I have been recommended to start using a windsurfing harness....?

Question

Should I use a seat or a back one. What is the difference and what are the merits and downfalls of each? Which would you recommend for easy use by a 15 year old? And finally (sorry it's so long and extensive) where could I get one for under £50? Thank you so much!

Answer 1

It's more about sailing style and also ease of use.

Seat harnesses generate more power and make it much easier to get all your weight through the harness and lower likelihood of a poor stance giving you back pain. It is probably the preferred route for speed sailing, flattish water blasting etc.

However a waist harness is easier to hook in and out of (it has a higher hook and should be used with slightly longer lines) and is therefore a bit easier to learn with. It became popular because when sailing actively in and out of the harness (waves and freestyle) it is much easier. It is probably also easier to use with a more upright stance that freestyle and a most modern wavesailing styles and many modern 'crossover' boards encourage.Other practical point is that you don't have strappy bits going through your legs so if you are a fashion victim you will go this route for sure! It IS a bit harder to get the right stance with it though, although it is worth doing because you need to learn a proper sailing stance anyway.

You can go either route but on balance nowadays I would go for a waist if you are learning - much easier to then change to a seat (than vice versa) if you fancy trying it (a seat harness IS more 'relaxing') or need raw power for racing past your mates later on. Also modern waist harnesses tend to have excellent back support.

Chest harnesses (with straps over the shoulders) have been defunct since the late 80s - don't let someone flog you one of these!

Also don't let someone sell you short harness lines (like 22"), particularly if you are going with a waist harness - it makes almost everything harder!!! Depends a bit on your height and arm length, but I would get adjustables (so that you can find your favourite length) that go up to at least 28 inches

You should be able to find something for 50 quid - I give mine a good thrashing but never get top of the range model or with gimmicks etc. Just get the basic model You could phone up the likes of Surfstore, Robin Hood or Riks and see what they have available or try e-bay or the boards classified (www.boards.co.uk). If buying second hand find something less than 3 years old they have got a lot better in that period (particularly waist harnesses).

Answer 2

It depends on your stamina. The seat harness will distribute the weight between your legs and back while the back one is putting more pressure on your back. If you spending a lot of time in the water maybe seat harness will be better. You should check if some windsurf shop will let you demo the both types so you could try for yourself. For cheap stuff try ikitesurf.com they have used stuff and could ship to UK .