I’m looking at Aruba and would like to talk to anyone else who has been there.
How do you exercise in preparation for a solid week of sailing?
At least by that time the Sailing Season II for 2004 should be under my belt.
But still, how do you prepare for 6-8hr days versus a 2hr after work MN session?
Any non-sailing activities that stand out?
Aruba Anyone?
Moderator: MK
I don't really know how to prepare but I know what was sore.
You will want your hands in sailing shape or you will blister up.
You will need to stock up on some SPF 30+ that is waterproof of course. The sun there is HOT.
Your sailing muscles will be sore for a few days but I found it less tiring than here because the wind is not as gusty.
If I remember right, the longest day I spent on the water was more like 6 hours of sailing. As for other stuff, I really just sailed but there is other things to do: Gambling. Golf. Jeep trips. Fishing.
Have fun.
You will want your hands in sailing shape or you will blister up.
You will need to stock up on some SPF 30+ that is waterproof of course. The sun there is HOT.
Your sailing muscles will be sore for a few days but I found it less tiring than here because the wind is not as gusty.
If I remember right, the longest day I spent on the water was more like 6 hours of sailing. As for other stuff, I really just sailed but there is other things to do: Gambling. Golf. Jeep trips. Fishing.
Have fun.
I have never been to Aruba, but I have been to Bonaire the last two springs and I couldn't help but reply when I inferred from your post that your trip may come after only two summers of MidWest sailing....I too am a relative beginner in the sport - this will be my third full summer of sailing...so last year I was sorta in what sounds like the position you are experience-wise now [I could water-start, use the harness well and go really fast, but no foot straps, no jibes, tricks, etc....not sure the parallel extends skill-wise, but gives you an idea]
Anyway, my girlfriend and I decided we were going to take an extended vacation last spring and we wanted to go somewhere where watersports were the focus...long story short we chose 3.5 weeks in Bonaire and 2 weeks in Margarita back to back....and I can't reccommend Bonaire enough for the stage I would assume you are at, it is all shallow [2-4 feet], crystal clear 80 degree water, on-shore consistent winds, and if you do it right, relatively economical...if you are considering Aruba you are already aware of the airfare costs...but otherwise I think Bonaire is a lot cheaper than Aruba...Bonaire has incredible snorkelling and scuba diving, a really cool national park, mountain biking, sailing, hiking, etc...
If you are interested let me know and I can email you some info....
just an idea....i know a lot of people here have been to both places, so you probably could get a good idea from them as well.
m.
oh yeah, maybe get some gloves, or just bring lots of duct tape for your hands.
Anyway, my girlfriend and I decided we were going to take an extended vacation last spring and we wanted to go somewhere where watersports were the focus...long story short we chose 3.5 weeks in Bonaire and 2 weeks in Margarita back to back....and I can't reccommend Bonaire enough for the stage I would assume you are at, it is all shallow [2-4 feet], crystal clear 80 degree water, on-shore consistent winds, and if you do it right, relatively economical...if you are considering Aruba you are already aware of the airfare costs...but otherwise I think Bonaire is a lot cheaper than Aruba...Bonaire has incredible snorkelling and scuba diving, a really cool national park, mountain biking, sailing, hiking, etc...
If you are interested let me know and I can email you some info....
just an idea....i know a lot of people here have been to both places, so you probably could get a good idea from them as well.
m.
oh yeah, maybe get some gloves, or just bring lots of duct tape for your hands.
Thanks for the info so far.
Actually I've been sailing since '83 so have a few skills already.
Was interested in observations, suggestions, and info on the other stuff (who knows, I may not sail all day).
Anyone take a sunset cruise or buy a snorkeling package? There's a lot to choose from. Since prices are similar, I'd like to know if one outfit's equipment/boat etc. are any better than the others.
Actually I've been sailing since '83 so have a few skills already.
Was interested in observations, suggestions, and info on the other stuff (who knows, I may not sail all day).
Anyone take a sunset cruise or buy a snorkeling package? There's a lot to choose from. Since prices are similar, I'd like to know if one outfit's equipment/boat etc. are any better than the others.
Was in Aruba a few years ago. I second the hands blistering thing. By the end of the week I had duct tape around the blisters with gloves over that. I rented from sailboard vacations and stayed in front of the huts. Mostly flat water sailing but there was two days that a two foot swell wrapped around the point to the north and marched into the outside of the sailing area. was so clean and spaced fairly far apart. Made it a little more interesting. I rented a jeep and drove to the windward side of the island to check out those spots. Didn't have equipment and was alone so didn't sail there but would go for it next time.
The carribean sailing is a special one for us northern fresh water sailors! I spend 3-6 wks each winter in my favorite spot, Margarita, Venezuela!
>
I start the workouts about 2-4 months ahead of time, these consist of plenty of weights and lotsa nordic track or skimbat! You will not need to go to muscle failure, (no need to bulk up) just keep the weights moderate and the reps many! I do Back, Bicepts, Abs, Legs, Tricepts, and calves, to name a few muscle groups. Bottom line, nothing will prepare you completely, but the above reduces the sore days to only a couple, vs a week or so!
>
Nothing will help your hands if you do not control the water time!! We are used to fresh cold water here, and the warm bathwater in the carib will soften even the toughest callouses, and result in tearing them off during long sailing sessions!
>
I have gone with both roofers hands and programmer hands, neither survived a week of 2-3 hr sessions, back to back!! The key is the skins ability to absorb water, if it does too much, the skin will simply rub right off!! And warm salty water is perfect for skin absorbtion. I can tell ya, I have spent many trips with nickel sized holes in my hands!!
