Paul Stokes' Corner

It's cold up here in the North and many of us are off the water for four to six months.  An early spring trip to Florida is sure inviting.  What is your recommendations on how to get physically ready for the rigors of ski school since we aren't able to get on the water here first?

I recommend coming to Texas instead of Florida. A nice three day weekend beats missing a five day work week anytime.  If you do a five day week in Florida, I recommend skiing five half-days even if you are in great skiing shape. Take the afternoons to relax and see the sites.  I feel you will get as much if not more out of it this way. Three full days is the most I would do in a row.

Some of the exercises I do to prepare for spring foot’n:

Dry land practice - Put a handle on door knob or something and do some tricks even the tricks you can’t do on the water. It’s a blast. Good form builds good muscle memory.

Wall seats - Watch your favorite sitcom leaning against the wall with a 90 degree bend in your knees. Take a break during commercials.

One legged squats - Get on a step and do squats standing on one leg. You can lift the free leg in front of you or behind you to simulate forward and backward one foots. Make sure you keep a good upper body posture. 3 sets of 15.

Lunges - No weights, just put your hands on your waist and step forward with one leg and dip until the knee of the other leg touches the floor. Rotate legs. Make sure you keep a good upper body posture.  3 sets of 20.

Stokeman OUT!

Check out more cool stories from Paul in our Stories From the Road Section.  If you would like to email Paul, his email is paulstokes@fluid-distribution.com.