How old is too old?

[outcast]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuWcwaZvuTU

do yoga

[braden]

I started at age 41; now 65. It would be harder to learn now, all that uphauling is really hard on the back. I have had 24 years of a wonderful sport and hope to manage 10 more. As someone else said, windsurfing is a great incentive to stay in shape. I would be even older than I am if I hadn't taken it up!!

[mtnrunner]

Thanks for the input everyone. I live in a land locked state and it will probably take a few years for me to get to where I want to be with my windsurfing skills. One thing I have to my advantage is already being in good shape. I've been a fairly serious long distance trail runner for the last few years. I'm actually in a lot better shape that I was in my 20's and I weigh less than when I graduated from high school.

[bajaguy]

In La Ventana on the Sea of Cortez, southern Baja, there are several windsurfers who are in their 70's. Ken who drove his motorhome down each winter from Port Angeles, Washington, sailed and rode dirt bikes until he was 82. We lost him to cancer last year, but everyone who knew him celebrates his life. Sounds to me like you've got decades to develop your skills, so get out there. If you didn't know how old you were...how old would you be?

[d0uglass]

Where I windsurf in Florida almost everybody is over 50, including the top formula racers. (Formula is one of the most physically challenging windsurfing disciplines.) At the local launch there are several guys in their 70s who sail very well, and one 83 year old woman who still gets out. 42 is young in this sport, dude. You've definitely still got time to become a high level racer or wavesailor.

Just make sure you have gear that will get you out on the water a lot in your local conditions. For you that probably means big stuff, like longboard or formula board and extra large sails, like 9+ msq.

[windward1]

Windsurfing is the Fountain of Youth. Do it regularly and you will appear younger than those who age around you. So do not waste any time. Get started again. The fact that you can already water start puts you ahead of the game.

[sailingjoe]

Didn't anyone ever tell you that life begins at 40?

[btbill]

Go for it!

Here in Hatteras, at 39.5 yrs old, I am on the "younger" side of the scale for the local wavesailing crew! We have one guy I think is approaching 70 who is always out at the Lighthouse, or Ego in the surf, along with another in his mid 50s who attacks literally anything mother nature throws at us in the waves! He always has a cooler of Busch Lite in the truck too!

Don't forget, Don Bowers in his 50s who is our master FWD looper!

You have plenty of time to improve the skills after 40! Heck, I am looking forward to adding a few more wave and aerial tricks to my skill set once I pass the 40 yr old mark!

Bill
www.obxbeachlife.com

[pueno]

[lrrry]