Back to New York
So I finally got up and riding!!! I was so thrilled when I got on the board and ride on the water. My new intructor, Chris, was just as excited as I was. However, that excitement was short-lived. I rode goofy that one day, but the next two days the wind was just not cooperating. I didn't get to go into the water again after that owesome ride. On the way to Norfolk airport, I stopped by Chris' school and said goodbye. The wind was cranking. Oh well. Chris was real sweet, he said that he thought about me this morning and actually contemplated stopping by to wake me up to go kiting. Anyhow, I know now that I can ride and I plan on making this my new found love!
Last Day of Camp "Evolution"
So today I have accomplished the first part of my goal quite quickly. The weather was beautiful this morning, but since the water was still cold, we still had to put on the freaking wetsuit, I hate that stuff. In the morning, I was up on the board using a 13 m kite due to the light wind and I rode! Only for a very short distance though. I was in totall bliss. I thought, now I know how to get up on the board, I just need to work on my kite. Of course, I was wrong again.
In the afternoon, the wind picked up, so we went out on a 9m kite, which is something that was more suitable for my body/weight. I was a disaster. Not only was I not successful in getting on the board, I had to relaunch the kite a few times. During one relaunch, I had my hands placed unevenly on the bar, so after I got the kite back up into the air, it started looping! The kite was out of my control, so I let go. It took my coach, Andy (who is totally hot but got a serious kiter girlfriend), about 10-15 min with the help with another coach to detangle the lines. I felt so bad. When I got back on again, I still couldnt ride. When the kite went down again, the session ended. I was so mad at myself. I felt incompetent. Especially knowing that there's no availability this week for kiteboarding lessons, I am even more upset that I did not reach my goal and that the camp ended for me on a bad note.
I hope someone cancels b/c I really dont wanna be stuck in the house doing absolutely nothing even though every inch of my body is aching right now.
I've gotta be tough.
Oh, and I need a bearhug. Anyone? Anyone?
Real Kiteboarding (Day 2)
I left NYC early on 5/12 and flew down to Norfolk, North Carolina (or is it Virginia?). Anyway, the flight was only an hour and 10 minutes, and the car ride here was 2 hours long. I thought "damn, this is a big place". Being trapped in New York City, one can easily forget what land looks like (instead of streets). I got here late afternoon and just chilled, met a few people. Then I found out that I really needed a car. Again, as a New Yorker, I mistakenly assumed that everthing is around the kiteboarding school. As it turned out, it's impossible to walk to even the smallest grocery store. So an instructor was nice enough to take me grocery shopping, and I got enough food for the week (but at this time, I am quickly depleting my resources, so I think may have to make another run).
The first day of kiteboarding was hard. The wind was gusty, which was great for kiteboarding, except that I have already forgotten all my kite skills. I had trouble getting on the board. The temperature was in teh 50s so it was freezing to be out there, especially when I was waiting on the jetski.
Today the weather was awesome (in terms of temperature) it was in the 70s, but we've got no wind in the morning, so we practice a little board skills doing wakeboarding. I had trouble getting up because after all, some arm strength is required. But I finally got it and had a really nice ride behind the jetski, I learned what edging is all about.
In the afternoon, we went over the tech stuff while waiting for the wind to pick up. We got out there and I used a 13m kite due to the light wind. I was much more comfortable with thekite today, I was able to feel comfortable to let go of one hand, and I learned to get into my board pretty quickly. However, I still haven't really ridden yet. I would get the water start and go back down into the water. I was exhausted. But everthing is coming together, and the other student who I am taking the lesson with, Trish (who can ride already), complemented that I was a quick learner. It was definitely comforting to know that I am doing something right.
My goal for tomorrow (the last day of camp) is to get comfortable with the water start and hopefully get some short rides!!!
Ouch, I am all bruised up.