>
The best method I have found in 10+ years of carib visits is to limit the water time to about 1-2 hrs max. Just come back in, and rest/dry-out the hands for about a half-hour, then back for another 1-2 hrs on the water. This alone will decrease the open wounds by 60-80%!! Don't worry, the wind will still be there! It's not like the midwest! It blows almost every day, all day! It's tuff to break the Minnesota 'Sail till the wind dies' habit! I know, hence the huge holes in my hands!
>
The next best thing is heavy lanolin lotion each night before bed, something like 'Bag Balm' or 'Udder Cream'. These are like wheel bearing grease in consistancy, but soak into the skin overnight, resulting in somewhat waterproof skin the next day!! This can help remove almost all damage possibilitys, and I have had 100% success using both limited water time, and 'Bag Balm'!
>
Gloves and duct tape offer some protection for open wounds, but make the situation much worse for undamaged hands! Both hold the water against the skin, and any irregular fit in the glove or tape will only serve to open the skin. Not to mention, I try to grip harder to get the same tactile feedback thru the thick tape or gloves, this kills my forearms, and serves to shread the hands as well!
>
For a 1 week stay, you can simply pound it hard and call in sick for the first couple days back!
I have done this, when I was younger, and sailed a solid 3-5 hrs each session, with about 2 sessions each day! It's killer on the body and hands, but so worth the fun sailing in consistient wind!
>
Now I simply stay for a more spread-out vacation period of 3-6 wks, so I have time to ramp up the windsurfing over a much longer time frame! In the past 3-5 years, I have had no problems with hands or body, other than aging and normal muscle soreness!
>
Well, hope this is more than enough info! I have not been to Aruba yet, and have found paridise and a bunch of friends in Margarita, so it's unlikely I will go, but here's wishing you plenty of wind and good times!
ENJOY!
>
I start the workouts about 2-4 months ahead of time, these consist of plenty of weights and lotsa nordic track or skimbat! You will not need to go to muscle failure, (no need to bulk up) just keep the weights moderate and the reps many! I do Back, Bicepts, Abs, Legs, Tricepts, and calves, to name a few muscle groups. Bottom line, nothing will prepare you completely, but the above reduces the sore days to only a couple, vs a week or so!
>
Nothing will help your hands if you do not control the water time!! We are used to fresh cold water here, and the warm bathwater in the carib will soften even the toughest callouses, and result in tearing them off during long sailing sessions!
>
I have gone with both roofers hands and programmer hands, neither survived a week of 2-3 hr sessions, back to back!! The key is the skins ability to absorb water, if it does too much, the skin will simply rub right off!! And warm salty water is perfect for skin absorbtion. I can tell ya, I have spent many trips with nickel sized holes in my hands!!
>
The best method I have found in 10+ years of carib visits is to limit the water time to about 1-2 hrs max. Just come back in, and rest/dry-out the hands for about a half-hour, then back for another 1-2 hrs on the water. This alone will decrease the open wounds by 60-80%!! Don't worry, the wind will still be there! It's not like the midwest! It blows almost every day, all day! It's tuff to break the Minnesota 'Sail till the wind dies' habit! I know, hence the huge holes in my hands!
>
The next best thing is heavy lanolin lotion each night before bed, something like 'Bag Balm' or 'Udder Cream'. These are like wheel bearing grease in consistancy, but soak into the skin overnight, resulting in somewhat waterproof skin the next day!! This can help remove almost all damage possibilitys, and I have had 100% success using both limited water time, and 'Bag Balm'!
>
Gloves and duct tape offer some protection for open wounds, but make the situation much worse for undamaged hands! Both hold the water against the skin, and any irregular fit in the glove or tape will only serve to open the skin. Not to mention, I try to grip harder to get the same tactile feedback thru the thick tape or gloves, this kills my forearms, and serves to shread the hands as well!
>
For a 1 week stay, you can simply pound it hard and call in sick for the first couple days back!
I have done this, when I was younger, and sailed a solid 3-5 hrs each session, with about 2 sessions each day! It's killer on the body and hands, but so worth the fun sailing in consistient wind!>
Now I simply stay for a more spread-out vacation period of 3-6 wks, so I have time to ramp up the windsurfing over a much longer time frame! In the past 3-5 years, I have had no problems with hands or body, other than aging and normal muscle soreness!
>
Well, hope this is more than enough info! I have not been to Aruba yet, and have found paridise and a bunch of friends in Margarita, so it's unlikely I will go, but here's wishing you plenty of wind and good times!
ENJOY!
Aruba
Been there twice..had a blast both trips. If you're staying at the Village.
Dominic held a morning stretch/yoga session which really helped to get the kinks out, and allowed a 50+ old dog like me to sail 7 days straight. Phil, the then owner, swore by full finger gloves to avoid blisters. I found that liberal doses of advil, sun-screen, Amsdel, and Margaritas kept most cares at bay. They also have some nice casinos, clubs, and great people watching. Be sure to go to BANUNUNU's for local cuisine, and QUE PASA for ambiance. JN P.S. Do you think they'd notice a 200# lump in your baggage?
Dominic held a morning stretch/yoga session which really helped to get the kinks out, and allowed a 50+ old dog like me to sail 7 days straight. Phil, the then owner, swore by full finger gloves to avoid blisters. I found that liberal doses of advil, sun-screen, Amsdel, and Margaritas kept most cares at bay. They also have some nice casinos, clubs, and great people watching. Be sure to go to BANUNUNU's for local cuisine, and QUE PASA for ambiance. JN P.S. Do you think they'd notice a 200# lump in your baggage?
i have never been there but i found this website, i hope it helps
you should visit
http://www.aruba-hiwinds.com
TJ
you should visit
http://www.aruba-hiwinds.com
TJ
Enjoying life and Windancing.