By Grant

The wind is a funny thing. When you want it, it’s nowhere to be found. When you don’t it comes as a ferocious force. That’s the life at sea. The wind is both our friend and our foe. 

But lately I’ve found a way to truly enjoy it more and more. The cure has been kitesurfing. And I’ve found myself searching out the wind more and more. To find that beautiful solitude place where it’s just you, your kite, your board and the wind. Time seems to stop and you are in your own thoughts. No devices, no internet, no kids, no boat problems and even no wife even though this one is not that important. It’s just a beautiful serene place you find yourself skipping along the chop of the sea and pushing yourself harder, faster, higher (this is still very much work in progress with some epic falls). When the wind really picks up and you are alone on the ocean it can feel scary and wild. But these feelings of survival are also the adrenaline which drives our excitement. 

Then there are the moments the wind is a little less strong and you head out with your foil board and try not to kill yourself but when all is great you are floating or even just flying above the sea. Hard to really explain this feeling but i think I’ve found my perfect escape from the world and it’s awful place it’s in. Life on the sea is truly unique and beautiful but even more fun when you are having fun doing sport. Probably the greatest miss I have is playing golf, squash, cricket, touch rugby and tennis with friends. The competitive energy still is strong in me but I guess my biggest competition these days is myself. All those thoughts rattling around make for a cacophony of noise which needs a tonic to quieten it all down. Thank you wind. Thank you kitesurfing. 

PS. I will have lots of real competition soon because Arabella is doing awesome kitesurfing herself.