From: jaime@netcom.com (Jaime Cordera)
Subject: Re: Thighs burning
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 05:53:32 GMT

In article <c=B=wxB@engin.umich.edu> pka@engin.umich.edu (Payman Khalili) writes:
>
>Hi folks!  I read a few articles about excercises, etc. and had a 
>question of my own.
>
>This past summer, while windsufing on relatively long reaches,
>my thighs really started burning to the point that I could not
>hold on anymore and crashed.
>
>This happened several times in high wind and chop conditions when 
>I was trying to point upwind.  My front thigh was always the one 
>which started burning.  
>
>Do any of you guys get this problem?  Is there a remedy for it?
>What could be the problem: am I putting too much weight on my 
>front leg?
>
>-Payman

Yes, I have this problem, at least until I get into windsurfing shape, and, 
I believe, so do many windsurfers. Basically, the problem is that
windsurfing is essentially an anaerobic activity. You are performing what 
amounts to isometric exercises against the straps while you sail.
Isometric exercise means pushing against a fixed object, as opposed to a 
moveable weight.

After I complained about this, hoping to get a better technique tip, I was 
told by an instructor in the Gorge that, done properly, windsurfing is a lot 
of work. Sigh.

First, getting in good shape via weight lifting (squats and lunges) or even
better, energetic bicycle riding, particularly uphill work or sprints, will 
help your leg strength and endurance quite a bit.

Another thing is to relax. I notice that, for myself, I have a tendency to
get more tense as the winds get stronger, even in muscles I don't use 
while sailing !! This over-tense body can fatigue *MUCH* more quickly than
a relaxed body. Try to use the minimum strength necessary.

Unfortunately, your thighs are absolutely necessary, however, you can still
"protect" them in several ways. All of them involve either decreasing the
strain on your legs or changing your leg angle so as to require less strength.
First, you can sheet out a bit and come more upright over the board while 
hanging in the harness, as opposed to hiked out,totally sheeted in, using 
your legs to oppose the sails pull.

Second, you can pull your feet out of the straps and place them flat on the
deck. You probably won't be able to sheet in as much in this position either, 
but the point was to last longer, particularly on very long reaches. You can 
also take this opportunity to flex your legs: I've found this helps reduce
fatigue as well.

You can use either of these to "take a break" on long reaches so you don't
do the burning thigh thing, or to make sure you can make it back upwind to 
the launch site. If you have high winds, as you suggested, then it should
take just a little more time.

BTW, I understand that accepted upwind technique is to lean forward into the 
harness lines, putting as much weight as possible forward onto the booms and 
down on the mast in order to maximize the waterline, and therefore, the boards
resistance to being pushed downwind (and therefore maximizing upwind progress).
Using this strategy, I find that I'm constantly pushing off the back strap,
while hanging in the harness, in order to get my weight forward, and hardly 
doing more than holding my front leg up. In other words, for me, the back 
leg is the one that gets tired working upwind.

Any comments on this ? How has this changed (or not) with the arrival of the
new course-slalom boards and dagger (high-aspect) fins ? Does it matter
whether you can ride the fin or not ? My boards are a couple of years old
now, and I'm wondering how the newer equipment is used.

Good luck !!

Jaime

-- 
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Jaime Cordera   6'0"" 200lbs                                   jaime@netcom.com
9'4" Bic A. Rock, 9'0" ASD slalom, 8'8" ASD Wave, Waddell Race and Surf/Slalom
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