Im still new to the sport and have a waist and seat harness..just wondering about the pros and cons of either harness..
I moved to seat harness in the beginning when I had trouble getting into the straps, made it easier to put my weight into it at the moment of lifting the front foot and avoid the board to swerve upwind. I find it is a bit restrictive and heavy though, maybe will look for a lighter model. I don't like the tendency of the waist harness to keep sliding up
I've read that a seat harness is more commonly used for blasting such as in speed sailing and possibly slalom (don't quote me on that). A waist harness is a more common harness and is utilized by wave sailors, freestyle sailors ect... as it has more flexibility.
Probably better off with a waist harness but it seems that some people just can't wear a waist harness as it either hurts the back or keeps sliding up no matter how tight it is.
Some people car'nt ware seat harness's, i know some one who just got a seat harness after 10 years of using a waist harness, used it 2-3 times & it got thrown up the beach into the park & he got the waist harness out again & he wonted a seat harness.
with a seat harness you will be able to go faster up wind better and hold down a bigger sail . but yeah the wave guys seem to like the waist i guess its better for what they want .
Personally i use a waist harness the works like a seat harness.
comfort is the key...If it does not feel right you won't enjoy your windsurfing.
Low hook height works best..if you can keep the hook down ( harness not slipping up ) it will work best.
If your a lightweight seats are good. Only disadvantage I've found with my new one is it restricts my legs so it's harder to lift them to get onto the board to uphaul or waterstart.So in that respect a waist would be better in the surf for waterstarting.
Still it all depends on brand/fit ..my older seat harness didn't restrict your leg movement as much ( less bulk around the top of the leg).
Just switched to a waist harness after many many years in a seat or surf seat (higher hook with leg straps).
After trying a few different ones I went for the Flying Objects contour but worn with a wider bar so that when tight it fits buckle to buckle (no webbing between buckle and bar). Worn on the hips (important to keep low, thanks Mr Cribb) it is not much higher than my seat and has made sailing on my wave gear much easier/ better.
Easier to unhook / hook in and more freedom.
However I do feel that it is a more physical sail than with the seat.
As has been suggested before in harness threads... go to a shop and hang off a line in lots of different ones and don't be afraid to make alterations to get the right comfort / fit.
Nobody wear a CHEST harness except me? 
Granted its 28 years old and hasn't been used for 27 of those years 
its still going great guns. Has a built in life jacket to boot.
AND I use the the hook pointing UP (this guy for real I can hear you say). I just find it easier to unhook in gusts, etc with it pointing up (the hook that is) and the connection point on my chest.
its still going great guns. Has a built in life jacket to boot. (this guy for real I can hear you say). I just find it easier to unhook in gusts, etc with it pointing up (the hook that is) and the connection point on my chest.
its still going great guns. Has a built in life jacket to boot. (this guy for real I can hear you say). I just find it easier to unhook in gusts, etc with it pointing up (the hook that is) and the connection point on my chest.
its still going great guns. Has a built in life jacket to boot. (this guy for real I can hear you say). I just find it easier to unhook in gusts, etc with it pointing up (the hook that is) and the connection point on my chest.
I carnt even quote you DRJ I dont know how.
Its the f**king internet not a text book writen to teach gods
like yourself how to type the **** that dribbles out of your
mouth.
I used a waist harness for a year when I first started, but it was making my back ache (after one session, I was laid up). It's a personal thing I think. Try them both (borrow a mates), and use what works for you 
