Mother Nature's Therapy Session

Isn't this amazing. Two days ago I was searching the Internet for more information on SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) to unravel the mysterious connection between the change in weather and my mood swings. For a couple of days now it has been raining on and off, and although this is basically what is to be expected for the Western Cape this time of the year, the thought of having to survive another three months of winter is pulling me down into the deepests dephts of depression. I'm trying to establish if it is the actual weather that works in on my general well-being, or if its secondary effect might be responsible. Could it be the fact that bad weather just means no outdoor activities and that this leads to a dull unexciting life which silently kills me? I think I might have to do more research on SAD because my earlier self-diagnosis of possible manic depression didn't go down well with my wife and friends. They think I'm crazy, whatever they mean by that. Seasonal Affective Disorder might be closer to the truth I think.

I once read that a person's life is over when the only reason he or she gets up in the morning is to have a wee. I have asked myself that question many times. Why do I get up in the morning? I guess in my case the answer changes along with the changes in weather conditions. When the weather is cold and wet like it has been for the last couple of days then it was definitely just to go wee. Of course I need to work as well to support my family and get up because of that, so maybe I should rephrase that question and ask what makes me feel alive instead of what's making me get up. I don't think it is sunny weather per se, but the ability to spend time outdoors would probably be closer to the right answer. Cape Town has miserable weather this time of the year, but fortunately when it's not raining then the sunny windless days are just amazing. Then I feel fine. Perfect outdoor weather for most outdoor activities, except kitesurfing of course. In winter most kitesurfers either migrate to the northern hemisphere or they pack away their kiting gear and take out whatever else they prefer to do in either rainy or windless weather. Today however Mother Nature was very kind to us. She threw in a free therapy session when everybody was needing it but no-one was expecting it. And when Mother Nature gives you a bonus session you better make good use of it.

It was about 4:30 when I reached Kite Beach this afternoon. I packed in both kites just in case, but as expected my smaller Nomad 7 was the obvious choice. There were already a few guys in the water, so I wasted no time in getting the  kite rigged up and getting into my wetsuit. It was a cloudless day, except for the familiar cloud formation on top of Table Mountain which is nature's reliable indicator that the southeastern is blowing. The wind was chilly, but the water temperature was surprizingly warm. It is a fact that the water on the Atlantic side is usually warmer in winter than in summer. This is caused by upwelling, but that if for your geography teacher to explain. The sea was a bit choppy, but nothing serious. At 20 knots I knew that I would be touching the water only here and there. I don't know when last I actually were in the water, but kitesurfing is like riding bicycle. For some reason you can get on and ride again no matter when last you've been on a bicycle. I was yet again very pleased with myself for adding the Nomad to my toy collection a few months earlier. If I didn't have a smaller kite today, I probably would've been typing my suicide note right.

It was only after my kite session while taking some pictures on the beach when I realized that my spirits are back where it was a few months ago when I couldn't find enough time to do everything I love doing. And the best part of it is the fact that it was still windy and cold outside, definitely not the summer weather I believed to be the main ingredient for a raised spirit. I thought about my SAD concerns and realized that the weather might not be the activator of my mood swings after all, but rather the inability to do the things I love. The things that keep me alive is not weather driven, it's adrenalin driven. When the constant wind was dragging me down a few years ago I took up kite surfing and now I actually wait for the wind to blow. I might want to look into something that can be done when it is cold and wet outside. Unfortunately it does not get cold enough in this beautiful country of ours to take up snowboarding. I am sure that would've rid me of the winter blues as well. At least tonight I know that I can feel good when it's winter too, I just need something exciting to do to give me that much needed lift.  Mother Nature did not only provide me with a reason to feel good tonight, she also provided me with an answer to my SAD question. Maybe my life is not so "SAD" after all.

Cabrinha Nomad Review - the first kiss

Taking the Cabrinha Nomad out into the water for the first time is like taking a first date out to the movies for the first time. You have your trousers full of plans for this girl, but you know you have to pace yourself otherwise you might end up with a slap in the face and a wrecked reputation.....

