I've got into the habit of only riding things I make, Getting into foils at this stage is too big a leap. Besides I've run out of storage spave.
I'm happy to stick to flat water with minimum "slap"
Select to expand quoteAUS 808 said..decrepit said..
Well I'm at your, "another 20 years", and still going.
You have the right idea, keeping body flexible and strong is necessary.
A lot depends how well you look after your body, I've known guys push the limits in their early years, and burn their body out early. So it's a compromise, if you want to keep having fun into the 70s don't go too far over the limit now.
I'm learning how much muscles are needed to keep the frame working. everyday exercise doesn't work a lot of these muscles. As you get older unused muscles deteriorate fairly quickly, making joint problems much more likely. Physio guidance can make sure the important muscles get a work out.
I've looked after my body fairly well.
At 69 I sailed 330km in 10 hours at LG.
I was 77 when I had my 40kt PB. This was an OK year for me, recovered from COVID and fairly active.
I'll be 79 in January, and slowing down, still speed sailing, but not in rough water, that's no longer good for my back.
Energy levels are dropping off as well. I find going for an hour is hard work.
But sailing to my ability is still fun.
That's the great thing about windsurfing, you can sail at any level and still enjoy it.
Looking at the GPSTC rankings, there's not a lot happening at 80 and over, I hope to change that, we'll see.
Time to go Foiling Mike, wind or wing, you'll love it & it's easier on the bod??????
Easier on the bod until you crash!!!
Select to expand quotedecrepit said..
I've got into the habit of only riding things I make, Getting into foils at this stage is too big a leap. Besides I've run out of storage spave.
I'm happy to stick to flat water with minimum "slap"
The foiling learning curve looks like it can be a bit nasty..
When I saw the title of the post I
immediately assumed you had been working in a coal mine!
(cue devo
)
There's lots of inspirational older dudes and ladies still getting on the water on the various equipment now on offer.
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of sailing (dinging) with a chap by the name of Chris in Exmouth I think he said he was 78!! How awesome!
He was super keen and foiling all over the place.
I remember when windfoil first started in Perth I think around 2016.
I thought I need to get into this without delay before it was too late,I loved every minute of it and also found it was a great cardio workout especially on big race gear.Then dings came along not long after in 2019. Once again I figured I needed to get on it.
I think the constant challenge to get better at what ever it is your doing is the key to gaining longevity.
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..decrepit said..
I've got into the habit of only riding things I make, Getting into foils at this stage is too big a leap. Besides I've run out of storage spave.
I'm happy to stick to flat water with minimum "slap"
The foiling learning curve looks like it can be a bit nasty..
With current gear it's a lot easier than what all of us early adopters suffered through. Bigger foil wings and optimized boards mean getting flights the first day at low, more controlled speeds. It also means you don't need a whole lot of power so it's easier on everything - no need for footstraps or harness. And it's a wonderful to feel that adrenaline rush at the sight of the slightest whitecaps in 10-12 kts of wind. I've been foiling six years (my, where did the time go?) and I still get that feeling.
There's likely a local who'll be glad to lend you some freeride kit to give it a go. You'll probably get wet but that's a good thing: it's mistakes that help us learn and encourage brain plasticity.
www.hubermanlab.com/episode/using-failures-movement-and-balance-to-learn-faster
Select to expand quotePaducah said..sboardcrazy said..decrepit said..
I've got into the habit of only riding things I make, Getting into foils at this stage is too big a leap. Besides I've run out of storage spave.
I'm happy to stick to flat water with minimum "slap"
The foiling learning curve looks like it can be a bit nasty..
With current gear it's a lot easier than what all of us early adopters suffered through. Bigger foil wings and optimized boards mean getting flights the first day at low, more controlled speeds. It also means you don't need a whole lot of power so it's easier on everything - no need for footstraps or harness. And it's a wonderful to feel that adrenaline rush at the sight of the slightest whitecaps in 10-12 kts of wind. I've been foiling six years (my, where did the time go?) and I still get that feeling.
