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HARNESSES!

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:14 pm
by kyates19
I am curious to what everyone recommends for a beginner harness and helmet. Also, I have bought my kite, board and wetsuit online. Where should I buy my harness, helmet, and leash? Is there any other equipment I should get?

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:39 pm
by bobbyboom
Hey, and Welcome!

As for a harness I would recommend a seat harness. Since you are new you will be sitting in the water a lot with the kite above you at 12 O' clock and a seat harness is more comfortable in this position. The waist harness can "ride up" if you are in the water a lot at 12 O' clock and can be less comfortable. I'm still in a seat harness and I actually like it quite a bit and adds extra flotation too if the wind dies and you have to swim back a large distance.

Helmet for sure. Saftey first in this sport.

Kiteleash, just make absolutely sure it has a release on it. If anything goes wrong you want to make sure you can get "away" from the kite 100%. This is a mistake I made as my first kiteleash did NOT have a release and I got in a SUPER sketchy situation and could not release. It almost cost me some serious physical damage. I got VERY lucky.

Wet Suit. Depends on your level of cold comfort. I have a 4/3 full suit for most bay area days and a shorty for hot days.

Other than that you should be good to go. A good site to buy used gear is this one as well as www.ikitesurf.com. Have fun and safe kiting.

-Bobby

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:31 am
by windhorny
Shoot yourself over to Kite Wind Surf accross the street from Alameda beach. They will take care of all your needs and you will be supporting the locals as well( a good reason to not buy things online!)

Sounds like you are on your way.

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:28 am
by jstjohn3
you will be supporting the locals as well( a good reason to not buy things online!)
Except for live2kite.com, they are locals.

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:53 am
by OliverG
Live2Kite.com has a great line of the new Mystic harnesses. I just got one after using a Dakine for years and I have to say the Mystic harness rocks.

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:46 pm
by clints
i would recommend the mystic harness as well. I got mine from Evan @ live2kite and I'm very happy with it.

-clint