Well, it’s happened again. I’ve decided to embark upon a new adventure sport that will inevitably cost me money, time, and some damage to myself during the learning curve. So you’ve heard me talk about the fact that I want to be a surfer but don’t like getting the crap kicked out of me as I use all my energy to inadequately paddle out beyond the break. Well, thanks to Mother Nature (and I have to assume others like me), I don’t have to worry about paddling anymore. I’m going to make an attempt (for better or worse) at becoming a kite surfer.
That’s right, I’m going to become a kite surfer (maybe). I plan to attach a massive sheet of material to my body by 80 foot long cords, let the wind pull on it with gobs of force while standing on a version of a surf board, and hope that I don’t get skipped across the water like a rag doll. How could any of this be a bad idea?
I’ve seen plenty of kite surfers in my day on various trips to the coasts but never really thought much about it. Then, this summer, while on a vacation at the beach, I met a few guys that were kiting around and that’s when I began to realize just how much fun it could be and how easily they moved around in the water, not just making shuttle runs. Granted, these were seasoned veterans of the sport but still, it seemed to be just the ticket I needed to get me out of the spin cycle and actually surf (kind of).
At a recent New Year’s Eve party, I was talking with a friend who is an experienced kite surfer and has even made his own board. He gave me a few tips on the gear I would need to get started. Then, a few days later, he sent me some interweb links to trainer kites that would help me learn to fly and get comfortable on the kite without dropping a pile of money or ripping my arms from my body or slamming me into the side of a building.
So last week I ordered a three meter kite that should arrive sometime in the coming week. I’m both excited and apprehensive about this but either way I think it will be a barrel of fun. Of course in the near future I might also be looking on the interweb for some additional medical insurance.
That’s right, I’m going to become a kite surfer (maybe). I plan to attach a massive sheet of material to my body by 80 foot long cords, let the wind pull on it with gobs of force while standing on a version of a surf board, and hope that I don’t get skipped across the water like a rag doll. How could any of this be a bad idea?
I’ve seen plenty of kite surfers in my day on various trips to the coasts but never really thought much about it. Then, this summer, while on a vacation at the beach, I met a few guys that were kiting around and that’s when I began to realize just how much fun it could be and how easily they moved around in the water, not just making shuttle runs. Granted, these were seasoned veterans of the sport but still, it seemed to be just the ticket I needed to get me out of the spin cycle and actually surf (kind of).
At a recent New Year’s Eve party, I was talking with a friend who is an experienced kite surfer and has even made his own board. He gave me a few tips on the gear I would need to get started. Then, a few days later, he sent me some interweb links to trainer kites that would help me learn to fly and get comfortable on the kite without dropping a pile of money or ripping my arms from my body or slamming me into the side of a building.
So last week I ordered a three meter kite that should arrive sometime in the coming week. I’m both excited and apprehensive about this but either way I think it will be a barrel of fun. Of course in the near future I might also be looking on the interweb for some additional medical insurance.
Posts
2 comments:
Ok, okay... but did you buy one of these yet?
I have the camera but not the kite mount, yet.
Post a Comment