Interesting thread on how long can we keep this up? When is "too old" for windsurfing? Much later many assume.
https://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/How-long-Can-This-Go-On-?page=1
The original question plus some of the best bits (condensed).
"I'm 58. I love windsurfing. I especially love overpowered sailing in strong southeasters at my home spot, which is a rough open water location. At my age, however, I am wondering how much longer I can keep it up. "
"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."
"I'm 66 and still going strong. I do no special exercise apart from regular windfoiling / windsurfing, walking the dog daily and regular stretching. I mainly wave wind foil and high wind flat water finning."
"I`m 76 and sailing in all types of winds up to 15-20m/s in Sweden. I`m using Goya pro 3 86 liters/Severne Fox 95-105 and 120 liters boards.
All of the sails are Ezzy Zeta and cheetah."
" agree. At age 70 I decided my ole bod was just getting worked too hard with formula gear, which involved sail sizes up to 12.0.
So, I switched to winDfoiling, where my biggest sail is a 7.0. One amazing thing about winDfoiling is that you can use one board and one foil for a huge range of sail sizes. I use the same board and foil for 7.0 as well as 2.8. Can't do that with fin windsurfing. For example, two days ago I was on a 3.5 on the Columbia, then yesterday morning on a 7.0 at the same spot on the same board and foil. (After yesterday's 7.0 morning drainage wind abated, I went fishing.)"
"We have an 88 year old sailor. I don't know if he got out last season but he was definitely sailing at 86.
He no longer sails in chop. He sails in flat shallow water so he doesn't have to gybe.
He rigs and carries his own gear in walking through the wind shadow.( which is hardwork) and I reckon he must be pretty fast.
I was at Budgy 2 years ago and I felt I was going pretty fast. Someone flew past me..
It was Al! ( 86years old )"
"The whole thing about windsurfing it's an amazing enjoyable and healthy sport and by doing it regularly is what keeps you feeling young so don't worry how old you are statistically you'll be sailing for another 20+ yrs
My only problem at 77 is I can't wipe the stupid grin of my face after a sail"
"I know a former world 14 foot skiff champ who is 85 and now sailing and winning in Javelins (skiffs), and he said to me the secret is to not stop doing the sport you love, coz when you stop your body starts to get soft real quick."
"Years ago we were camping at the Banana River Resort in Florida. One afternoon a car pulls up and three old guys get out. They were all 93 years old and could barely walk, but they were talking animatedly. They hobbled down to the grass launch, got their pre-rigged windsurfing boards/sails out from the rack (Beth let them keep their gear there), and helped each other put the gear into the water. They helped each other put on their harnesses, then stepped into the water.
The wind was a nice 15 kt breeze out of the southwest. They uphauled, looked at each other, hollered "ready," sheeted in, and then...
...**pouff** they were off like rockets. After only 30 seconds they were out of sight. If I had a video camera that clip would still be in my collection."
"Hi yes I'm 66 and had 2 total knee replacements and a hip replacement in the last 3 years.
Still going strong - windsurfing (ocean), kitesurfing but mostly windfoiling these days."
Also the fact that Antoine Albeau had such a long career and didn't retire from PWA racing until he was 50 says a great deal. He was making top 5 against guys less than half his age.
I dunno. I feel pretty expired just from rigging today. Just watching Randy pump up his wing is exhausting.
Bill Herderich
(Love ya, Randy.
)
Did you rig something with a size that started with a 1 and ended with another 1 without the benefit of a decimal point? Heck, I get tired just typing a number that big.
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
Yeah 11.0. It was the only sail I brought. Didn't expect it to really blow that hard at Galt's on a NW wind. Is there a word for the opposite of skunked?
Not having sailed in over a year didn't help. Even took a wrong turn driving there.
Bill Herderich
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/sep/23/eat-beans-and-scratch-your-own-back-expert-advice-on-how-to-age-better-inside-and-out
( Stay healthy, go more often
)
Well done, sir. The opposite of skunked? Weathercat'ed? Gene or Randy probably have a good one. Or, anyone else?
Always bring more gear (sizes) than you need :-). All fine to get reminded of that
There is one flaw in the idea that there is no expiration date.....
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Just when I think I'm doing something impressive
https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/JxdxWm/103-ariga-ruth-slar-varldsrekord-i-fallskarmshopp
"103-year-old Ruth Larsson breaks the record as the world's oldest skydiver
"You can see the whole world in front of you"
MOTALA. On Mother's Day, the dream came true.
