One of our local sailors is turning 80 any day now..Still gets out off Coal Point in NE sailing his freeformula or 111ltre Futura.. Cripes I reckon I'll be lucky to still be sailing when I'm 60!

Firiebob

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sausage said..

Firiebob

I only look old, still a juvenile

We have a guy in our GPSTC team (FNQM) who is 81, Happy Hans the flying Dutchman and who still sails a short board and beats me on the rumbos, another legend I'll get on video soon

Wow!

GingerPom

Alwyn - who Sue refers to is indeed a legend

In the early nineties he was my inspiration to head west with little more than a slalom board 3 sails, a Mal and a ute

I had 5 fantastic years - thanks - I owe it to you Alwyn - I was headed in a different direction before your Input

To come back to the sport in 2009 and see him still going hard was truly an inspiration.

There is a certain 70 ish male formula sailor that routinely whips my butt - but I dare not mention his age or name - truly a FREAK.

Ben555 my son (15 at the time) bought your old 161 at the 2013 Down under pro, he also bought a sail off the certain sailor you mention. I remember at the event watching my son and that sailor go down to the water together to check out the conditions and thinking to myself what a great sport this is that creates a common interest between two people that have over 50 years between the them.

ps: he loves his 161 and now routinely whips my butt

It's not that you have to be exceptional to windsurf past the age of 70. The truth is that windsurfing regularly keeps you young. I am in much better shape now than I was 5 years ago when I started. I think it's not just the physical part, but also the continuous learning, the open air, cold water, social bonds etc...

met an austrian lady at lake garda, she was 78 and still going strong

One of the good things about our sport is that you can keep going for decades and still be competitive.
I am fitter now than I ever was in my teens.
I hope I can keep going for another couple of decades, and I hope my income will support that!

Jez

Great topic. Agree with powersloshin.

Just to add a (another?) Vico, The Old Man of The Sea is 75yo. He just came back late last year from a windsurfing trip to Jericoacura.
He's an extra special dude.
Great hearing about these Older Men and Women of The Sea.

Cheers, BCo.

99% of the people that sail

My windsurfing Buddy, Henry, retired last year at 85
only rode one board in the last 8 or so years
100L F2 Max Air
Most people didn't know how old he was
he didn't look or act Old
Still doesn't !!
Good onYa Henry

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firiebob said..

sausage said..



Firiebob

I only look old, still a juvenile

We have a guy in our GPSTC team (FNQM) who is 81, Happy Hans the flying Dutchman and who still sails a short board and beats me on the rumbos, another legend I'll get on video soon

well Pops..it used to be your 'about me' profile was "running around the spa chasing your missus" .. now it's different! but there is one German guy I see from time to time he should be around 81 at this time and still in top form.. envy him still moves like a gazelle and still pulls like an ox..

I have been on a Simon Bornhoft windsurfing course with an 82 year old woman, she can water start and gybe in windy and choppy conditions, gets tired quick though, quite an amazing woman in my eyes.