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One Big Happy Family.
Saxat vilt från senast nr av Boards nya del Kiteboards. Skrivet av Christian Harris.
”One Big Happy Family.Seeing as this is a kiteboarding supplement for a windsurfing magazine, and that I enjoy both forms of punishment, it seems quite appropriate that I´ve been asked to pen my views on how puppet-boarders and pole-surfers can help each other out!
Rather than going deep into how to / what if scenarios and trying to dictate what people should or should not do, I reckon that tackling the issue surrounding sweeping generalisations might help us throw some light on the real deal of what passes as a pointless friction between water lovers.
For sure some windsurfers see kiting as taking the easy option as they struggle down to the water’s edge, burdened with kilos of kit, having already strained their back down-hauling that 12,5. Smiling wryly to themselves in the knowledge that they have spent years aspiring to the technical demands of an unquestionably difficult sport, windsurfers reserve the right to stare down their noses at this new breed of water-hogs. As they stand at airport check-ins, unfazed by the horrendous BA excess baggage cost which even paled their BT quarterly service charges into insignificance, they pity those of us who have surrendered to the dark side.
Kiters on the other hand gaze in bewilderment at the ancient art of windsurfing, much as children marvel at dinosaur bones on the annual school jolly to the Natural History Museum. As they skim their kites across the water’s surface some thirty metres away from them, they wonder why these prehistoric sportsmen and women give them such a wide birth. Occasionally prone to bouts of mild or severe aggression, kiters may become annoyed at the thoughtless little brat or fellow beach user who messes up the lines which they so delicately spread out on the entire beach. They may shout insults at the ignorant passer-by who does not understand how to land a kite. Perhaps this all stems from the obvious embarrassment of baring their neoprene-clad legs?
We have all heard the stories, yet would any of us readily admit to being guilty of any of the aforementioned crimes or attitudes.
During the Margarita Kite World Cup last year I watched two of the world’s better kiters jump on Ricardo Campello´s windsurfing kit and pull off a few respectable freestyle moves. Likewise, if you’ve had the chance you see Ricardo kite you will know that he would put many a respectable name to shame. Whatever your bag, go and enjoy it.
Personally I have relished being in the water since I was old enough to sink. Weather swimming in circles in a paddling pool, kiting or windsurfing, water is the element in which I blossom. On the water we are making the most of nature’s forces, fulfilling ourselves from the surroundings, respecting Mother Earth and hopefully each other. I’d like to think that no water user would think twice if they saw someone in trouble, surfer or yachty alike. Common sense should prevail. So if you are willing to help someone when they’re low on luck, why not enjoy the time you spend side by side. When all´s said and done, aren´t we all just one big happy family?
Christian Harris.”
//jörgen
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