TillermanThe Bristol RS Aero Frostbite Fleet will be kicking off our 2018-2019 season at Bristol YC (in Rhode Island) this Saturday. Well, yes, the BYC clubhouse did have a major fire a few days ago and is closed pending repairs, but the club is not going to let that stop the frostbiting season. Who needs warm changing rooms and a cozy bar? We are hardy frostbite sailors.
With the first day of frostbiting coming up fast, I was pleased to see a post on the Sailorcise blog with some tips on how to be successful on the water in the colder weather.
What is Sailorcise you may ask? Sailorcise is a sailing business in New Jersey that “combines fitness, sailing and nutrition” and is owned by husband and wife team, Matt and Rachel Goetting. (That’s them in the photo at the top of this post looking ridiculously warm in their cold weather gear.) Matt and Rachel seem like very cool people (pun intended) if only because they sail an RS500 and anyone who sails an RS Sailing dinghy is of course super-cool.
Where was I? Where am I? Oh yes, Tips For Sailing In Colder Weather. Let’s see what they have to say….
Tip #1: Have The Proper Gear
Hmmm. I did have the proper gear last season. My only problem is figuring out where I put it all. I should probably find it all soon. I don’t want to discover on Saturday morning that I only have one boot or that all my sailing gloves have holes in them.
Tip #2: Don’t Forget To Hydrate
Hmmm. This is OK in principle but I wear a drysuit when it’s cold and I do suffer from “old men need to pee often” syndrome. I can sure you can understand why I try not to drink too much when frostbiting. Also, Matt and Rachel advise that “you should be drinking half your body weight in ounces.” What? My body weight in ounces is 2,880. I think something got lost in translation here.
Tip #3: Don’t Forget To Fuel Your Body
I like this one. I am all in favor of fuel. I am thinking a full English breakfast of bacon, sausage, black pudding, beans, tomatoes, fried bread, fried eggs, mushroom and lots of HP brown sauce would be the perfect fuel for a day of frostbiting. Sadly I fear that Matt and Rachel may not be thinking along the same lines.
Tip #4: Make Sure You Are Stretching
Totally agree with this one. Over the years I have developed the perfect program of stretching that is the best prevention I know for “old Laser sailor with bad back” syndrome. Well, I thought it was perfect until a few weeks go when I pulled something in my back doing an exercise that is supposed to prevent me from pulling something in my back. Ouch!
Tip #5: Have A Good Mindset
Another great tip. I often have a poor mindset on Saturday mornings in the winter. Some days I have a “it’s way too frigging cold to go sailing today” mindset. Other days I have a “I will just go and sail one or two races then call it a day and head to the bar” mindset. (This one isn’t going to work any more since the clubhouse caught fire.) Matt and Rachel say I should adopt a “have fun and be positive” mindset. Really!? I only do frostbiting because I am a masochist. Is it supposed to be fun?
Only joking. Do check out Sailorcise. There’s a lot of good stuff there.
Think positive. See you on the water, Saturday. (If it’s not too cold.)
Thanks for sharing!!