There's likely a local who'll be glad to lend you some freeride kit to give it a go. You'll probably get wet but that's a good thing: it's mistakes that help us learn and encourage brain plasticity.
www.hubermanlab.com/episode/using-failures-movement-and-balance-to-learn-faster
Unfortunately wind foiling is more dangerous than normal fin for a 60+ sailor. Learning new things might be great, although it is equally great to increase you skill level at something you know already, but not when there is a risk of acute or repeated use injury. Winging might be better from that point of view, although I have seen my share of people lending on their board (or foil).
With fin I cannot remember the last time I had a bad crash, the occasional catapults disappeared thanks to better equipment 20 years ago, and I generally go a whole session without a single fall in the water. With foil I see expert level sailors falling in quite regularly, no matter if they are doing freeride or freerace down they go at least once a session. A beginner should be ready to fall in many times a session, and at our age that is not a good thing. Small accidents are often of no consequence if you are 30, but at 60+ is best to avoid.
Select to expand quoteduzzi said..Paducah said..sboardcrazy said..decrepit said..
I've got into the habit of only riding things I make, Getting into foils at this stage is too big a leap. Besides I've run out of storage spave.
I'm happy to stick to flat water with minimum "slap"
The foiling learning curve looks like it can be a bit nasty..
With current gear it's a lot easier than what all of us early adopters suffered through. Bigger foil wings and optimized boards mean getting flights the first day at low, more controlled speeds. It also means you don't need a whole lot of power so it's easier on everything - no need for footstraps or harness. And it's a wonderful to feel that adrenaline rush at the sight of the slightest whitecaps in 10-12 kts of wind. I've been foiling six years (my, where did the time go?) and I still get that feeling.
There's likely a local who'll be glad to lend you some freeride kit to give it a go. You'll probably get wet but that's a good thing: it's mistakes that help us learn and encourage brain plasticity.
www.hubermanlab.com/episode/using-failures-movement-and-balance-to-learn-faster
Unfortunately wind foiling is more dangerous than normal fin for a 60+ sailor. Learning new things might be great, although it is equally great to increase you skill level at something you know already, but not when there is a risk of acute or repeated use injury. Winging might be better from that point of view, although I have seen my share of people lending on their board (or foil).
With fin I cannot remember the last time I had a bad crash, the occasional catapults disappeared thanks to better equipment 20 years ago, and I generally go a whole session without a single fall in the water. With foil I see expert level sailors falling in quite regularly, no matter if they are doing freeride or freerace down they go at least once a session. A beginner should be ready to fall in many times a session, and at our age that is not a good thing. Small accidents are often of no consequence if you are 30, but at 60+ is best to avoid.
As a 60+ member with a lot of 60+ fellow foilers (including a 75), let's just say our experience is a bit different. Do we get wet sometimes? Yes (and I've had many sessions where I don't). Where I sail, the water and air is cold for a large part of the season, too. But so far we've been largely safe and getting a lot more time on the water. Now that we are at the age when one realizes that there is only a finite amount of sailing time left, it really becomes meaningful. fwiw, 80-90% of my crashes are trying to learn something new. If you don't want to get wet, windsurfing as a sport might be a, um... challenging choice.
Select to expand quotePaducah said..duzzi said..Paducah said..sboardcrazy said..decrepit said..
I've got into the habit of only riding things I make, Getting into foils at this stage is too big a leap. Besides I've run out of storage spave.
I'm happy to stick to flat water with minimum "slap"
The foiling learning curve looks like it can be a bit nasty..
With current gear it's a lot easier than what all of us early adopters suffered through. Bigger foil wings and optimized boards mean getting flights the first day at low, more controlled speeds. It also means you don't need a whole lot of power so it's easier on everything - no need for footstraps or harness. And it's a wonderful to feel that adrenaline rush at the sight of the slightest whitecaps in 10-12 kts of wind. I've been foiling six years (my, where did the time go?) and I still get that feeling.
