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Most of you guys are all packed up and starting to think about wintertime fun! Here on Maui you can see how spoiled we are by Kev’s great blog shots- Warm wind, sandy beaches, and perfect aqua blue waters with whitecaps as far as you can see! I know, rub it in huh? This is the dream life and someone has got to do it right? I just want you guys to keep your stoke as we come into the winter season. Spring is already around the corner...... well almost!
After spending what seemed like an eternity recovering from my broken legs, I got pretty used to finding alternative things to do since I couldn’t windsurf. This gave me an appreciation of what it is like to not be able to get on the water for 6 months- it really hurts and I have a new respect for all of you warriors out there that have to remove windsurfing from your mind for the cold part of the year.
I will admit, it was a little tortuous to drive by Hookipa and see it firing mast high and 25 knots- I always lived by the out of sight, out of mind theory and this did not help things. I’m guessing if you are reading this blog, you can’t get windsurfing out of your mind...... so in order to keep up on your virtual windsurfing, here are some of my tips to keep you in the game, in the rain and bitter cold winter that is approaching!
Stay fit- even when I was in a wheelchair, I was working out. I was throwing a heavy medicine ball back and forth to my trainer. I was doing sit ups, pull ups, dips and stretching as much as I could. As soon as I was able to pedal on the bike, I was keeping the legs in motion. All the while my mind was in windsurf mode. I was thinking about the muscles I was working and trying to imagine what windsurfing moves activated them- Virtual windsurfing at its finest! Try to take at least a half hour a day and do some kind of routine that will have to replace your water time.... but know that it will make you stronger for that first day on the water!
Watch video’s- if you are working on jybing, google for videos and how to’s! If you are learning to wave sail, watch the maui blogs and see what’s going on. For a great library of moves, check out continentseven.com. There is a TON of cool stuff online and you can study whatever you need to learn.
Do other sports- the more fun you can have the better! When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! I love that saying, sometimes you just have to go with what you got! So if it is freezing cold and snowing, pick you pleasure and get out there. If it is rainy and yucky, go running just for the challenge. The point is to keep active and keep challenging your body to keep going. As soon as you stop, things seize up and to get them working again takes a lot of hard work.
My recovery has been going incredibly well. A lot of it was probably attitude and a lot of it was just plane and simple hard work. No matter where you are or what you have to do, consider yourself lucky- we all love a great sport and even if we only get to do it a couple times a year, there is nothing wrong with virtual sailing everyday! See you out there! MP
» 3 Comments
1Comment
at Friday, 20 November 2009 16:14
Couldn't have said it better myself...
2Comment
at Saturday, 21 November 2009 16:17
Good imput on working out our virtual selves matt. You have always been great inspiration and through this recovery you continue to be. Your son Kayden willlearn from someone with an amazing work ethic.
3Comment
at Tuesday, 24 November 2009 11:07
Great post! But it is as simple as this: Just buy a good wetsuit/a drysuit, and you can windsurf all year, even though your sessions might not be as long!
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