Got to get a new harness ... have been using a seat (throwback from windsurfing days) but, thinking a waist harness may be better ... I'm 183cm (6') and about 83kg's ... no real waves here in Samui, so it's just flat water kiting ...
Would appreciate peoples thoughts on the pro's and cons of both.
(Can get a Cabrinha waist or seat harness here for around aud$135)

Have used both seat and waist harness. Everyone is different and wave riders usually use a waist harness, but I hated the waist harness. It used to ride up all the time (perhaps it didn't fit right) sore ribs were the biggest problem.

Just purchased a Dakine Storm seat harness. Very comfy harness. You can buy a bar pad that stops the bar digging into your beer gut. Would recomend a seat harness for your area.

Ps, bet life is tough living in Thailand!!!! lucky bastard......

G'day mate. Ive always used a Dakine Fusion seat but in recent times have been using a Dakine Tabu waist.
Definitely required a bit of getting used to and needs about 5 or 6 sessions to " break it in " . By this I mean for it to mould to your own body shape.
I also recall it being a bit of a problem initially if I did it up too tight. Used to restrict lung expansion a bit and it gave the lower rib area a bit of a work out - However, now that it is broken in I find it very comfortable .
The main difference I find between it and the seat is the lower body freedom - you can really fold up in a jump and also the position of kite pull on the harness hook is significantly different.Seat harness gives a much lower pull angle whereas I find the angle achieved with the waist allows me to set for the jump and achieve pop with ease.

Although I haven't tested it in long sessions as yet I don't think it will be as good as the seat for prolonged riding. But as I said - untested and we haven't had decent wind in Sydney for an eight hour sess in quite a while.
The other thing I should mention is that its great on a hot day to be able to ride in boardies without strangling the tackle with the seat harness leg straps.
Hopes this helps a bit.
regards
col
Ps. you notice on the first few sessions with a waist harness that your lower back gets a good workout,however, this disappears once muscle mass is built up.

Hey Buzz...

Buying and commenting on whether to buy a seat or waste harness is a very individual and preferenced comment. I had two lessons on a girls waist harness and found it very comfortable. After these lessons, I however bought a seat harness as I could hold more power as a beginner, and found it more comfortable as it eliminated the 'upward pull' and also the force on my ribs. My harness is a Dakine Hawaii Fusion 'S' and for me, it's perfectly. I recently used my boyfriends harness for about an hour so his younger bro could wear mine for a lesson. It gives a completely different pull as you're centre of gravity has been altered, and this also makes you're stance slightly different, and a little while to get used to. This harness was a near-perefect fit, however, witht eh force of the kite it did pull up and the pressure on my ribs was painful. Before you buy a waist harness, ask a mate if you can use his harness for 30minutes, because if you don't like the pull, or the comfort factor, you may have saved yourself the money.

All the best with your search