Waist Harness Guide 2019
Windsurf|Issue 390 - October 2019
The waist harness has been around for years, but still continues to evolve as use of new materials make them lighter, more supportive and generally accepted as a worthwhile investment unless you’re a fan of chronic back pain. If you’re looking to upgrade, we’ve got a selection of brands together to tell us about their latest offerings, while PWA pros Adam Lewis and Dieter Van der Eyken give us their top tips for waist harnesses.
Adam Lewis, Dieter Van der Eyken
Waist Harness Guide 2019

ADAM LEWIS

I look for a mix between comfort and support. When you are putting in long hours on the water and it’s firing you don’t want to have to come in when your back is sore. So the support and comfort is key really. Some riders prefer a stiff harness, but as long as I can move around and it supports me, that’s fine for me. With ION we have been working on the hook for the last few years. The system has really improved, it is easier to use and has a really good quick release. The weight has improved also as well as the materials to help it repel and not retain water. Personally I use the Radium, which is the best all-round harness for me. It just feels very comfortable on me and supports me well. Harnesses are a really personal thing and when you change harness it can be a weird feeling to start off with. You have to give a new harness a bit of time to get used to the way it supports you and how it feels. It is your main contact with the rig so it is very important. If you have a bad harness your back will start hurting quite quickly. If you have the right support then you can maximise your time on the water. In the UK you might only score a day or two in a month, so when you sail you want to be on the water as much as possible.

“I LOOK FOR A MIX BETWEEN COMFORT AND SUPPORT.”

DIETER VAN DER EYKEN

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WINDSURFView all
New School
Windsurf

New School

Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
Changes
Windsurf

Changes

Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
THE LAST WAVE
Windsurf

THE LAST WAVE

Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
Windsurf

STILL IN THE GAME

After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!

time-read
8 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
Windsurf

MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT

This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.

time-read
5 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
Windsurf

SOUTH' KIPA

Nik tweaking it over home waters.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
A NEW NORMAL
Windsurf

A NEW NORMAL

On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Windsurf

TACKING – THE SEQUEL

Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Windsurf

‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *

Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020
Windsurf

REDEMPTION DAY!

Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 396 - August 2020