U r right, it is built to connect on back, but there is room on the right or left front on the spreader bar if you push a bit of the fabric out of the way. u are right it is smarter to connect on the front.

As to why harness builders keep putting the attachments on the back . . . . because it looks cooler because you are all "wakestyle" or something? I dunno.

In wakestyle you have your harness connected to a slider on the back so the connection point can slide to the right or left supposed to help you for doing handle passes.

i posted this... or so i thought.
Yes, it does go on the side rings, but it can be difficult to reach, so the front is also possible. I had an instance in my first solo session where the kite stalled and I pulled the release... as the kite fell i got dragged on my back for about 30 feet. My initial reaction was to get out of the harness.... under load... won't work. It scared me pretty good. Having it on the front would have maybe allow me to putt it. I always tell students this: take your gear to a park and practice setting up your kite (don't fly it). THen set up your bar, but tie the lines foo to a post of some kind. Hook in to the harness and practice your safety and release systems. You should know this COLD. In a real situation, you'll more than likely only have one shot to make a decision... make it count. By practicing, you'll have muscle memory built up and your default reaction would be the release.

You can also practice the self rescue (somewhat) on dry land without ever launching the kite.

great thanks kite culture. Yeah I just can't see your quickest reaction to reach the release at your back side, but maybe I will follow your advise, and tie to a pole and feel where the quick release feels most comfortable, to reach under emergency situation.

make sure you practice release with kite under load, WHEN your properly trained.

You do know you can be made into a paraplegic in this sport right?

Hi keegster17,

Just wondering what you have against taking a lesson???

If you don't plan on taking a lesson, you really should watch this video about 10 times so you might grow in a little healthy respect for how dangerous this sport can be...

PS. All of these comments are helpful if you read between the lines. If you choose not to take a lesson, by all means wear a kite leash because it will be easier to identify your body after its been dragged across rocks, a field, trees, maybe a fence...rooftops...and understand what happened...really.