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.

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"

sboardcrazy said..















The foiling learning curve looks like it can be a bit nasty..

Paducah said..














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

duzzi said..










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.

AUS 808 said..






Time to go Foiling Mike, wind or wing, you'll love it & it's easier on the bod??????