by This happened two weekends ago but I just wanted to relate it to
anyone who is bored enough to read my plight. I had returned from 6
wonderful days of sailing in Hatteras, wearing as little as bathing
trunks on the warm days and putting on my short sleeve, long leg suit-
about a 3/2 I think - for the colder times. Shorties were the call
the rest of the time. At home, north of Baltimore, the temperature
was about 20 degrees (F)cooler than Hatteras and it was real windy on
that Sunday, so when my friend Sandy invited me to join her at our
local lake I said sure, the chores can wait.
When I got there it was blowing real nice for a lake and I rigged my
7.5 (6's and 7's were the call) I also put on my 5/3 full suit but
because of the temperature difference to the day before, I also put on
a Mysterioso under the full suit( I was temperature timid). I had
sailed this way in prior years with no problem but on my first run out
my arms went stiff and the pain was setting in. I had so much trouble
keeping my hands on the boom that I was gripping the mast with my
front hand and just dangling the back for some stability. Even
waterstarting was painful so I hastily made my way in to shore to shed
the the thermal top. Instant relief, and I sailed the rest of the day
with out any problem except that there was a lingering pain in both
arms that gradually diminished before my sesion was over.
I should not have overdressed from the onset because the water was
still warm enough to sail without booties, but I was a bit intimidated
by the cotrasting temperatures of Hatteras and Northern Maryland. I
don't know if my arms were bigger- I'd been splitting a lot, and I
mean a lot of firewood lately - and the suit/top combination felt
tighter than previously. I thought this is something I'd get used to
but there seems to be no relief from that cramping when you try to use
arm muscles in a confining suit. It sure was a frustrating few
minutes when I started. Anyway, I'm going to be more cautious when I
suit up next time. Got my baggy BARE dry suit for the really cold
days.
Marc