There's likely a local who'll be glad to lend you some freeride kit to give it a go. You'll probably get wet but that's a good thing: it's mistakes that help us learn and encourage brain plasticity.
www.hubermanlab.com/episode/using-failures-movement-and-balance-to-learn-faster
Unfortunately wind foiling is more dangerous than normal fin for a 60+ sailor. Learning new things might be great, although it is equally great to increase you skill level at something you know already, but not when there is a risk of acute or repeated use injury. Winging might be better from that point of view, although I have seen my share of people lending on their board (or foil).
With fin I cannot remember the last time I had a bad crash, the occasional catapults disappeared thanks to better equipment 20 years ago, and I generally go a whole session without a single fall in the water. With foil I see expert level sailors falling in quite regularly, no matter if they are doing freeride or freerace down they go at least once a session. A beginner should be ready to fall in many times a session, and at our age that is not a good thing. Small accidents are often of no consequence if you are 30, but at 60+ is best to avoid.
As a 60+ member with a lot of 60+ fellow foilers (including a 75), let's just say our experience is a bit different. Do we get wet sometimes? Yes (and I've had many sessions where I don't). Where I sail, the water and air is cold for a large part of the season, too. But so far we've been largely safe and getting a lot more time on the water. Now that we are at the age when one realizes that there is only a finite amount of sailing time left, it really becomes meaningful. fwiw, 80-90% of my crashes are trying to learn something new. If you don't want to get wet, windsurfing as a sport might be a, um... challenging choice.
It is not getting wet that is the problem, the problem in our age group is that every time you crash you are flipping a coin ... but sure, windfoiling is a bit less demanding on you body than entering the Rampage would be at 65!
I am 65 in 4 weeks and loving windfoiling...its given me a new lease on life!!!! However right now I have been flat on my back for 5 days with a herniated disk and severe sciatica. Really struggling to walk. Any suggestions welcomed....please.
Thanks Martin
Select to expand quotemr love said..
I am 65 in 4 weeks and loving windfoiling...its given me a new lease on life!!!! However right now I have been flat on my back for 5 days with a herniated disk and severe sciatica. Really struggling to walk. Any suggestions welcomed....please.
Thanks Martin
Join the club! After a season of upper back AND chest pains that severely limited my slalom goings, I ended up to the emergency room thinking that I had a second heart attack. "Luckily" I was diagnosed with "cervical angina". And indeed MRI showed multiple herniated discs in the neck. I am waiting for an ortho appointment to see what comes next. Suggestion for you, if you have not done it already, is to talk with a doctor!!!! In my case the pain was literally bending me in two, but some muscle relaxants and tylenol (every day for a couple of weeks) made it regress to tolerable levels.
For me windsurfing has been out for 6 weeks, and I am not so sure I'll be able to ever go back to it . But even if that happens it has been a great run! 40+ years! Some of my happiest moments with nature.
I've had lower back issues for the last 26 years (herniated disc at L5/S1). This year is the most pain free I've been in 26 years. The only thing I've changed is I've started swimming this year, about 7,000 meters a week. I use a swimming training snorkel as I was getting neck issues initially. Not sure if the swimming is correlation or causation for the lack of back pain, but worth a shot.
Select to expand quotemr love said..AUS 808 said..decrepit said..
Well I'm at your, "another 20 years", and still going.
You have the right idea, keeping body flexible and strong is necessary.
A lot depends how well you look after your body, I've known guys push the limits in their early years, and burn their body out early. So it's a compromise, if you want to keep having fun into the 70s don't go too far over the limit now.
I'm learning how much muscles are needed to keep the frame working. everyday exercise doesn't work a lot of these muscles. As you get older unused muscles deteriorate fairly quickly, making joint problems much more likely. Physio guidance can make sure the important muscles get a work out.
I've looked after my body fairly well.
At 69 I sailed 330km in 10 hours at LG.
I was 77 when I had my 40kt PB. This was an OK year for me, recovered from COVID and fairly active.
