dude there's something wrong with the fit of your harness if it's doing that. or maybe you just have immense, basketball sized testicles? Unless there's some form of elephantiasis or other medical condition going on here, then you simply have the wrong harness for your body shape man. I wear a seat harness all the time because it gives me better edge control when extremely powered (i'm light and i need to keep my centre of gravity as low as possible, the lower the attachment point to the kite is on my body the easier this is) and also because it doesn't hurt my back when doing lots of big airs (which i do all the time).

Saying a seat harness is for noobs is not really true man, despite what all the posers will tell you, it's simply a comfort thing. Sure if you're doing some hardass wakestyle flipflops a waist harness might give you some more ease with the body rotation, or if you're a hardcore strapless surf-rider you might appreciate the extra body rotation that you can attain, but for 99% of riders it makes no real difference except for comfort.

PS Just to clarify - the straps aren't actually digging into my bean bag, but rather just my general groin area - which is causing general groin pain - not specific bean bag pain.

Er..ahem. I know that was prolly a wee bit too specific for those of you eating a meal right now....

buckwheat said...

PS Just to clarify - the straps aren't actually digging into my bean bag, but rather just my general groin area - which is causing general groin pain - not specific bean bag pain.

Er..ahem. I know that was prolly a wee bit too specific for those of you eating a meal right now....

ah okay, i see the problem. there's a few things to try:

1) satin boxers under your boardies work a treat to stop chafing from the straps

2) (this one is a bit weird, but it works) throw some vaseline around the groin area before a session so it doesn't chafe

3) harden the f$ck up and walk with the kite at 10 instead, apparently it's safer

you could also try a different harness as suggested, although i've tried a few waist harnesses and always end up back with my seat harness, so much more comfortable, but that's just me. i think it helps if you have a bit of a gut to sit the harness under so it doesn't ride up. i have no such gut, so every waist harness i've tried ends up under my armpits.

try pushing your shoulders back and hips forward .It will improve your kiting and take the strain off your kahunas

I tryed about 6 different waist harness , then settled for a seat harness . What ever is comfortable man ,,,

They can be a bit pricey but I wear compreasion shorts when ever I go kiting. Tends to keep everything in the right spot and chaf****e is non-exsistant. Their about $50 a pair but well worth it especially in the summer months.

sweet guys - all good tips. I may duck down to my local shop and have a squiz at some other harnesses that might be more comfortable. Not knowing what was what when I first started, I did buy a pretty cheap harness.

Definitely eliminating the walk of shame is my first priority! I think I'm pretty close to going upwind, its falling into the drink every time I change direction thats losing me ground. Still trying to figure out the exact timing of transferring my weight, changing board direction and swinging the kite.

I had also presumed that the progression from seat to waist was normal - nice to know that it isn't necessarily the case.

Cheers everyone

One more thing I just remembered. If your arms are short, like mine, you might find a waist harness puts the bar out of reach when the kite is fully depowered, at least on my switchblade. A seat harness, sitting a bit lower brings the bar closer to you in all situations.

buckwheat said...

walshd I have a Cabrinha - and yeah I have been doing the tightening thing at 3, but it didn't seem to help - ie the straps were as tight as I could get them and it was still painful.

Maybe the Cabrinha will fit the girlfriend - and there's nothing like having an excuse to buy new gear!

I meant loosen the leg straps off before the walk, then tighten them up again before you hit the water

Kitehard, ta for that - will peruse your website and have a look!

walshd - I hadn't thought of that - will give it a go next time.

Big thumbs up for all the help

There's no correlation between your skill level and whether you wear or waist or seat harness-it's really just a matter of personal preference.

One thing that I prefer with a waist harness is that when pointing hard or hooked on the waves it rotates around so that it's better orientated towards the kite whilst your body is 'tweaked'.

lotofwind said...

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you younger crew will not get that.classic tv
does anyone else remember that
for the life of me I cant think of the two cops names????
A bit of help from the old timers? Grump old man steve?Or maybe Mrfloaties

Punch and Baker

Puncharello and John Baker
It's not about being old it's about having a memory that can actually retain stuff...

lotofwind said...

attention all veiwers,chips will return in a moment.nice avatar buckwheat.


you younger crew will not get that.classic tv
does anyone else remember that
for the life of me I cant think of the two cops names????
A bit of help from the old timers? Grump old man steve?Or maybe Mrfloaties

Yep,

It was Frank Poncherello and Jon Baker. California Highway Patrol. Classic!

Have a look at http://www.chips-tv.com/FAQ/fans.shtml

Good winds,