Something great I have noticed since I have gotten into paddling things is that the best guys are generally a touch older and have been at it for a long time.

Your prime in most sports is mid 20's, late 20's max whereas in paddle racing the experience seems to outweigh youth more often than not. The best guys are late 30's to 40's even 50's in some cases apart from a few glaring exceptions that started paddling around extremely early teens with probably the same amount of experience in years.

So don't be discouraged if you're not fast yet. In ten years with religious practice you probably will be....... Smile and thank the lord above you're not into running and on a crash course for knee, hip and back surgery.

We just have to keep the cost of boards at an exorbitant level so the young 'uns can't afford the best and fastest equipment.

doggie said...

PTWoody said...

We just have to keep the cost of boards at an exorbitant level so the young 'uns can't afford the best and fastest equipment.

I agree, keep it very expensive. Thats a great idea

Or you could go the other way and make boards cheap but be such a complete dip**** that no one wants to be have anything too do with you......

Downwinder said...

CMC said...

Something great I have noticed since I have gotten into paddling things is that the best guys are generally a touch older and have been at it for a long time.

Your prime in most sports is mid 20's, late 20's max whereas in paddle racing the experience seems to outweigh youth more often than not. The best guys are late 30's to 40's even 50's in some cases apart from a few glaring exceptions that started paddling around extremely early teens with probably the same amount of experience in years.

So don't be discouraged if you're not fast yet. In ten years with religious practice you probably will be....... Smile and thank the lord above you're not into running and on a crash course for knee, hip and back surgery.

G'day CMC
Good Call I totally agree. I'm into my third year of Downwind Paddling & yes I beleive every year I feel I'm getting faster & faster once you're happy with your equipment & your technique is good & you know how to read the ocean & catch runners you can be a force to be reconed with like those Hawaiians are just WEAPONS if you can stay close to them in a race well I think you're on fire.
See Ya in Da Ocean
DW

At 34 I'm just a grommet at this stuff and it feels great to know that I have a good 20-30 years minimum ahead of me. No hurry, relax and enjoy......

In my OC club we have guys in their mid to late 60's that can kick your butt daily. Inspirational and what an achievement to still be doing something that hard at that age. National champions many times over as well, done Molokai, Hammo the works......