impact of harness on swooping?

[The111 1]

I watched the swoop comp at DeLand this weekend and someone I was having a conversation with mentioned how important harness construction is for the top-level competitors to get the most out of their swoops. I realize that opinions are just that, but he said that without a doubt the Odyssey was the preferred H/C of all pro swoopers because it allows for the most control for the duration of the approach and surf.

Knowing SHIT about swooping myself but wanting to get into it (slowly) in the future, I'm curious if any experienced swoopers would disagree with this?

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[PhreeZone 20]

Javelin also sponsors a lot of the top skydivers by giving them free containers. Something else to keep in mind

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

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[AggieDave 6]

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he said that without a doubt the Odyssey was the preferred H/C of all pro swoopers because it allows for the most control for the duration of the approach and surf

I would like to know the reasoning (with actual facts) about this.

Anyway the person you heard say that can be reached to comment about his comment?

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[jerry81 10]

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Knowing SHIT about swooping myself but wanting to get into it (slowly) in the future, I'm curious if any experienced swoopers would disagree with this?

What I'm curious about (if I may add to your question) is exactly how much difference (if any) this makes compared to other harnesses the pros use.

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[The111 1]

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Javelin also sponsors a lot of the top skydivers by giving them free containers. Something else to keep in mind

Yeh, I'm aware of that, I've noticed a lot of the skydiving world (not just swoopers) is biased toward Javs because of their super-aggressive advertising, marketing, and sponsoring campain. I prefer Vector though, but I am curious how much impact the harness and its fit has on swooping.

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I would like to know the reasoning (with actual facts) about this.

Anyway the person you heard say that can be reached to comment about his comment?

His reasoning had to do with the fit and design of the harness... obviously any brand of harness can be sized to fit well, and I don't know the ins and outs of each harness, but there is some weight to his statement I think, that the design of the harness will have something to do with how you shifting your body transmits forces to the lines/canopy.

The point of my post was not to focus on the one person I was talking to or the specific Jav comment, I'm just curious how many experienced swoopers think that harness selection is an important part of their swooping gear selection.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[AggieDave 6]

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The point of my post was not to focus on the one person I was talking to or the specific Jav comment, I'm just curious how many experienced swoopers think that harness selection is an important part of their swooping gear selection.

However, that is the sort of comment that your post is about. "Brand X is the best, it transfers weight to the risers better then Brand Y, Z and W combined." That's the sort of comments people will tend to make without any sort of facts to actually prove anything.

What container is the best for swooping? Well, to the swooper, probably what ever container he/she just dropped $1k+ on.

That's my point, is that it is such a subjective thing, that you're not going to find a definate answer.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Treejumps 0]

Any properly fitted harness will perform the same with regards to harness input. I don't care for Javelins, if for no other reason than the fact that they do not turn and stitch the end of their chest straps. Most swoopers open their chest straps all the way to improve canopy performance, and with a Javelin the chest strap could inadvertantly come un-done. Probably not a problem, but it could be. I have unhooked my chest strap to swoop and while I did like not having it, I wouldn't make it a habit.

[grega 0]

Same question here? why does he like odyssey more - specifically?

The only difference that could apply, is that it has cut in backpad, thus you can separate leg straps more if you pull one up and the other down. but no one can harness turn so much, so that probably isn't an issue, why odyssey is better.
so why is it then?

if it isn't really like someone here said, just personal opinion

"George just lucky i guess!"

[sdctlc 0]

First off I dont know the answer but one thing to look at is the articulation of the system. Hip only vs. Hip and Chest articulation.

I tend to believe that a properly fitted harness will fork fine but the shifting of weight while in the harness will be affected by the different design regarding the atriculation. I have one rig that has full atriculation (Hip and Chest). This one IMHO seems to be a little "looser" regarding weight shifting while under canopy. On a side note it seems to be much more sensitive under opening compared to my Hip only articulated rig.

Both rigs fit well so I dont really feel a big difference when i work on an approach turn with both harness and riser input, but then again I am not on the swoop tour either...

Scott C.

"He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!"

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Every single person, swooper or not, is going to have their opinion about what "the best" harness and container system is. Same with mains, etc. Flight One and Team Extreme are both sponsored by Sunpath, but they are only nine people. Team Extreme was jumping Infinities two seasons ago and Reflexes before that. Team Xaos jumps Infinity. I have jumped Vectors, Javs (standard and Odyssey) and now Wings. I truthfully don't feel I harness-shift any better or worse in a two-ring harness than I did in a four-ring. I also feel I had as much control in a properly fitting non-ringed harness. There are people out there who will argue all sides, but in the end it's just personal preference.

Chuck

[volo 0]

Though I love my Javelin Odyssey, I personally do not believe that this has given me any advantage to my swoops. I also am learning the beauty of swooping (slowly but surely) flying a Xaos-21. From my little experience with swooping, I believe that it is ultimately up to the pilot to perform a great swoop. Yes, there are factors that may enhance your swoops (i.e. canopy design), but I think that when you get down to the basics, it's the pilot.

[skyedivr 0]

I had a talon 2 container before my odyssey and I could tell a big differance when I started jumping the javelin. The new container felt tighter (tighter as in like driving an old car with play in the steering and a new one that has no play) and the canopy was more responsive to body movement.
my $0.02

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