A definition of Competition Harnesses

Discipline

Paragliding XC

What do we want ?

The purpose of harnesses is twofold:
* To enable us to take off by foot, comfortably stay several hours in the air connected to our glider, and land by foot
* To protect us by holding reserve chutes and protections for hard landings

How do we achieve that ?

A competition harness shall fulfill the two requirements above: utility and safety.
* by allowing pilots to run
* by providing proper protection

A competition harness shall not introduce negative side effects
* by reducing pilot ability to access radio or instruments
* by reducing visibility of the surroundings

A new norm or minimal requirement document shall be introduced.

Issue category :

equipment

harness

norms

Comments

CIVL Delegate

By Julien Garcia on Thu, 16 Oct 2025 - 14:32

Indeed, if we are to define a sport class, it may be interesting to also set norms on harness.

Organiser

By thomas senac on Sun, 19 Oct 2025 - 15:05

a document about competition harness (for CCC only ?) has been worked out at CIVL level - could be a basis for further thoughts, if needed

By Hans Bausenwein on Mon, 20 Oct 2025 - 11:05

In my opinion the quality of "one way protection" as used in most comp harnesses is insufficient, even when the protection passes the EN-test.

Designer

By Luc Armant on Tue, 21 Oct 2025 - 10:07

It is a good idea and it has already been made by a working group of experts, through CIVL, and voted at the plenary 2024.
There is new shock absorption criteria, linked to the short coming new harness EN norm, a maximum weight, a maximum volume, some minimal ergonomic criteria, like no hands of the commands after take-off or before landing. It should be applied in 2026 and the shock absorption criteria refers to the new safer criteria that have been adopted by the EN norm working group (WG6). The new harness EN norm should be published early in 2026, and all new harness model in competition will have to fulfil both the CIVL harness competition class and the EN. For older models (Submarine, etc) the rule will be retroactive in 2029. I can already tell that the submarine will then be excluded with other current models. The delay in the retroaction is meant to not mandate to all pilots to immediately through their current equipment to the bin.
Also note that the new harness EN norm will include a better definition of anti-forgetting system.

If someone finds the link for this newly coming CIVL harness class, please add it here.

CIVL Delegate

By Tilen Ceglar on Tue, 28 Oct 2025 - 21:28

Is the new EN harness norm available anywhere to read? Or if you have an insight, could you provide a summary? The only thing I heard was the max 42G limit, which sub just about complies with (genie and rocket almost). So in that regard no significant change, or I'm I wrong?

By Jonas Prüssing on Tue, 21 Oct 2025 - 22:54

I like this idea. Competition harnesses should also have adjustable protection sizes so that we can compensate for different glider sizes. Bigger pilots = more protection = more drag. With a clearly defined formula for each wing size, I can calculate how much protection needs to be added to balance out any advantage. This way, we kill two birds with one stone — improving safety while ensuring fair competition.

By Ondřej Pohořelský on Wed, 22 Oct 2025 - 16:13

How would that practically work? If we take the Submarine as reference, you have no protector sticking out of the envelope. You would have to adjust the size of the envelope to add drag.