The Inception of the Hardshell Harness: A Conversation with Buckey Coleman
Amid the bustling ambiance of the Slingshot and Ride Engine booth at the AWSI Kitesurfing Tradeshow in Hood River, Shane Thompson, the test editor for Kitesurfing Magazine, was ready to delve into the story of the revolutionary hardshell harness. By his side was Buckey Coleman, the inventive mind behind this groundbreaking equipment.
Shane started, “Buckey, your hardshell harness has truly set a new standard in the kitesurfing world. We’re all curious about its origin story. Can you enlighten us?”
With a momentary pause, Buckey began his tale. “Well, it all started when I bought a harness. To my surprise, its inside tag mentioned ‘organic shape’, yet the interior was filled with straight lines. It made me wonder: our bodies aren’t straight lines, are they? So, why not a harness that molds perfectly to one’s form?”
Presenting an old Dakine harness to Shane, Buckey continued, “This was my base model. I stripped its interior and fitted in a kite bladder. Although flexible, when I wore it, it expanded awkwardly.” To address this, he ingeniously wrapped himself in wet carbon fiber to direct the inflation inward. “Once I woke from a brief nap, I found myself encased in this hard shell,” he said, beaming.
This prototype, the pioneering hardshell harness, had its quirks. Buckey shared with a laugh, “The initial shell was quite edgy. In fact, the first time I donned it, it left me with a gash so deep I needed stitches! And those rusting rivets? I manually hammered them in, as I was without a rivet gun and the know-how to use one.”
As the design matured, Buckey produced a more refined and robust version. He elaborated, “For a unique touch, every shell was custom-crafted for the user. I dispatched a heatable plastic piece to them, which they would mold to their back’s contour and send back. Using these, I’d construct their personalized hardshell harness.”
As orders surged, Buckey amassed hundreds of these tailored molds. Using these as a base, he deduced average measurements to derive the design for mass production.
Intrigued, Shane pointed towards a few prototypes and queried, “Are these from your inaugural clientele?”
Confirming Shane’s suspicion, Buckey replied, “Absolutely, among them are ones custom-made for Sam Light and Sensi Graves.”
With a playful undertone, Buckey spoke of his collection of nearly 500 custom molds, amusingly stored in damp cardboard boxes behind his residence. Shane, jestingly suggesting their inclusion in the “kiteboarding Hall of Fame,” received a witty retort from Buckey about the molds’ potential recyclable nature.
As the discussion neared its conclusion, Shane’s attention was captured by intriguing posters around the booth, possibly hinting at Ride Engine’s upcoming innovations. With a sly grin, Buckey remarked, “All under wraps for now, but we’re always brewing something exciting.”
Expressing his gratitude, Shane concluded, “Buckey, it’s been enlightening. The kitesurfing world is richer because of visionaries like you.”
Thus, the saga of the hardshell harness, born from a blend of insight, creativity, and relentless determination, was unveiled to enthusiasts everywhere.
