Looking for some advice

[jz]

I'm thinking of getting a harness and harness lines to use on the club rental sails and boards to practise on. I am getting very tired hanging onto the sail esp during this period of strong winds. I can be getting more fun and enjoyment if I had a harness.

How practical is it? I'm thinking the monsoon winds will be strong enough on the club 6m sails to let me have a feel of getting onto the harness.

Is it harness before foot straps or the other way around?

Skills wise I'm competent to tack and gybe with no problems on choppy seas. Straight line I am on the verge of planing in strong enough winds. Just limited by my arm strength but its also good since I do get a good workout each time. I used to have a long board and monofilament sail (but no harness experience) in uni days but am picking up after a hiatus due to work.

Appreciate any advice you can give.
Thanks.

[Norman]

If your arms are your weak link, which is the case for most surfers, rookies and pros alike, then sure, try a harness. It's definitely more enjoyable, because your posture will be more relaxed, making surfing a lot easier on the arms and generally a lot more fun.

Having said that, I'm not sure if the club peeps will let you fit the ropes onto a rental boom though; there are some safety issues associated with a harness after all. But no harm asking eh.

As for the straps/harness order, horses for courses, but I find it easier to strap in after hooking in, because I'm lighter on my feet once the weight transfers to the boom.

Enjoy 

 

[jz]

Thanks for the advice Norman.

I found this page online about learning to use a harness (there are also other topics). Just to share if there are any other interested parties.

http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~wprinz/windsurfing/Harness.html

Cheers

[PlaneSailin]

Hey, that's a good website! 

Perhaps you should print some of the useful info so you can refer to it when you're at the beach. 


The most important thing to remember is, never give up!  Any fool can do it, given enough time and persistence! 

[Denis Wee]

Is it harness before foot straps or the other way around?

Club rental boards don't come with footstraps, but you probably know that already!

[11onze]

I learned getting in footstraps before using harness. But I think the order does not matter.
1) you can use harness without getting in footstraps, but you will find difficult to control the board / keep the balance once you start to plane; it would be all right if the wind is not very strong.
2) you can get in footstraps without using the harness, but it must be very tiring because you would never consider getting in footstraps unless the wind is strong enough for you to lean backward. (of course, it is a good workout )

I also agree that using harness is more difficult. It would be helpful to practice unhooking harness from the harness lines

[Bats]

hey man, some times you just gotta take the plunge and get your own gear.

look out for a really cheap set. thats how most of us started. its worth it especially since you obviously like windsurfing!