Help... signed up for windsurfing course but my upper body strength is rubbish!

[GrimmaTheNome]

DD has become very keen on windsurfing and so DH and I have bravely (or foolishly) signed up for a beginners windsurfing course when the season starts - April or May, don't have exact date yet. He's done a bit before and will be fine; I have done a 'taster' and know that I'll struggle because I'm feeble-armed. I could get a 3.5m rig up (smaller than most adults start with but to be fair I'm only 5'1") but couldn't control it in anything other than 'safe position'.

So - can anyone recommend exercises specifically for building upper-body strength? (my legs are OK) We've got a pair of 5 and 10lb weights.

Bump

Don't give up because you have difficulty pulling the sail out of the water. The more you do it, the more you learn to use your body weight rather than just your arms, to get the wind to help you, and most of all, not to drop it and have to start all over again.

It's also particularly hard to balance in the low/no wind conditions people generally end up starting in, because you have to hold the sail up, rather than balancing it with your weight. Then when you get advanced enough to use a harness, that really saves your arms.

You'll probably find your DH gets just as tired, because being a man, he will have to take out the biggest sail he can lift, whereas you will take out the biggest one you feel comfortable with.

In terms of fitness, don't forget the whole of your back - v v important, and your abs, as well as arms and shoulders. It's endurance you need rather than strength, so train lots of reps with lower weights.

If you have loads of money, Neilsons do a fabulous windsurfing holiday in Vassiliki. Wonderful for all levels - and much nicer sailing without a wetsuit.

Ah... I knew there must be some windsurfers somewhere on MN!

If you have loads of money, Neilsons do a fabulous windsurfing holiday in Vassiliki. Wonderful for all levels - and much nicer sailing without a wetsuit.

Trouble with Vassiliki is they really don't do dinghy sailing, and DH and I want to do that more! The history of this is we took DD to Porto Heli two years ago and put her in HotShots with the idea of hooking her on sailing; she took a dislike to Picos but loved the windsurfing so that kinda backfired . Then we joined local club where I spend most saturdays in season watching her. So we're going to Adakoy which has boats too and less wind - hopefully enough for us though!

DH actually started beginners windsurfing this year in Porto Heli but got sent out with a sail bigger than he was comfortable with, fell onto the board and cracked a rib which put him out of action for the last few days of the hol, which was a shame but (a) means he won't be doing the 'biggest sail' posturing yet awhile and (b) Neilson gave us some money off next hol.

OK... so what would 'lots of reps' constitute? And any clues as to specific moves - I'm a bit clueless what's most effective.

Thanks!

I'm using Nike training club app on Iphone which has got loads of workout variety and doesn't shy away from strengthening your upper body (Shoulder Ripper, anyone?) Workouts from 15 min to 45 min too so it's really good for fitting in once a day around other stuff.

I don't have any i-whotsits myself... maybe if that app is available on iPad I can prise DHs out of his grip

I'm making this up as I go along but if you have gym membership, and the right machines at your gym, I'd try:

1.Seated rows - not the rowing machine, although that would probably be good too, but the weights machine

2.Pull downs

3.Chin ups (Haha)

These seem to me to replicate the uphauling action most closely. Maybe 3 sets of 10-12.

I also find my hands and forearms get very tired when I'm not using the harness, so squeezing a tennis ball, or if you have one, a special grip exercising device.

We went to Lesvos this summer just gone, as DSs like dinghy sailing as well as windsurfing. We had a great time, although the winds are less reliable than Vassiliki, and stupidly I also broke a rib at the end of the 1st week (hint, don't brace the boom clamp against your chest to close it).

No gym membership at the mo, but I might investigate the local leisure centre one. But I can't see me getting there often enough, I think I need to do something consistently.

Glad you put the laugh after chin-up - no chance!

With the 3.5m sail it wasn't the uphaul so much as then being able to do anything without both hands fully on the mast or boom - as soon as I tried to move, splat!

It's practice really. You sort of learn how to move your hands without moving the sail uncontrollably, and the points when you have to adjust your balance against the sail.

Wait until you get planing. It's the closest thing to flying you can experience!