The
harness is a
trapezeIn sailing, the trapeze refers to a wire that comes from a point high on the mast, usually where the shrouds are fixed, to a hook on the crew member's harness at approximately waist level...
used in the sports of
windsurfingWindsurfing is a surface water sport using a windsurf board usually two to four meters long and powered by the effect of the wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and comprises a mast, wishbone boom and sail...
and
kitesurfingKitesurfing or kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard . Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more "wave-riding" oriented...
to connect the rider to the
rigRig may refer to:* Rig , a musical group of the early 1970s*Rig, Afghanistan* Rig, the configuration of sails and other rigging on a sailing vessel...
by a line attached to the
boomA boom ,in the context of windsurfing, is a piece of equipment that attaches to the mast, providing structural support for the sail. Early booms were tied on to the mast, using rope, but most newer booms use a clamp mechanism for attachment. Booms are commonly made from aluminum, or carbon fibre,...
or
kitesurfing Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard . Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more "wave-riding" oriented...
bar. It consists of a girdle-like contraption that is worn around the body, with a hook for attachment. Hooking-in the harness is done by pulling the sail toward the body and hooking into the harness lines on the boom. The harness turns windsurfing into a long lasting activity, taking the weight of the sail off the arms of the windsurfer.
There are four basic types of harnesses:
- The waist harness: Worn around the waist and lower back, providing back support.
- Crossover Harness (ie Dakine XT) Fits around the backside but has padding and support for the back as well.
- The seat (or slalom) harness: Fits around the backside, with straps that pass between the legs.
- The chest harness: Fits over the chest like a vest, providing buoyancy and padding for protection.
The first truly functional harness was developed by Pat Love and Ken Kleid of Windsurfing Hawaii in
Kailua, HawaiiKailua is a census-designated place in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. It lies in the Koolaupoko District of Oahu on the windward coast at Kailua Bay. It is in the judicial district and the ahupua'a named Ko'olaupoko. It is northeast of Honolulu - over Nu‘uanu Pali...
in about 1974.
The
harness is a
trapezeIn sailing, the trapeze refers to a wire that comes from a point high on the mast, usually where the shrouds are fixed, to a hook on the crew member's harness at approximately waist level...
used in the sports of
windsurfingWindsurfing is a surface water sport using a windsurf board usually two to four meters long and powered by the effect of the wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and comprises a mast, wishbone boom and sail...
and
kitesurfingKitesurfing or kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard . Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more "wave-riding" oriented...
to connect the rider to the
rigRig may refer to:* Rig , a musical group of the early 1970s*Rig, Afghanistan* Rig, the configuration of sails and other rigging on a sailing vessel...
by a line attached to the
boomA boom ,in the context of windsurfing, is a piece of equipment that attaches to the mast, providing structural support for the sail. Early booms were tied on to the mast, using rope, but most newer booms use a clamp mechanism for attachment. Booms are commonly made from aluminum, or carbon fibre,...
or
kitesurfing Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard . Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more "wave-riding" oriented...
bar. It consists of a girdle-like contraption that is worn around the body, with a hook for attachment. Hooking-in the harness is done by pulling the sail toward the body and hooking into the harness lines on the boom. The harness turns windsurfing into a long lasting activity, taking the weight of the sail off the arms of the windsurfer.
Types of harnesses
There are four basic types of harnesses:
- The waist harness: Worn around the waist and lower back, providing back support.
- Crossover Harness (ie Dakine XT) Fits around the backside but has padding and support for the back as well.
- The seat (or slalom) harness: Fits around the backside, with straps that pass between the legs.
- The chest harness: Fits over the chest like a vest, providing buoyancy and padding for protection.
History and development
The first truly functional harness was developed by Pat Love and Ken Kleid of Windsurfing Hawaii in
Kailua, HawaiiKailua is a census-designated place in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. It lies in the Koolaupoko District of Oahu on the windward coast at Kailua Bay. It is in the judicial district and the ahupua'a named Ko'olaupoko. It is northeast of Honolulu - over Nu‘uanu Pali...
in about 1974. It consisted of a vest-like nylon jacket to which a hook was attached. The sailor used the hook to attach to lines attached to each of the wishbone booms.
When future world champion
Robby NaishRobert Staunton Naish is one of the first athletes to have gained long-lasting international fame in the sport of windsurfing. At a young age, his father, competitive surfer and surfboard shaper Rick Naish, moved the family from California to Kailua, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu...
began using a harness in Kailua in 1975 when he was twelve years old, he had problems with his chest being painfully squeezed by the force on the hook. Mike Horgan and Larry Stanley developed a spreader bar to balance the load and prevent the harness from squeezing the wearer's chest. The spreader bar is now in almost universal use.
Many companies have developed the harness over the years with major innovations coming from
DaKineDaKine is an outdoor apparel company specializing in sportswear and sports equipment for alternative sports. The name of the company comes from the Hawaiian Pidgin word "da kine" .- History :...
and Windsurfing Hawaii.
External links and references
Watertrader magazine Looking Cool & Improving Technique Online tutorial