Should You Add a Surf-Specific Harness to Your Quiver?

Benefits of Adding A Surf-Specific Harness to Your Quiver

Up until this last week, I was a firm believer that one harness was sufficient for any and all conditions. Having honed in on the Apex Select, that was my do-all harness. Leisurely cruise? Apex Select. Freestyle session? Apex Select. Slashing it up it the waves? Apex Select, although a little looser so it could rotate around my body. Hardcore wakestyle sesh? In my dreams I’m wearing the Apex Select. 

But then came last week. Having shipped my harness back from Hood River to lighten my carry-on on the flight back, I had failed to plan for the two back-to-back windy days upon my return. Hoping I hadn’t sold my 2015 Dakine Pyro (I had), I turned to our demo shelf. It seemed the only properly fitting option was the Dakine C-1. “I just won’t kite,” I thought to myself. Fortunately, I quickly realized I was being a prima donna, and snapping up my gear with the C-1 in tow, I headed to the beach.

For those unfamiliar with the C-1, it’s a low-profile hard shell harness much like the Ride Engine. The goal of these harnesses is to properly fit the lower part of your back, their rigidity allowing for a more evenly dispersed load from the kite. Putting one on, it’s a bit surprising how minimalist they feel. In addition, there’s a noticeable lightness. My curiosity mounting, I popped my kite up and headed into the surf.

The harness did exactly what it strived for. It felt light, comfortable, and the sliding spreader bar was a dream. Ahh yes, the sliding spreader bar. This makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. The ability for the chicken loop to freely move along the front of the harness without being constrained by a fixed point made surfing so much more enjoyable. The Dakine C-1 employs a metal harness that slides with a strap system. I imagine this freedom is even more pronounced on the rope systems employed by the Ride Engine and Ion Wave. Transitioning from heel to toe edge was free of any delays or discomfort caused by a fixed point harness. My body could assume a natural position, and I found myself forgetting I even had a harness on. I could definitely feel the difference after my session, with far less strain on my sides and back.

I did attempt a freestyle session on the C-1, and did find myself missing the fixed spreader bar and general plushness of my Ion Select. Which got me thinking, what’s wrong with having two harnesses? I have three kites, two boards, why not two harnesses? It’s not often you can find something for sub $400 in kiteboarding that’ll dramatically improve your session. A surf-specific harness will.