Angling Fitness

  I first became aware of Laird Hamilton back around 1988 from his role in the movie, "The North Shore", in which Laird played the part of the arrogant antagonist Lance Burkhart. Being a closet surfer myself, I have casually followed Laird's career and accomplishments over the years as not only the preeminent big wave surfer of our time but also his evolution into an extreme health and fitness guru as well.

  A couple of years ago, Joe Rogan had Laird as a featured guest in his podcast. Laird, now in his mid/late fifties was discussing his XPT extreme fitness program and diet routine with Joe, who at one point comedically questioned Laird's motives for engaging in such an intense and unique workout regimen. Laird replied " because to have the kind of fun I want to have well into the next stage of my life, I have to be in top shape"

  For most of my adult life, I was an extremely active, fitness-minded individual. However, in my forties, I lost sight of how important staying in good shape is. Building a business and becoming a father took such high precedence over everything else, I just lost track both of time and perspective when it came to staying in good physical condition.

  A few weeks ago though, I stuck the end of a push-pole into the bottom of my favorite shoreline of powderhorn lake to push a 300-pound boat around for eight hours straight. I wouldn't say I was sore or in pain, but the subtle but present fatigue was a reminder that I may want to make a few changes to my lack of attention to a fitness training routine.

  Last year I purchased a nice barbell weight set for Jackson for Christmas, for his sports endeavors at school, that we set up in my man cave yesterday. He and I sat down and designed a resistance training routine and a cycling schedule for both of us that targets not only our angling related pursuits, but his other sports activities as well.

  Not a lot of folks consider a fitness training routine as an adjunct to their fishing, but I have always been conscious of the benefits of this. The difference is that for many years, my angling WAS part of my fitness routine. Back in the 90s and early 2000s I spent many MANY days wading miles of coastal flats, or kayaking the inland bays and rivers. But as marriage, fatherhood, and business ownership took precedence, the nature of may angling changed to something that bore less of a resemblance to a military maneuver, and morphed into a more gentile, sedentary practice.

  Now at 51, like Laird, I came to the realization that if I want to continue to have the kind of fun I want to have, I am going to have to change the path forward.

Hope you are all staying safe and healthy and ACTIVE!

Andy