I'll be 79 in January, and slowing down, still speed sailing, but not in rough water, that's no longer good for my back.
Energy levels are dropping off as well. I find going for an hour is hard work.
But sailing to my ability is still fun.
That's the great thing about windsurfing, you can sail at any level and still enjoy it.
Looking at the GPSTC rankings, there's not a lot happening at 80 and over, I hope to change that, we'll see.
Time to go Foiling Mike, wind or wing, you'll love it & it's easier on the bod??????
Easier on the bod until you crash!!!
Not sure about ding crashes but windfoil crashes are nothing compared to catapults when windsurfing.
The mast always seems to miss the nose of the board & it's so slow (1/2) speed compared to windsurfing so you don't get hurt, no landing on your back or just about snapping your neck.
If you hang onto the boom the foil can't get you so no real danger. To be honest I would be lucky to crash 1 in 5 sessions windfoiling, usually a lapse in concentration??
Hoping to get on the Ding as well as windfoil when we hit Melb in a few weeks time, got wind but no water at Uluru atm??
I hope the bay provides because I'm missing Perth for Foiling, haven't been wet since April at Dutchies with JJ.
Select to expand quotemr love said..
I am 65 in 4 weeks and loving windfoiling...its given me a new lease on life!!!! However right now I have been flat on my back for 5 days with a herniated disk and severe sciatica. Really struggling to walk. Any suggestions welcomed....please.
Thanks Martin
geez Martin no good mate ,I've been there 3 times ,it took a few months to come right ,i say rest at the moment .get the deep heat out and try keep moving ,don't lift anything ,keep your groin stretched ,sleep with a pillow between your knees ,anti inflammatory tablets ,You need to get the disc to settle down ,lay down avoid sitting ,its real pain just take it easy (rest).Magnesium helps with cramps ,
My chronic lower back pain (slipped disk - gym injury), was helped greatly when I started Windsurfing. I may have been 46-47. Now 63
I could hardly bend to pick up anything from the floor. Now back to maybe 80% of strength. Bend and lift stuff easily.
Wearing a waist harness caused me more pain though, but it just feels great since moving to a seat harness.
It's a great sport.
Select to expand quoteAUS 808 said..
Not sure about ding crashes but windfoil crashes are nothing compared to catapults when windsurfing.
The mast always seems to miss the nose of the board & it's so slow (1/2) speed compared to windsurfing so you don't get hurt, no landing on your back or just about snapping your neck.
I'm just trying foiling and finding the crashes are much scarier than catapults.
Slower, sure, and the body doesn't get flung, but my worry is the ankle extension that comes when my feet stay in the straps.
I broke one a few years ago windsurfing when the board decided to flip on a bit of cross chop halfway through a gybe and I don't relish the idea that it could happen again.
Select to expand quoteMr Milk said..
I'm just trying foiling and finding the crashes are much scarier than catapults.
Slower, sure, and the body doesn't get flung, but my worry is the ankle extension that comes when my feet stay in the straps.
I broke one a few years ago windsurfing when the board decided to flip on a bit of cross chop halfway through a gybe and I don't relish the idea that it could happen again.
i don't foil, but I always make sure my footstraps are just open enough to allow my foot to twist though 90 degrees.
Hi Martin, check out Stuart McGill, he has a book out called Back mechanic. www.amazon.com/Back-Mechanic-Stuart-McGill-2015-09-30/dp/B01FKSGJYC
Basically advises on three types of exercises to strengthen core. I had a herniated disc with fractured vertebra (lower back) from foiling crash , a couple of years ago. Really helped to stabilise the spine and felt relieved for a few hours after the exercise at the very early stages of recovery. He also has loads of YouTube videos out there. Awesome book , for insight and understanding on your journey to recovery.
BTW, just received my new Zulu Assegai foil from Robbie in South Africa, which looks absolutely amazing ,can't wait to give it horns this weekend. Amazing how the cogs turn in this world
