Hello All,

Looking for opinions on buggy seat harness use. Conditions to use a harness and better yet conditions you SHOULD not use a harness.

I usually buggy on the beach with periodic trips to an old Airforce base in N California.

Thanks

A harness should be used by experienced traction kiters to provide a secure balanced tether point to prevent upper body fatigue and avoid being pulled forward as can easily happen while flying by hands alone.

The only time to NOT use a harness is during the period when you are first learning kite and buggy control. Use of a harness should be integrated soon afterward. But even experienced power kiters should use a safety quick release system when riding with a harness.

My favorite seat harness is the Kiteseat Combo from Pro Limit. Here is the writeup about it:

Kite Seat/Waist Combo harness with medium hook height for higher center of pull for kiting. Lower lap strap to keep the bar from riding up and heavy-duty 25mm leg straps. Hold down handle and leash connection points. Dual webbing spreader distributes the load evenly to the lower part of the harness when the kite is vertical without sacrificing back support.

Features:
Tri Axis 3D Seam Shaping
25mm HD Leg Strap Buckles
Internal Load Distribution Plate
3D Molded Pillow
Patented QR Pin Spreader Bar
Optional Bar Pad

http://www.pro-limit.nl/displayitem.php3?item_id=1117

I use the cabriana seat harness and just rigged up a pulley and a 360 swivel to spreader bar w/ latch relase for safety works great cost about $90

DOOMWHEELS IS RIGHT LISTEN TO HIM
here is my small opinion
once you are familiar with your kite and its responses you should be able to use a harness no problem, its a little diferent than holding it by hand though, you can fly your kite with one hand most of the time when using a harnes, if the wind is moderate its okay to use a harness, but if its blowing trees down you probably shouldnt even be flying a traction kite, but if you must, dont hook yourself to it unless you have a quick release system... once in the buggie with a harness, its a diferent type of pull , you feel like you have constant traction, not like with your arms, they act like shocks alot of the power is lost through your arms,
just remember to respect the power from the wind, the day you get to bold is the day it will DRAG you for a ride you WONT forget.......

hope this helps,