Return of the Sea-Blobs: Getting in Shape for Spring Revival

“I’m so unfamiliar with the gym, I call it James!” ~Ellen DeGeneres

 

“What’s so tiring about jet skiing…you’re just sitting there!” says just about every non-PWCer that I encounter on Monday morning at the office, as I prop myself up next to the coffee maker.  If you have to ask that question, then you have never spent a day riding.  Especially not a day riding with me. 

The seat on my PWC has less wear and tear than any other part of the boat, because it barely gets sat upon.  I ride standing much of the time, unless I am in a no wake zone or riding with a passenger.  I also ride entirely in the ocean, where on all but the calmest of days there is chop and waves that need to be navigated and powered through.  A ride for me is a constant deviation in body position, throttle position, and tons of adrenaline.  My quadriceps resemble brick shithouses, and for good reason.  If you have never run flat out balls-to-the-wall through moderate chop for  miles at a time, then you have no idea how quickly you will find out how out of shape you really are.  Riding a PWC is a lot of physical work!

Many of you are no doubt de-winterizing now, and may have even gone for your first run or two of the season.  How awesome is it to get back to the wind and water!  And how amazingly well did you sleep the night after that first ride?  Probably quite.  If you are already in the habit of some type of regular exercise, good for you!  Getting readjusted to riding your ski should only be a matter of a few bouts of sore thighs and shoulders.  But for those of you that have emerged from winter hibernation 10 pounds heavier, and with energy levels to reflect that, it is time to amp it up.  The trend in riding has really shifted to long distance touring.  Unless you are just planning to putt around the local lake towing your brother’s kids in a tube and then promptly settling into the water with a cold beer in hand for the remainder of your day, then you may want to do a few things to get into a less blob-ular state for the summer.  Do you want your buddies picking on how little freeboard your gunnels have this year compared to last?  I didn’t think so!



Hope you ate your Wheaties this morning!
Heave-ho...



The absolute easiest thing you can do to start de-blobbing is to start walking.  Walk a mile or two per day.  This can even be accomplished by little things, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking your vehicle farther from the front door of everywhere you go (your car will be happier in the shade of that tree way over yonder than baking in the sun near the store entry anyway).  I am not a gym person.  I go to one, but only because it is in my residential community and costs me nothing extra.  I personally would never pay extra for it, because I frankly despise the gym atmosphere.  If you like ‘em, more power to you!  Go, and go often.  But getting some form of weight training in will only help you feel stronger and more limber, especially when your oblivious friend forgets to watch the tide, and now their ski is at an unpleasant 45 degree angle as it rests in the sand on its keel.  Guess who will be helping drag it off?

Up and away! (yours truly)

 If you want to get your endurance back up, get some cardio going.  Jogging, swimming, cycling…whatever tickles your fancy.  I am a runner.  But I also enjoy kayaking when I have access to one.  The more you get your heart and respiratory rate up, the easier it will be to take those long rides in rough water and not have to stop to catch your breath.  I cannot emphasize enough how critical a good strong core is.  It is the center of balance, but it also plays a key role in keeping your back from getting f#$%ed up.  Taking impact in your legs will go a long way to save your back, as will a strong core and back muscles.  Chances are, those areas have been dormant for much of the winter.  Some crunches or medicine ball exercises can do wonders.

And let’s not forget just simply feeling better!  It is swimsuit season, and unless you ride in ice cold water, you may be exposing your pale hide to the general public.  Do not frighten them!  Make them envious.  One more important thing…we all know that riding and then eating/drinking like starved refugees goes hand-in-hand.  If you want room for all those naughty calories, then getting into some semblance of physical fitness will speed up your metabolism and make you feel more justified opening that 7^th Budweiser of the day.

If you are not lacing up your sneakers at this very moment , then shame on you!  Let’s be good and healthy this season.  Let’s be sure to suck the marrow out of our beloved sport this summer, no matter what the weather or conditions.  The next time someone asks you what could possibly be tiring about riding a PWC, offer to take them out and demonstrate.  I guarantee they will never doubt you again.  If they aren’t walking funny the next day, I would be shocked.  Go grab a Power Bar and some Gatorade and get to work!  No blobby riders this year!



Time to drop the pizza slices!