First time on the ocean?

[hooked]

I grew up with boats but we boated on fresh water. I remember us taking the boat (can't remember what it was other than we normally used it on a lake) to go fishing in the ocean off the coast of Maine. I was not very old - maybe 10ish? Well, let me tell you that going on the ocean with that size boat did absolutely nothing good for my young stomach! We were out there for hours and all I did was retch over the side. My parents were not the type to return to shore for that as they figured my stomach would "get used to it" - wrong! I didn't go out on the ocean again until I was 18. That's when I found out what a difference it makes when you use a bigger boat! Now I love it but I still would not go out with a small boat.

[Humber]

My first experience on the ocean was going across from the mainland to Newfoundland on the ferry. I managed well, but it was still a pretty rough trip and one of the people I was traveling with was seasick. I love the ocean, but I wouldn't want to go out far on a small boat either. Remember those scenes in the movie The Perfect Storm?

[flyfish]

I get a little car sick if I'm riding for too long. I can't imagine how sick I would get if I were out to sea. When I watch the Deadlist Catch program that alone about makes me sick. Well, I'm glad to hear you handle it better now since you love it.

[got_fish03]

I'm not sea sick and I love to ride in a ferry rather than in a small boat because I have a phobia riding there, I don't know why. Maybe I've seen too much scary movies that are water-related (Jaws, Jaws II, Deep Rising, etc.). I'm also car sick when there's a heavy traffic while the vehicle kept moving.

[HighTide]

My first time on the open ocean was this past November when I went to the British Virgin Islands and met up with friends there- 1 week on the boat... We'd get off to check places out, but all our meals were on there, we'd sleep on there... and the first few nights it was CHOPPY! Three days. I was told it takes about 3 days to get over it. I was so sick it wasn't even funny- and we were doing serious sailing! That was the main point of the trip, getting in good sailing time, learning more about it. Nothing like trying to hoist the main, or run the jib sheets when you think you're going to be sick on deck! Thankfully, in the middle of the 3rd day, when I was considering chopping off my own head (Just kidding!), a friend of mine decided she didn't need her acupressure wrist bands anymore, and gave them to me. I started to feel better. At one point I told my buddy the Captain... "You know, I don't care if the cure's all in my head- or if it is acupressure... it's working!" Those things hurt though, and I was left with a couple of bruises on my wrists, but it didn't matter- it was worth it. Funny thing? For WEEKS after, I would wake up feeling like I was back on the boat on rough water, feeling like I was laying on the catamaran's trampoline, about to be flung out of my bed! To the point where it would make me sea sick on solid ground! I was wishing I hadn't given the wrist bands back to my friend- I had no idea I'd still get motion sick while laying still!

[hooked]

I have never sailed but I have heard that the motion is quite different. I also have never heard of the acupressure wrist bands you mention - interesting idea although I can't see the sense of how they'd work.

[Humber]

Originally Posted by HighTide Funny thing? For WEEKS after, I would wake up feeling like I was back on the boat on rough water, feeling like I was laying on the catamaran's trampoline, about to be flung out of my bed! To the point where it would make me sea sick on solid ground! I was wishing I hadn't given the wrist bands back to my friend- I had no idea I'd still get motion sick while laying still! I've heard of that concept, but I'm surprised that it lasted that long and was that severe. I wonder what the theory is behind the success of those wrist bands?

[hooked]

That time when I was a kid was the only time I've been seasick and I didn't experience any lasting effects like what you describe. Of course, we were only out there for one day (maybe 7-8 hours?) and not several nights.

[Humber]

I wonder if kids are less likely to get severely seasick? I think with some things they're more resilient. And I wonder if a person's first experience on the water tends to set the tone for later excursions. I think part of the problem could be anticipating a problem.