Very nice to have a belt.:singing:
I can not believe I flew without one now that I have used one. You guys should rave on about using a belt there is serious amount of control gained when hooked in with a good wind. Sliding on the beach is no longer felt as being turned sideways or head long belly flops. Home brew strop (2ea 750lb parachute bridle cord pulled through sleeve material = very tough/strong and about 1/8" but stiff) adjusted on site to what was just right and winds 15-22 GOOD fun. Flew for almost 4 hours.

Jerry

There is SO MUCH to be gained by flying with a harness I'm amazed that so many folks on here fly without one :puzzled:

Not only do you gain extra control you increase your fly time from 10 or 20 minutes to ...... forever !!!!!!!! Valuable fly time when begining !!! Fun fly time when experienced!

If people don't have a harness, it should be next on your list :!:
Assuming you already have a helmet :duh:

Quote:

Originally posted by solarix Very nice to have a belt.:singing: I can not believe I flew without one now that I have used one. GOOD fun. Flew for almost 4 hours. Jerry

I don't like flying fixed bridles on harnesses. I never got on with them. i usually fly for hours without an harness :D But, i do have one for whenever i use my depowers.

Baluk
Your arms must look like Popeye especially your forearms to be able to fly that long not hooked in or are you flying underpowered?

Popeye? aha no. Do they kill like crazy after a few hours? YES! I'm usually flying the 5m in decently strong winds.

I am an old f... for sure I used to fly for hours in 35+ winds with my 2 line kites, drug around like a noodle, but the 4 line foils have a grab in the mid-west gusts that I have a hard time with, they want to plant me on my face or fly out of control. When I see the eagles, gulls or tumble weeds in a thermal and the kite is luffed, get a hold of the handles it is gonna get real interesting. I guess the belt lowers the force to where my head or more like.... chest is now, being planted enough times is a plus.

Jerry

I feel the same abou a harness and fixed bridle together (never flown a depower, though). Power transfer just seems a little jerky and I dont like being pulled off my board. Besides, its a good workout flying without a harness. My arms are a lot stronger now than they were six months ago... maybe a little longer, too!

I try practicing with my 2m and harness. I dont think I'll give it up, but I dont feel comfortable with the pairing yet, either.

Anyone know of a really strong, semi-elastic material that would act as a strop with some bungee effect?? That would make a big difference, I think.

I would think the bungie would defeat the whole purpose of the harness :puzzled:

If you want to do some highspeed Buggy riding a harness is a must. Besides it is so much more comfortable. The biggest advantage that I see is that the pull is much lower and close to the center of gravity. When the kite starts pulling hard to the side you can control it way better using your hips and the buggy. If you try to compensate the pull with your arms you will
1. have a very short riding day
2. get yanked out
3. get yanked out and have the buggy tip over on top of you
4. pull everything out of wack thats under your skin.
5. get to chase you kite down the beech because you could not hold it any longer.

Since I have started wearing a harness I have not once been yanked out of the buggy(except the time one of the brake lines broke during a powerslide)
If the pull gets to much the buggy just starts to drift in the direction of the pull. without a harness the buggy normally starts to tip.

I can also ride all day long without getting tired. You can also fly the kites using the brakes to steer much easier. The list of positive points goes on and on and on.

ALWAYS remember that if you wear a harness that you should always use a safety system (snappy, arminator) just in case. I have never had to unhook but I would not fly without a safety. open pully systems are not really that good because the strop tends to fall out when there is slack on the line.

One more thing starting the kite is much more fun You can start it up the middle of the power zone and have a nice little flight, or do a little sand skiing before you get in the buggy

Chris.

p.s. forget the chucky system if your not careful you could rip your head off