Sport Today

I packed in a lot of windsurfing on SF Bay this sping/summer, because I knew
I'd have to stop completely in August for other obligations. Fortunately, we
had a lot of windy days and I got to sail about 85% of them, managing to
sail six or seven days in a row several times. And I did burn out! I didn't
get bored, I just got really tired. My muscles and joints got sore, and just
didn't have time to recover. I found myself sailing worse at the end of the
season than I did in the beginning. Looking back, I realize I should have
taken more days off to ride my bike, or go hiking. I think I would have
enjoyed my windsurfing even more.

So I gues my caution is that if you're contemplating living the dream, make
sure you pick a spot where you can do other things.

so, you got windsurfed-out too eh?
it happens when it's happening non-stop.
a day or 2 off should get you back on the saddle..

alex

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My story is similar, but no burnout. I sailed SF Bay over 100 days so
far this year, one stretch was 11 out of 12 days on the water. I did get
tired, but I don't think my sailing suffered because of it. Each morning
I woke up thinking that I needed a down-day. Each afternoon, as soon as
I hit the water, I was ready.

Steve

That's funny I was in the same boat (no pun intended).  It's the whole
too much of a good thing.  But the way I explained it to my
non-windsurfing buddies is like this; when the wind is blowing, it's
like sitting in the lodge on a powder day.  You just gotta get out.
But then after several days of this, you kinda get a little
over-surfed.

For me, I know what gets to me is that I don't have many windsurfing
buddies so I end up out there alone a lot.  This gets to ya after a
while spending too much time alone and not enough time hiking, biking,
climbing, or camping with buddies.

I s'pose it's all about balance (grasshopper).

-Tim

Bob, I found that a lesson with someone like Jason really helps.  I now
am able to relax my arms unless I'm actually jibing.  Made a huge
difference, and my shoulders stopped hurting.  I know what you mean
though, especially if it blows hard for a couple days and I'm getting
my ass kicked.

Bob

Quick question - are you over 40?

If so it's just an age thing - we've had some very windy sessions here in
the UK - and been sailing quite a few days in a row, but Mon - Fri after
work - so only for an hour & half - but very full on 4.0 - 4.5 weather in
big swells and lots of riding out the harness, jumping and wiping out - and
all this after heavy weekend sessions of much longer duration - only now
after 6 days of no wind - do I feel my body getting better - that said I
still have a few strains that are gradually getting better - however, I
still have other problems in that I do a lot of long distance X country
running - and I have similar problems with my achiless and kness -

It's an age thing!!!

REgards

I'm 43, so take the age thing FWIW:

I totally agree with this.

I don't agree with this.

I'm a 2-3 day stretch kinda guy.  After the 3rd day, it just seems like
a job and I have to take a break.  While I haven't had the muscle issues
that you mention, between the driving and heavy sailing, sometimes I get
repetitive injuries that don't heal up right away, like shoulder
soreness or the inability to unclench my figures (from clutching the
steering wheel and booms so much).  I really just get bored unless
conditions change, and being bored, I'm not as sharp, and therefore,
probably don't sail as well by that 4th day.

My sailing is way better towards the end of the season, and my stamina
is definitely better, but I do get bored if it's the same thing every
day.  Changing launches helps for me.  Helps on the social thing, too,
since different people haunt different locations.

-Ed

And I'm 48,  I didn't sail at all during the Spring and most of the Summer
this year,
(degenerative disk issues you may recall), but I've been building up slowly,
since
August, and I'm back sailing the Gorge 7-8 days in a row.  Pacing is the key
in the Gorge,
because it does blow so often.  If I sailed a-la-Fick, I'd be dead now, but
I'm good for
multiple 2-3 hour sessions, seperated by 30-60 minute breaks for food and
beer (and maybe a nap
for my old geezer body).  I'm also good for 7-8 days in a row again.  I find
if I pace myself,
rather than going "all out" I can sail many days duration.  After 8 days
though, I gotta take a day
off.  Do I ever get burned out mentally?  I guess I'm just a cheap date,
because it hasn't happened
yet, but my longest stint is only about 17 days.

In fact, I'm off for another 12 day stretch this Friday, hope it's windy.
;*)

-Craig

--
Craig (The Wind ***) Goudie
Sailing the high desert lakes of Utah on my:
RRD 298, RRD TT and Cross M 8'2" with
Sailworks/Naish Sails and Rec Composites Fins
Sailing the Gorge on my: 9'1" RRD Freeride,
8'3" Logosz Squish, 8'0" Hitech IBM with
Sailworks/Northwave Sails and Curtis Fins

Is that when our warranty runs out?
I guess I gotta hurry and get with the guy who keeps Keith Richards alive...

;-)

Seriously, I've always been sore from windsurfing - ever since my first session -
and I was thir*** years old. Last year, I had some problems with my right
shoulder [rotator cuff] - I believe it came from the fact that I was trying new
stuff and falling a lot and using my mostly right arm to fly the sail for water
starting.

If you feel you heal slower than you used to and stay sore for longer after good
sessions, it may be worth taking a look at your diet. Besides avoiding chemical
stress on your body in the form of caffeine etc., you can take anti-inflammatory
supplements. I took Bromlain (Pineapple Enzyme) to accelerate healing of my
shoulder and I believe it helped a quite a bit.

florian /FFF/

I think a number of gorge geezers would counter that assumption. Hitting 60
did trim a little off my endurance, but Jim (65) and I (61) are almost the
last guys off the water every windy night.

Mike \m/

 Each morning

This is exactly how I feel.  After windsurfing every day for a week or
so, I think to myself I'd better take a break.  But then the wind
comes up and it is so inviting, I feel guilty if I don't go out.  I do
think it helps if you do shorter sessions so that the windsurfing is
not the only thing that gets done every day.
We do 7 months in a row, and then are bummed out when we can't sail
every day.  Thank goodness we are almost at the beginning of the 7
months again, I need to sail!!
Lois

Where are you located?  Seems like it's pretty much the opposite of the
Bay Area...something to think about...

November to June we stay in Margarita Island, VZ.  

Lois