So I'm almost there:) had my first lesson today, introduction to kiting, just flying the kite on land basically, learning about the wind direction and how to control the kite etc etc you know you all been there before, was a very valueable lesson and what's even better is it was a chic instructor who I felt completely comfortable with. So looking to book my next lesson shortly, body dragging and she's happy to use my gear if it's suitable which is even better so time to go get me a harness. Buying brand new, not too phased about the price but dont want to get ripped off either. I don't really like the thought of the vest harness, and the seat harness I think would bother me having the straps around my legs, not only that but I really want good support for my lower back so am thinking the waist harness suits me. My instructor agreed and I do plan on going to many shops over the next week or two and trying many on, what I would like to hear is what others are using, your size and the brand you use etc and why, might just help a bit if you don't mind:)
Chelle:)

As a beginner, you would be safer in a seat harness, as it never rides up. If your kite goes out of control and takes you for a ride, a constraining waist harness around the chest may prove to be a little too challenging.......and unless you have a masculine type athletic body, your waist harness will (!!) slide up.
The strap around the thigh on a seat harness would likely bother a man more, than a woman, if it is not the right fit...otherwise it is fine. As for back support, again, a seat harness is a better choice for most riders. You may also find much easier to jump and lift your board up above your head, when in a seat harness. Waist harness will be an advantage when you need full mobility for your hip, you unhook, or you become a hard core wave rider.
Try different harnesses, but remember, that they feel very different when your kite is hooked onto them.
I don't think there is major price difference between the different brands. They are all very good as long as they fit. Whatever you choose, you will likely to change it in a few months. But it will all be fun.

I feel a seat harness is best to learn with as the frequently high kite angle and body dragging means a waist harness for most people will end up around your boobs and armpits- not comfy!
Otherwise, you just need to try lots of harnesses and try them out hooked into something and hang/pull back to see how they feel- what works for one girl wont neccessarily work for another.

We had a young chic learner in on Sat to buy her 1st harness. Shape told me 'seat' but she wasnt going anywhere near any of those 'nappy' things.
Obviously very fashion conscious and desperate to look cool regardless.
We tried every waist in the shop including some of the school harnesses - ladies and mens but nothing seemed to work - even the coolest ones. Bummer.
At about the right time I suggested at least trying one of the less conspicuous seats and guess what ?? She loved it! Sat right, felt right, comfy on all angles etc etc.
She even decided the graphics made it 'pretty cool' as well..
Left the shop a very happy punter.

Dont let fashion dictate - buy the gear that works for you.

BTW - it was a ladies Dakine wahine - in very fashionable shades of black & white

Hey Darren what's your opening hours, was out your way today but looked like you were closed, I couldn't see open times on the webpage. Would like to check out your range too:)

i've never worn a seat but i can imagine it causing chaffing as you have to walk a lot with wet boardies when you are learning

waist ones do tend to ride up but i've still used mine...

defintely keep in mind that you will loose some weight around your mid section. My first harness is too big these days.

puppetonastring said...


Dont let fashion dictate - buy the gear that works for you.

Hey Puppet,

Fashion has nothing to do with choosing the right harness. Seat harnesses are a left over from an era when harnesses weren't designed or made well for guys let alone women who generally weren't even considered. They originate back in the days of windsurfing and moved into kitesurfing early on as waist harnesses all rode up, some really badly.

Seat harnesses make upwind body dragging to get your board back almost impossible as the hook position is too low and create a pivot point below the centre of balance when body dragging ensuring you go downwind with all but perfect technique and strength.

Seat harnesses when worn snugly prevent beginners from crouching up tight when water starting which means you need to keep you legs more extended. This allows the kite to easily rotate you around on to your back looking at the kite from upside down which results in a lost board, crashed kite and a long upwind body drag to start again. This is tiring and makes the learning curve much more exhausting and frustrating than it need be.

Seat harnesses being lower than your belly button make you top heavy in jumps whereas a waist makes your legs want to swing back down in the correct position for landing.

A Seat harness is almost impossible to ride toeside or in surf as the hook will not rotate toward the direction of the kite. Forget about riding blind, it will never happen in a seat harness.

A properly fitted waist harness, correctly tightened and fitted will make life easy and won't ride up that much. This is why we don't stock seats as a general rule but we do have Perth's biggest range of ladies harnesses to make sure we have the right fit for each female kiter.

Other arguments that are pro seat, had some weight about 5 years ago, but times have changed..................Thankfully!

It has nothing to do with fashion, it's all about functionality. Why make learning harder than it needs to be?

DM