- Windsurfing harness
The windsurfing harness is a trapeze used in the sport of
windsurfing to connect the windsurfer to therig by a line attached to the boom. It consists of a girdle-like contraption that is worn around the body, with a hook for attachment. [ [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7267064.pdf Harness Suitable for Use on Watercraft] ] Hooking-in the harness is done by pulling the sail toward the body and hooking into theharness lines on the boom. The harness turns windsurfing into a long lasting activity, taking the weight of the sail off the arms of the windsurfer.Types of harnesses
There are four basic types of harnesses:
*Thewaist harness : Worn around the waist and lower back, providing back support.
*Crossover Harness (ie Dakine XT) Fits around the backside but has padding and support for the back as well.
*The seat (or slalom) harness: Fits around the backside, with straps that pass between the legs.
*Thechest harness : Fits over the chest like a vest, providing buoyancy and padding for protection.History and development
The first truly functional harness was developed by Pat Love and Ken Kleid of Windsurfing Hawaii in
Kailua, Hawaii in about 1974. It consisted of a vest-like nylon jacket to which a hook was attached. The sailor used the hook to attach to lines attached to each of the wishbone booms. [ [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5505152.pdf Windsurfing harness lines] ]When future world champion
Robby Naish began using a harness in Kailua in 1975 when he was twelve years old, he had problems with his chest being painfully squeezed by the force on the hook. Mike Horgan and Larry Stanley developed a spreader bar to balance the load and prevent the harness from squeezing the wearer's chest. The spreader bar is now in almost universal use.Many companies have developed the harness over the years with major innovations coming from
DaKine and Windsurfing Hawaii.External links and references
[http://www.watertrader.co.uk/magazine/tutorials/windsurfing/technique.htm Watertrader magazine] "Looking Cool & Improving Technique" Online tutorial
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