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Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 5:43 pm
by Greeny
Finally got round to starting Kiting after 15 years Winsurfing & Wakeboarding & love it, but It seems to put a lot of strain on one's back. Indeed 2 of my friends have already had back Ops within a short time of starting & another complains of back pain. Obviously they all claim no connection.

However I am concerned I will meet the same fate, any experience/views on this?

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 5:52 pm
by Guest
You better have a good harness ! :smile:

Best regards
Joao Correia

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 5:57 pm
by Dwight
That’s an easy one to answer. Keep the harness low. How you do that, is the hard part. :smile:

There is no good solution for keeping the kites pull low and off the back. Seat harnesses do this, but squeeze the nuts. :sad: Check out the Cabarete contest photos. Women (no nuts) in seats, men in waist harnesses (no boobs :sad:).

Check out photos of the master himself (Robby Naish). You’ll never see his harness riding up. Nobody keeps his harness lower than Robby. There is good reason for this, he’s smart! :eek:)

Harness design needs to improve. It’s unfortunate we don’t have more harness companies advancing designs. It’s bad that Dakine dominates the market. It hurts advancement. The 2003 Dakine catalog has the same old stuff. Somebody needs to step up and make better harness designs. If your waist harness rides up only 4 cm, it’s enough to strain the back.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Dwight on 2002-08-27 18:57 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: dwight on 2002-08-27 19:00 ]</font>

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 6:07 pm
by Guest
One way to keep the harness low is to wear an impact vest, which will hold the harness low. If you have a bad back, the seat harness will help in delivering power through your hips, not your back, but you will be bending over while riding (butt out) which will eventually cause your back to tire.

Using the waist is good, since you can straighten your back, but if it rides up you will be using back to resist the kite.

I use a prolimit kiteseat harness and unclip the leg clasps when I want to ride "waist" style...it seems to work fine.

V
http://www.chicagokitesurfing.com

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 6:31 pm
by www.kite-surf.com
I have to switch due do back problems finally from a waist to seat harness.

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 6:34 pm
by Toby
I already switched from waist to seat since I cound't walk anymore due to pain!
Thought I never can kite again, but with a seat it is all fine.
I use the Dakine Fusion Seat and it doesn't squeeze anything.
Try it before you get hurt seriously.

Good luck
Toby

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 6:45 pm
by www.kite-surf.com
That's the harness I'm looking for.

Do you ride the new ones with the new hook?

The bad thing is that it's from Dakine so it won't last more than 2 days :wink: under heavy usage...

I sometimes can't walk either due to back in pain.

The worst thing is when you loose your board and you try to bodydrag upwind...

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 7:09 pm
by Toby
Hi Robin,

I use the 2002 model which has been improved in quality.
No problems so far.
It has a grip at the back and a knife.

Greez
Toby

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 7:35 pm
by RickI
I have used the Fusion harness for about a year with good results. I call it an "amored diaper!" It provides excellent support. In addition I would recommend staying hooked in for jumps and doing Chirojoe's kiteboarding stretching warmup. It should be available online again in a week or so, I am told.

Rick Iossi

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2002 7:52 pm
by www.kite-surf.com
I never jump unhooked. I'm too weak to jump unhooked :smile:

Did anyone try one of these spreader bars from DaKine?

Does the Fusion come by default with that spreader bar? I've seen a lot of Fusions with that spreader bar...

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