Last few days especially I can hardly function

Too much wind in Perth recently.

Takes me 3 days to make a full recovery these days.

For the remainder of the season I'm thinking 5.0 with my 80 litre free ride board to ease the muscles.

Holding bigger than a 5.5 these days takes too much out of me!

Sailing at choppy Pelican Point is so much more demanding than at the millpond that is Melville.

Pete, if you come good after 3 days then it's not chronic, it's just life in the 40s. Wait till you hit the 50s.

WindmanV said..
Same problem here in Victoria.

I'm back at work today, so I'll be able to recover (until this aftrenoon, when I hope the seabreeze will kick in).

Pete perhaps sailing under powered all the time is hard work. Try rigging something bigger than a handkerchief. You may actually find using a bigger sail rigged with the correct downhaul easier to use and less demanding on your body.

It will improve your ability to sail up and down wind as well

I've been trying to improve my TOW stamina. Best thing I have found is using a 2lt water backpack so I can stay hydrated while I sail. Hydration is really important. I'm 44 and I practically doubled my session GPS distance average with just that.

Also having a really good feed before starting and getting something with protien afterwards help body repair muscles.

Theres protein in beer right?

petermac33 said..
Last few days especially I can hardly function

Too much wind in Perth recently.

Takes me 3 days to make a full recovery these days.

For the remainder of the season I'm thinking 5.0 with my 80 litre free ride board to ease the muscles.

Holding bigger than a 5.5 these days takes too much out of me!

Sailing at choppy Pelican Point is so much more demanding than at the millpond that is Melville.

Too windy?! is there such a thing?

I sometimes sail at Lucky Bay (melville) because it's quick/convenient, and is good for getting my fitness levels back up to scratch. I'd much rather be powered up in chop than grovelling in flat water.

I find that for me the sequence of "grovel, grovel, pump, pump, pump, pump, pump, 'ah crap', grovel, grovel, pump, plane, 'woohoo', grovel, sink, swim, repeat" is highly demanding.

Then again, it might just be because I'm trying to sail 110kg on 100L board on a gusty mill pond

Wish we had some wind here, getting into my second fortnight of holidays and only had about 3 sails.... It's last time I'm taking time off over Xmas / New Year!!

petermac33 at 44 years of age you need help , if your aim is to be still windsurfing at the age of 70+ you need help contact DECREPIT he's hitting 70 and knocked out over 500klms last month with one session 200 plus and backed up a couple of days later with another 100+, onya mike your an inspiration to all of us young blokes

You need a few days off to appreciate sailing anyway..
I get too fussy if I'm out 3 days a week- have to sail perfectly , fussy about wind etc.. I've just had an enforced week off and I don't care how I sail tomorrow ( almost ) I'll just be glad to be back on the water..

Managed to get out for two hours whilst it was windy in the middle of the day. Got home and took the smoothie advice above. milk, banana, egg whites, raspberries. have to say it seems to have done the trick. Feel nowhere near as sore today as I have or previous occasions.

I was given a very good tip for conserving energy by a pro sailor when wave sailing. He made me sail around in the break and when going out the back using one hand. Doing this really ensures you are committed to the harness, and it teaches you to sheet out a bit and take it easy whilst you are eyeing up the sets you intend on riding.

Even if you are slalom sailing using one hand ensures you are not using the arms too much