, powered upwind stretches. I do wear an impact vest with some light padding under my belt, but I haven't ever gotten bad rib or back pains using a lightly padded belt without stiff reinforcement. The $200 carbon wing harnesses feel like something the industry is pushing, but isn't necessary at all.

It all depends on your preferences. For me kite harness is a joy and helps to save my back. With wing belt you never be able to fully transfer load from hands into back and ride with overpowered conditions for few hours. You need to have harness as wide as possible and hook as ridig and fixed, not hanging on the belt and twisting.
If you have ever ridden windsurfing formula equipment with 10-12m2 sails as I did for many years. Than you possibly would use similar harness and style of riding. I never fully grab the boom or the handles with my fingers. I just grab with end of my fingers and steer, all load goes to the back. This helps especially if I ride with warm and thick gloves.

Fair enough. To each their own. Maybe I just prefer smaller gear and don't ride as powered as others? Last week I did several sessions with many miles upwind in high teens - 20+ knots on a 4m. The Manera wing belt (light padding, minimalist design), with a light impact vest under it was plenty for me. No back or rib pain. Maybe the impact vest is helping a bit.

I used to use the Ride Engine Vinaka wing harness and found it too restrictive and much prefer the freedom of the lighter belt.

I kited before winging and personally have my doubts as to whether its even possible to incur "kite forces" with a wing. Looping a kite, or even diving a kite is going to give much more pull than a wing could ever give.

Ex windsurfer, seat harness is too much, you are not putting applying mast foot pressure, you just need a support on your arms, The Dakine Solo Wing Harness is great, it has a hook which is flat and you can fold it away, never damages the board, gives good back support, and I attach the board leash with a quick connector to the rear of the harness as it has a line covered in a plastic sheath that allows it to slide left to right and vice a versa.Really great product. wind.dakine.com/products/solo-wing-harness?variant=41082880164023