Power Kiting / Kiteboarding Harnesses Frequently Asked Questions:
Starting the sport without any knowledge?
Powerkiteshop’s trained staff who all fly kites are always keen to help you, but first, check out our most commonly asked questions to get you started.
If you have a question that hasn't been answered here - you can simply call us on +44 (0) 121 544 9514 and we will be pleased to hear your query!
Kiteboarding / Kitesurfing Quick Links:
What is a Harness ? :
A harness is used intially to take the strain off your arms, allowing you to fly in stronger winds and reduce overall fatigue.
A harness for kiteboarding is essential as the depower system of the kite is adjusted with the aid of the harness.
Personal preference for choosing a harness is the key.
Waist harnesses fit around the lower back and abdomen giving you freedom of movement for technical manoeuvres.
Seat harnesses fit around the legs and lower back giving you lots of support and hip protection. These harnesses stop any chance of the harness riding up your body when the kite is overhead.
For advice on selection call Telephone + 44 (0) 0121 544 9514
Click here for our range of Harnesses and accessories >>
Why would I need a Waist Harness ? :
A waist style harness will give you more freedom of movement for technical / freestyle manoeuvres.
The higher spreader bar position when kiteboarding will also allow you to gain a more natural angle to edge your board against the water.
Click here for our range waist harnesses >>
Why would I need a Seat Harness ? :
Seat harnesses provide a lower hook position compared to a waist harnesses and give a more stable fitting for both land or water use.
The leg straps reduce the harness from riding up and can also allow you to hold more power if needed.
Land kiters wearing loose fitting top clothes would be better advised to use a seat harness.
Click here for our range of Seat Harnesses >>
Do I need a spreader bar ? :
Whether you fly your kite on handles or on a control bar, a spreader bar connects your controls to your harness.
Flying a fixed or depower control bar, the standard hook style spreader will allow a secure connection that is strong and easy to release from in an emergency. There are also spreader bars where the hook slides around the front of the harness to assist in achieving a more favorable body position when riding away from the kite. eg.riding toeside or blind.
When flying your kite on 4-line handles you can still use a standard hook spreader bar but you can also use a pulley style spreader bar. This will allow smoother steering and power delivery and control when needed. You can also steer your kite by just applying control to the bottom ends of the handles the kite, (the brakes).
Click here for our range harnesses, spreader bars and accessories >>
Why are there male and female specific harnesses ? :
Ergonomics. Efficient support and comfort are imperative for male and female riders and we all know they're different.
Male waist harnesses are designed to allow for larger and wider backs and the ‘cut outs’ are not as abrupt. Male seat harnesses tend to have larger back supports for larger frames.
Female waist harnesses tend to have larger ‘cut outs’ over the hips to allow greater movement whilst seat harnesses tend to have shallower back supports as women are generally not as tall as men.
Check out our range of Harnesses here >>
Why are some harness interiors different ? :
The typical basic nylon covering is hard wearing and allows the harness to rotate slightly around your body making them great for toe-side and wave riding.
A neoprene molded interior offers a softer feel that moulds to your body with continued use providing maximum support. It is less prone to rotating around your body as it grips your wetsuit / clothing.
An EVA molded interior helps to provide the best anatomical fit by ensuring the harness fits snugly to your body yet due to its flexible nature you do not lose flexibility in the harness.
This lining sticks to your wetsuit like glue allowing you to be confident that when powered up the harness will be less likely to ‘ride up’.
Check out our range of Harnesses here >>
Do I look for support or comfort in a harness? :
All harnesses feature varying degrees of support and comfort. The idea Is to get a harness with the best blend of support and comfort to suit your needs.
Supportive harnesses are better suited for powered riding and for long riding sessions and normaly include an EVA molded interior, memory foam lumbar support and multiple adjustment points.
Comfort in a harness normally aids in wave riding as it allowing the harness to move around the body slightly.
These style of harnesses tend to include a nylon or neoprene interior for freedom of movement in the harness and include soft edges or leg straps to reduce the harness from digging into your body when powered up.
Check out our range of Harnesses here >>
Email Enquiries:
We will always endeavour to reply to your e-mail as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.
To ensure that the correct department receives your e-mail please contact:
Email Enquiries:
Order / General - info@powerkiteshop.com
Training - training@powerkiteshop.com
Website queries - webmaster@powerkiteshop.com
Media/Press - media@powerkiteshop.com
Alternatively you can enter your contact details and enquiry into the form below:
Telephone Enquiries - 0121 544 9514:
Our staff can answer most of the questions you may have.
If they do not know they will find out and get back to you as soon as possible.
To ensure that the correct department receives your e-mail please contact:
Our trained staff are available at the following times.
Monday-Friday: 10.00am to 6.00pm
TELEPHONE NUMBER: +44 (0) 121 544 9514
If you are calling from abroad, you can call the number below:
Landline Phone Number: +44 (0) 121 544 9514
All other times including weekends we're available via the help lines but we may be out flying!
If we are unavailable you can usually leave a message for a later response.
Powerkiteshop / Postal / Returns Address:
You can visit the shop, send any enquiry / cheque payments via post or return any item to the address below:
Powerkiteshop
Studio 2 - 4
Euro Business Park
Summerton Road
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 2EL
United Kingdom
Items must be returned with a returns form enclosed by Recorded delivery and clearly marked for the attention of the Mail Order Dept.
Our trained staff are available at the following times.
We will not accept responsibility for lost parcels, or postal charges incurred when returning goods and we do have the right to refuse an exchange or refund, if we consider the goods have not been treated in accordance with the instructions provided with them.
Videos, DVD's will only be exchanged if faulty.
