I'm 49 next month and retired early in march after a long time in a very stressful and long hours job that used to limit my kiting and exercise time severly over the last 13 yrs. I'm now kiting more than ever and used to feel it on my legs and ankles mainly as I only ride strapless.

I swim (upto 1.5k), and do an all over body weights routine in my non kiting days, both of which have strengthened me loads and help me drop 16 lbs (a big help in kiting too).

I take fish oils, glucsamine(for joints) and tumeric (a natural anti inflamatory) daily and use an inversion table to stretch my spine a few minutes every day (a great purchase).

Mike

I am 54 in two weeks.
My neck bones are fucked, my right elbow is fucked, both my thumbs are fucked.
Had 'em all surgically fixed and they are still fucked.
The rest of me is like a right and ready banty rooster!!!!

Your thumbs??? Was it a kite related injury?

I am getting tennis elbow from one handed toe side riding. Now I ride heel side with two hands

I just turned 60 on Halloween ; that moderation thing is sounding
kinda nice right now because the mileage on this body has bin like
all dirt road and no highways.

As long as i Don't need Viagra and the body can hold out for another two
hour kiting-session, then i think i'll be OK !!

Bille

I'm 57 and find I can kite for hours, while windsurfing wears me out in 30 minutes. No physical problems, and I'm really glad I did not wear myself out or seriously injure myself when younger. Only possible difficulty is a weak knee from a snowboarding accident 10 years ago. I find riding strapless surfboards even easier on the body than twintip. I use a seat harness, which I think might help, and don't do any radical moves. Mostly cruising, jumping, and surfing. I've been lucky enough to travel to the southern hemisphere, Cape Town, most winters for the past few years, and that helps a lot as one can ride for many hours every day, and get a lot better in the ocean.

I'm 49 and I also feel I'm the best shape in my life. I partly attribute that to doing some type of exercise everyday, which is usually surfing or playing soccer, except for one day. Lately I have incorporated weights for ten minutes a day and for stretching I do some yoga type moves. This helps me stay ready when we have wind so I can do 2 to 3 hour sessions.

No, my fathers thumbs are shite also.
But he is 92 and still kickin' so I'm not bitchin about my broken parts.

I am 56 and have been kiting for about 10 years. I windsurfed prior to that. In addition to kiting I lift weights briefly twice per week for only about 15 minutes (High Intensity Training). No injuries from kiting, but did have shoulder surgery years ago from tennis serving. And I injured my knee years ago playing basketball. It can get sore if I kite hard and do a lot of jumping.

Ed

I have developed this theory with the growing number of years:
'If you're hurting when you wake up, all is good, you are still kicking'
It becomes a part of you
N 52