The GA Beat (price: 249 euros) was available in size XL for our test and surprisingly - in almost the smallest setting - it still fitted the testers, who usually wear either a large M or rather small L harness. The shell of the harness is medium-stiff and three-dimensionally curved on the inside with a large rubber-like pad, so that it moulds very well to the body. It is attached to the body with a wide, very elasticated Velcro strap. The hook is mounted on a hook plate about the width of a hand, fixed on one side and fitted with a quick-release fastener on the other. This holds very securely when closed. When opening or closing it, it has to be pulled a little tighter than it sits on the body afterwards, so it makes sense to loosen one side of the strap slightly beforehand - the quick-release fastener does not appear to be fully developed in this respect. However, the easily accessible plastic buckle makes the diversions relatively quick and easy.
What we particularly liked about the harness was the snug fit on the back and the soft padding on the edge, which is also noticeably gentle on the ribcage - there were no noticeable pressure points on the upper edge of the harness. The harness is barely noticeable here and is also very soft in this area. The freedom of movement is excellent, so the harness is suitable for freestyle, wave, freeride and freerace, if you prefer snug harnesses with good pressure distribution rather than stiff hard shells.
GA Beat waist harness - the bottom line
The GA Beat waist harness proved to be particularly soft and comfortably padded in the test. Only the quick-release fastener has a small hurdle, but it is worth overcoming, as the harness is beautifully shaped, sits particularly softly on the body and still offers good support. It tends to be slightly smaller than usual.
Wearing comfort, padding
Runs slightly smaller
Quick-release fastener
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Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf
