From: kkiley@moose.uvm.edu.UUCP (Kor Kiley)
Subject: Re: Windsurfing Hangover
Originator: kkiley@moose.uvm.edu
Organization: University of Vermont -- Division of EMBA Computer Facility
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1992 16:56:46 GMT

From article <l6ri1bINN8p6@appserv.Eng.Sun.COM>, by bobd@wave.Eng.Sun.COM (Bobd Dow):
> In article <1992Jul21.190835.17973@nntp.hut.fi> jmunkki@vipunen.hut.fi (Juri Munkki) writes:
>>In article <1992Jul20.161330.5144@maths.tcd.ie> bpaul@maths.tcd.ie (Barry Paul) writes:
>>>Does anyone else out there suffer from lethargy, dizzieness, and headaches the
>>>morning after a long days blasting?
>>
> 
> I agree that "windsurfing hangover" exists.  Last year somebody
> suggested the same thing, but he called it "windsurfing depression."  I
> started participating in master's swimming a few years ago, but since I
> got into windsurfing I find it hard to make the monday swimming workout
> because of being so lethargic and depleted from the weekend sailing.  A
> 4,000 meter swimming workout in the morning will definitely make you
> easy going and relaxed the rest of the day, but the next day you feel
> like being active, as opposed to a big windsurfing session.
> 
> I think the wetsuit has something to do with it, either through dehydration
> or some other effect that is probably best discussed on alt.sex.bondage.
> At any rate, last summer I tried to pay attention to how I felt after 
> sailing in Maui with no wetsuit, and I definitely felt better the next
> day.
> 
> Doug Haut (famous local shaper) tells me that he limits himself to 2
> hours a day max because he's just learned over the years that that's
> what his limit is.  This year I'm making a point of getting to the
> beach later so I sail less but in the best winds -- that seems to help
> too.
> 
> Diet -- my suggestion is to watch what you eat for the first few
> hours after a Sunday sail-- a bag of macaroons is good and provides fiber.
> Then eat continuously until Tuesday.
> 
> Best solution of course would be to retire so you could sail every day
> and either build yourself up or wipe yourself out completely, which
> solves the problem either way.
> 
> Come to think of it, when I was learning and was down in the water all
> the time, staying cool and getting plenty of electrolytes and 
> heavy metals administered nasally, this problem of next day lethargy
> wasn't nearly so bad.  It really coincided with starting to make a 
> few jibes.  So it must be dehydration. 
> 
> Any other tips on maintaining the proper water level?
> 

This is an interesting discussion.  I though I was one of the few
people who could get really wiped out from sailing.  Then again I'm 47
years old and have "health problems."  Nevertheless I do very well if
I'm careful.  I'm most careful when I take a trip to Cape Hatteras for
2 or three weeks.

The first day I limit my sailing to an hour or two.  I try to work
into it very gradually.  It takes at least a week before I start to
fell really aggressive out on the water.  I'm then sailing really well
and having alot of fun.

I think a big problem for people who have expressed these symptoms is
the sporadic nature of windsurfing.  Because of the infrequencies of
good winds in a lot of areas we just don't do it regularly.  Then when
we do go, we get so excited that we ignore our fatigue.

I also agree with the stuff about liquids.  You can definitely get
very dehydrated windsurfing.  But for me, it also helps not to eat
heavily on days I do a lot of sailing.

Also, don't just sail for 3 hours straight.  Take at least one break
every hour, if possible.

I think moderation and common sense should take care of most of the
symptoms people are reporting.
-- 
Kor Kiley                        kkiley@moose.uvm.edu
Bailey/Howe Library
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405             (802) 656-8290
Newsgroups: rec.windsurfing