Ruth Larsson, 103, is officially the world's oldest skydiver.
- It feels wonderful. This is what I've been looking forward to, says the new record holder.
In 2019, Ruth Larsson parachuted for the first time. At the time, she was 101 years old and hoped to enter the Guinness Book of Records. But it wasn't to be, as 103-year-old Kathryn Hodges from the United States snagged that spot just months earlier.
But now Ruth is back, with the record age in and the revenge around the corner.
Just a few hours before she is to throw herself out of an airplane at an altitude of 4,000 meters, we get to feel her nerves.
- It feels very good, if I can manage it now, says the 103-year-old.
Ruth Larsson has 4 children, 19 grandchildren and over 30 great-grandchildren. Many of them are on site and everything from old friends to local residents have gathered at Skärstad airfield to witness the record attempt. Ruth seems to have become a bit of a local celebrity in Mjölby , where she lives.
"She just lights up"
Youngest daughter Ulla Eriksson Bergman stands by Ruth's side throughout the day.
- Mum looks ten years younger because of this, she just lights up. And she has been talking about it for many years, says the daughter.
- And I'm just very happy to help her. I'm not nervous at all, says grandson Per Salbark, who is behind much of the planning for the record attempt.
Ruth is not used to all the commotion and she seems relieved when she gets to go into the hangar and put on her flight suit. To help her, she has Joackim Johansson from Linköping's parachute club, who became a favorite of Ruth's already the first time she jumped, in 2019. This time, too, it is Jocke who accompanies her up in the air.
Judge from London on site
On hand to approve the record attempt is Joanne Brent, official judge from the Guinness World Record in London.
- The current record for the oldest skydiver is 103 years and 129 days, she says.
In order for the attempt to be approved, Brent tells them that they have to go through everything from Ruth's birth certificate to old school grades to ensure that she is of age and that it will thus become a world record.
Fortunately, everything seems to be in order.
- Ruth has every chance in the world to make it and she seems so calm, continues Joanne Brent.
Now the 103-year-old finally ends up in the Guinness Book of Records.
The jump was over an hour late. Ruth and some spectators made their way to the shade.
Dramatic landing
At 3:00 p.m. Ruth was said to be taking off, but it's all delayed. Then she takes the opportunity to escape both the sun and curious onlookers in an old hangar.
Are you nervous?
– No.
Not at all?
– No.
Here together with two from Linköping's parachute club.
Ruth prepares for her jump.
Thumbs up from the flight.
A short while later, the flight cap goes on and the parachute is tightened. Ruth waves goodbye to all the spectators and is led into the airplane with the help of Per and Joackim.
It takes the plane 25 minutes to reach the desired altitude of 4,000 meters. Finally, we see a blue parachute unfold and we know it's Ruth sailing up there. 103 year old Ruth.
Suddenly they approach and when Ruth hits the ground we can hear a small howl. She landed on her knees instead of her usual butt. Worried whispers can be heard among the applause as Ruth lies on the ground. But then she gives a thumbs up and the cheering resumes along with lively accordion music.
Greeted by flowers and champagne
And just like that, Ruth Larsson secured her place in the Guinness Book of Records. She receives a framed diploma and is photographed with Joanne Brent.
- This is what I have been looking forward to. And then you get so many flowers and nice when you come down, says a relieved Ruth, with a glass of champagne in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other.
Were you scared up there?
- Well, not a bit.
Maybe you're used to it by now?
- You probably never really get used to it, but I thought it went well anyway.
I just found this. Now, I won't have to wear people out by pumping up my wings manually. The Ride Engine Air Box is the perfect solution to helping people enjoy watching me pump up my gear w/o actually doing any work. So I'm starting a GoFundMe to raise money for this worthy cause.
"Say goodbye to the days of manual pumping! Thanks to the Air Box from Ride Engine, you can inflate your equipment with ease. Its powerful two-stage system quickly transitions from low to high pressure for speedy inflation. Get on the water faster than ever before! And as an added bonus your friends will never have to get tired just watching you pump up your gear."
https://www.iksurfmag.com/kitesurfing-news/2023/09/ride-engine-air-box-unboxing/
https://youtu.be/IlcH4_LpsQ0
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.