When I stopped at the beach this afternoon it was after 5 with a brisk wind (20 knots) blowing. I already had my "number 10 girl" pumped up on the beach when I realized that the wind was getting stronger and that I might be overpowered. This was the perfect opportunity to try out my new girl. When you take a girl out for the first time, you have to be very careful though. The only way you progress from base to base is by testing the water continuously and deciding how far you can push without allowing yourself to get a kick between the legs. What you do not want to do is to push too hard and end up with a swollen face and a popcorn box on your head. The Nomad was no different, or so I thought at first. I hooked her up to my old lines and bar (which was already lying on the beach from my first rig-up). Sometimes when dating a new girl it is good to use some tested pick-up lines, and knowing that my old "lines" worked well on the other girl I didn't hesitate using them on my new girl as well. When the lights go down, you have to start implementing your plan of action. You don't go for the fourth base immediately, she can respond very violently and hurt you real bad. There is no "home run" on a first date either. Slowly you feel your way down until you get hold of her hand. Watch her reaction. Plan your next move based on the feedback you get from her. Do not overstep the line unless she takes the initiative and gives you some sort of indication that it is safe to proceed. Once you are comfortable knowing what you can do and how far you can go, the rest of the night belongs to you...

So this was the approach with my Nomad; take her out and see how far she would allow me to go, no pressure. If I have to put my new girl on the Promiscuity Sliding Scale of 1 to 10 where "1" represent "Conservative deluxe", then sadly I have to admit that my Nomad girl turned out to be a "10". "Slut delux"! She absolutely showed no shame or remorse for her actions. She literally grabbed me by the balls and said:" What are you waiting for cowboy, let's ride!" I still tried to show some respect like my mom tried to teach me me years ago, but she wouldn't take no for an answer and showed no respect in return. She took me out into the deep blue waters with no restrictions and no strings attached. I barely managed to hang on in the first couple of minutes, but after a while of sussing her out I was prepared for all her tricks. I caught up with waves from behind and ripped them to shreds. I cleared three waves simultaneously with one jump. I turned around in split seconds to smash approaching waves before they could smash me. I was having the best time any guy could have on a first date. My Nomad was showing me moves that I thought only happened on movie screens, not in movie theatres. Only once did she manage to catch me by surprize and make me lose rhythm, but pretty soon I was in control again, pulling the right strings one after the other and getting the rhythm back. Man, she was so responsive I could steer her with a feather. I reached third and fourth base long before the popcorn box was half-way empty. We had an awesome time in the water...90 minutes of sheer joy. My new Nomad is one sexy and willing woman. She definitely made a man out of me today. I am already daydreaming about our next date....

2011 Cabrinha Nomad

OK, so for those who has not heard the good news, I have just bought a new smaller kite for stronger wind conditions. I took my broken spreader bar in for replacement and walked out not only with a new spreader bar, but also with a new black-&-blue 2011 7m Cabrinha Nomad kite. OK, it only happened the next day after I got permission from our household's "Minister of Finance", but it was quick decision nevertheless. I got it at such a bargain price that I could not say no, so now I have two kites, a 10m Cabrinha Switchblade for lighter conditions and a 7m Nomad for stronger conditions. This mean that I can double my "water time" and not have to sit out while the other guys are having fun in stronger conditions. More time in the water also means faster progression. I am still very far from doing kiteloops and whatever the good guys call all those fancy tricks, but I have already reached a point where I know that having two kites would not only give me more water time as mentioned, but a smaller kite will give me better manoeuvrability and ability to learn new tricks. The Cabrinha Nomad is a very fast kite with a quick turning ability and apparently perfect for wave riding. I mean, what more do I need? The only problem now is that we are fast reaching the end of the kiting season and approaching a long windless winter with frontal rain and darkness after 5pm. This does not give me much time to start practicing the coolest kite surfing move I have ever seen, and no, it is not the "nuclear grab hook and pop" or the insane "psycho kiteloop", it is a tail sliding technique called "The Darkslide". It just looks so cool, I am sure it will wow the crowds on the beach (after I've equally entertained them with a couple of hard crashes and salt enemas). So, my goal for next year is to perfect this trick. All I need now is more time in the water, lots of optimism and a photographer to capture this move once I have perfected it....