“I wanted a harness with just what I needed. Nothing else” says brand founder Francisco Goya, describing the idea behind the Obi Pro. The fact that the new Goya harness is intended to be more than just another piece of kit became clear from the elaborate launch alone. We’ve also had the chance to test the hip harness ourselves (link to be included). “We went as small as possible and beyond, until we realized that we had reached the end of that. As small, as thin and as light as possible, from the tip of the hook to the buckles, with all the comfort”, says Francisco Goya, summarising the requirements. “We didn’t want any gimmicks or compromises, and we tested for over a year among the entire team, and it felt like a dream all along. Everything was questioned and tested. The harness, body, and rig become one. I couldn’t be more stoked!”
Why has Goya Windsurfing decided to develop its first harness after so many years of manufacturing boards, sails, accessories and components?
Francisco Goya: We wanted to create a harness that truly aligned with our overall design philosophy: only what you need, intuitive, lighter, and durable. After years of refining every other piece of the gear, it felt like the right time to develop a dedicated windsurfing harness that we would all be stoked to ride with.
Every rider has strong opinions about their harness. How did the process begin?
Francisco Goya: Absolutely — harness preference is very personal. We saw a clear 50/50 split between riders who prefer fixed hook systems and those who prefer sliding ones, so we designed a system that offers both options without forcing customers to pay for features they don’t need. There were also points everyone agreed on: it had to be the lightest, most minimal harness possible, while still being easy to move and swim in, and comfortable to wear for long sessions with or without a wetsuit. On colors, opinions were all over the place, so we decided to offer the full color range and let the riders choose what matches their gear and style.
Why were Maui and Hood River chosen as the starting points for the concept?
Jason Diffin (Goya sail designer): Goya Windsurfing loft work moves between Hood River, Tarifa, and Maui, depending on the season and what's on the drawing and development board. All spots together provide the most consistent conditions anywhere, while offering an incredibly broad range of sailing environments. The Obi Pro had to be minimalist and comfortable against bare skin in the tropics, while also working seamlessly over a wetsuit in cold water. Between our teams, Maui, Tarifa, and The Gorge, and plenty of travel and testing elsewhere, the design has been refined and proven where it matters most—on the water.
You emphasise that the Goya Obi Pro is a dedicated windsurfing harness – what is its key feature? How does it meet the needs of both women and men in terms of performance, comfort and safety?
Jason Diffin: A dedicated windsurfing harness is absolutely the key differentiator. The Obi Pro was designed specifically around the unique loads and movements of windsurfing, keeping the harness stable under power while allowing full freedom to move, rotate, and sail naturally. It distributes load evenly across the back and hips, eliminating pressure points and keeping the hook locked in place for greater comfort, control, and reduced fatigue. Safety was a priority from day one, and the proprietary quick-release system is the easiest, most secure, and safest harness release I have ever used. And the curve@ hardshell is intentionally designed to protect your front and back cores. Tailored by size to ensure the harness fits the body correctly, improving stability, comfort, confidence, and safety on the water. The end result is a harness you stop thinking about and simply enjoy sailing in.
The Goya Obi Pro is available with both a fixed and a sliding hook. What is the idea behind this?
Jason Diffin: Personally, I sail exclusively with a sliding bar—it allows me to rotate my hips naturally and offset the hook position when sailing upwind. Sailors have strong preferences for both systems, so it was important that the Obi Pro delivers the same fit, stability, and performance with either setup.
How did you go about the development?
Jason Diffin: The process started with a modern outline — we kept making it smaller and smaller, with individual molds for each different size, which is the right way. Then we moved on to curvature, padding, buckles, hooks, and every single detail, putting everything on the table for review.
What are the key features of the design?
Mateo Caneo (developer) and Björn Dunkel (product designer): In addition to the modular harness hook with two fixed straps, there is the “Curv360°” hook pad with “Belt Alignment”, which is attached to the sides of the rear shell to form a 360° structure and connect the straps all the way round. This is complemented by a slim quick-release system on both sides and a self-locking strap running from buckle to buckle. The design of the quick-release plate provides a simple mechanism for tightening and releasing. The webbing strap is adjustable in width, length and thickness, ensuring exactly the right balance of strength to load. The Obi Pro utilises “Curv-Hard-Shell” technology with thermoformed composite material to achieve maximum rigidity whilst keeping the weight low. It is up to 50 per cent lighter than conventional fibre composites and combines excellent support properties with torsional flexibility and unique impact resistance. It features an anatomically shaped and aligned 360° contoured harness structure. The combination of these two elements has enabled us to develop a lightweight, slim-fitting climbing harness without bulky parts or thick reinforcements.
Which improvements were ‘a must’ throughout the entire process?
Mateo and Björn: All our improvements followed a similar approach by avoiding an overbuilt design. We can highlight achieving a medium-hard and slim lightweight harness, which gives you freedom in your rides and is not so hard that you feel blocked or limited.
What were the biggest engineering challenges?
Mateo and Björn: For over a year, everything was questioned and tested. Each harness size had to be designed from scratch to fit well with all elements. Going through the fine-tuning process of space, gaps, and tolerances between different parts of the harness.
How much influence did the team riders have on this design process?
Francisco Goya: Everything we build starts with the riders’ needs. It’s the synergy between the engineers/designers and constant rider feedback that truly develops all of our gear from the ground up. We started with a blank page, defining exactly what this new harness had to accomplish. The engineering team then compared material specs — weight, strength, comfort, and durability — and developed the pieces that brought all the feedback together. From there, the first samples went out to the whole team and regular riders for real-world testing. We know we can only make it better by putting in the time and energy, so that’s exactly what we did with the worldwide team. Everyone received early samples and participated in the discussions that led to the final Obi Pro harness.
What does this very first harness mean for the brand?
Francisco Goya: It really feels like it was about time. After a 32-year journey that started with boards, followed by sails, and components, it’s exciting to add a new piece to the lineup. The response from the riders and our community has been overwhelming— it feels like everyone has been heard. The option of a fixed or sliding bar was a big one, but the just-right flex and form of each individual shell size, quick-release system, combined with the new revolutionary minimalistic hook, has people really stoked. It’s a great feeling to develop something for ourselves that we can share with everyone.
What’s the story behind the name ‘Obi’?
Mateo and Björn: 'Obi' comes from the traditional Japanese belt and represents strength and simplicity.
While most harnesses on the market can be opened and closed with a quick release, at the Obi Pro you have to loosen the belt a little bit, as mentioned in our review. Why did you choose this path with the "minimalistic" feature over of a slightly easier way?
The Obi Pro does not need to be loosened to release. To open it, just pull the Quick Lock plate with your fingertips. It pivots and slides out, and the hook releases immediately. No bulky parts, and no need to slacken the belt first. When you put the harness on, it is easier if you ease the webbing. Once it is on you, pull the webbing to set the tension. We chose one wide webbing and a minimal system so you can micro-adjust on the water — tighter or looser depending on the conditions and style preference. That same feature stays compatible with a sliding hook. Simple, light, and safe — without extra hardware.
For more information, visit goyawindsurfing.com