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Wow that 74yr old dude, you are indeed an inspiration and that gives me another 30 yrs on the water at least. Man I feel good.

But on a sad note and a warning...had 9 days in a row and kept saying to myself you need to stretch you need to stretch. Didn't.

Two days ago kiting I pull a right intercostal muscle under the rip cage. 5 to 6 weeks they say and out season is just about in full swing.

PiaKite wrote:I'm 74 and not only riding, but am still an active instructor (IKO Level 2 Senior). I'm, wondering if I am the oldest kiteboard instructor?

Pia,

74 and an active instructor is fantastic. Is there anything special you do to stay healthy and fit to kite?

You give me hope that I will still be tearing it up in 18 years.

Ed

ed257:

Yep, married a woman who is 17 years younger than me. I have to run fast to keep up!

I think it's an attitude; not I can, but I will.

I'm also 74.

Best advice - always keep moving, moderation, and remember "if you don't use it, you lose it"!

I try to do exercises for different areas of body. First thing when out of bed in morning - situps and various stretches - takes maybe 15 minutes, Later in am - various upper body exercises and stretches - use weights (up to 10#), bands, bars, ball - sometime during day walk 3-4 miles (can't really jog anymore) unless driving to kite.

Also, keep weight down - again moderation, eating most anything you like but keep calories in check so weight also in check.

Realize your limitations and adapt to prior injuries - but have fun and represent the sport we all love!!

A lot of athletes get knee and back pain from their legs being too tight. Get a foam roller and work your quads. Alignment is another issue. Having shoulders stronger in the posterior than in the front will give you a lot of pain even with healthy shoulders. I couldn't throw anything for years after my second shoulder dislocation. Was told that I had to have surgery that my shoulder was wasted. Met a trainer that stretched it and walked out 100% and am back to playing volleyball. I have broken my back a few times and have 3 naturally fused vertebrae and dealt with years of sciatica and tremendous pain. After my 2nd epidural and not sleeping for days I went to my 3rd specialist telling me after looking at my ex ray that I needed surgery. I met a body specialist that convinced me he could help and he did!! I literally crawled into his office and walked out 110% and hour and a half later!! A few years ago I thought my sporting life was ending but now at only 39 I feel better than ever because of something as simple a stretching. And kite over 200 days a year:)

cheers men good info.

I'm interested at the stretches you guys are doing. its something i have refused to do to date. but i think i need to step up to a more supple body!

Second that I have a routine bit can always add more.

Plummet mine involve some traditional plus yoga positions. Trick is a basic principle spine should always be straight try to imagine a rod being stretched upwards out top of ya head. Also stretches shouldn't hurt. You can actually cause more tightness as the muscle recoils against the over stretching. Just to you feel it stretch hold until you feel the muscle relax again then slowly stretch further for instance use a towel when doing hammies and keep spine straight and keep elongating up as well. Hammies back and core strength through the plank is my focus. And quads to sorry.

I just want to say "thank you" to those of you who have posted in this thread. These posts have been both inspiring and reassuring. I'm 44 and although I've been surfing since the mid '80s, I'm only just getting started with kiteboarding. I often times think I might be too old a dog to learn a new trick but, this thread helps me to think otherwise.

Thanks.