What level of impairment does it take to stop us challenging the upper levels of windsurfing? Two new hips? Apparently not.
I came round in the recovery room staring at the ceiling feeling strangely euphoric – that’s morphine for you. It was a happy bubble that was soon to be pricked by the fine-boned doctor standing over me, who had just done the operation.
“So doc,” I said grinning inanely, “how’s it looking?” “Mr Hart,” he replied with the look of a Victorian head master, “you have the knee of a seventy year old,” (I was 31 at the time). “Well I better give it back then,” I said before creasing up in drug-induced hysterics.
From his stony expression, he’d evidently heard that one before and then delivered the killer line. “You really need to rethink what you do with your life – professional sport is over for you.” He explained that I had irreparable damage to the joint surface that would get ever worse the more I jumped up and down on it. Not even the finest quality morphine could soften that blow.
But then shortly after, in walked Magnus. Magnus was the senior surgeon with whom I had my initial consultation; and as a former rugby-player, was an altogether different animal.
“What’s the matter old boy? Don’t tell me … old misery-guts has been to see you … bloody good young surgeon, does a better job at that fiddly stuff than me, but he’s never done a day’s sport in his life. Doesn’t get it. Thinks anyone who plays silly games is an unnecessary burden on the NHS.”
“So will I really have to give up windsurfing?”
“Bloody hell no! We’ll keep you going with a trim here and tuck there. Just keep it strong and probably best to give up squash and marathon running.”
“So when will I have to?” I asked slightly more optimistically.
Denne historien er fra Issue 371 - November December 2017-utgaven av Windsurf.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Issue 371 - November December 2017-utgaven av Windsurf.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New School
Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
THE LAST WAVE
Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.
STILL IN THE GAME
After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.
REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!