About Fit2Sail
At Fit2Sail we are passionate about helping you to sail safer, stronger and for longer. As older sailor ourselves, we know only too well — whether hiking out in a dinghy, or cruising in a Solent chop – sailing is a physically demanding activity.
Handling sails, lines and winches or just preparing a dinghy requires upper body strength. Moving around on a shifting deck needs balance, suppleness, and core stability. And time on the water calls for endurance and flexibility to prevent strain or injury.
As we age, natural reduction in muscle mass, bone density and flexibility can make sailing harder. Joint stiffness, reduced reaction time, and balance challenges can increase the risk of accidents.
At Fit2Sail we have created a highly tailored programme of activities and exercises specifically designed to help you to maintain the basic fitness that you need for safe and enjoyable sailing.
The sessions are designed to be accessible, sociable and fun but without the need for gym clothes, special equipment or booming music!
About Ginny and Simon
Husband and wife team, Ginny and Simon Harrop, are keen sailors, in their 60’s and 70’s and live in Cowes, which some call the centre of world sailing — it’s why we moved here.
We know first-hand about waking up in the morning with aching muscles and sore joints. It’s not as easy getting onboard as it used to be – our boat has quite a high freeboard. It can be a real challenge if we need to move a heavy dinghy in the dinghy park. If we’ve been all day on the water, our legs ache and our arms are tired. In any kind of a breeze, balance and suppleness – above or below deck or hiked-out on the gunwales – is critical for staying safe and enjoying our day’s sailing.
Despite suffering from quite extensive arthritis, Ginny is a qualified personal trainer:
“I know more than most, that keeping active can stave off the effects of age-related loss of suppleness, stamina and strength. I have applied my extensive experience of developing exercises and activities, targeted at older age-groups, to create the Fit2Sail programme. This programme is unique because it is designed specifically for older people who love to sail.”
Although Simon has always been quite active, he doesn’t like going to the gym:
“To be honest, I am put off by all that it entails – lycra, bright lights and loud music. Yet I love to sail and I am determined to keep enjoying my favourite activity for many more years. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into buying and maintaining our boat, I’d hate to give it up sooner than I have too. We’re also looking forward to teaching our grandchildren to sail our little dinghy.
Since enjoying the Fit2Sail programme, everything has become a lot less wearying. I feel grounded and energetic again. Ginny is great at making the sessions bright, sociable and fun too!”
A typical basic Fit2Sail programme is divided into areas that focus on suppleness, strength and stamina, each exercise relates to specific activities on-board. For example:
