to live is to push boundaries, otherwise its just existence...
they dont have to be other peoples expectations, but surely every time you kite, you wanna be a bit better at it??? i sure as hell do...
its an interesting question SB, and one that at 46 i find myself asking more often.
i will let you know when i find the answer
bring on the monsoon
"strokes for folks" i guess
i operate a little differently. i always love to get out on the water, but am always wanting to push that little bit more/better/further than i have done before.
It keeps me motivated, and frothin for the next wave/gust/buttery flatness...
having said that... I think that part of the truly great thing about kiting is its wide appeal to many different types of peeps. our local crew are a classic example, ultra diverse, and all sharin the stoke!
Well most of you know my story now. Been in and out of physiotherapists, chiropractic, damn witch doctors on sorry that's the ortheopeadic surgeons office.
Difference this time is the ankle won't heal. Yet. One to two weeks nor ally settled down and off I went. Although I did miss a Bali surf trip and a grand final footy game along the way.
This time though it is different, and as I turn 40 in April, yep been asking these questions.
Infact it made me scale back from the VX kite to the lithuim, but the lithuim ( an awesome kite), was just too plug and play for me. Hence now the smooth edges.
So yeh it has affected my kite and board choice ( shinn monk for the ankles) and also the way I ride.
Just a fact for me, but this depends. It is how you are built. I stopped playing footy at 27, my bro stopped at 38, but he's built stocky and strong. I am more lean.
So genetics plays a big part I reckon.
But that being all said, if I need to chop this damn foot off and stick a prosthetic on so I can kite, I will!
...perhaps it is about learning new tricks every year vs enjoying the same tricks more every year...
...perhaps it is about adrenaline vs endorphins...
...perhaps it is about age vs maturity...
It's not age or the number of tricks..... It's about having fun.
Christ Brock once said when asked who's the best surfer said "the guy with the biggest grin."
Deano, 42 when i joined 4 years ago... fixed that now
you know that you're over the hill
when your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill
Little Feat
OR
if it's too windy, you're too old
me
It is a personal thing how hard you go, whether you want to learn more to do tricks and push boundaries etc . Back to the strapped /unstrapped , new style/ old style threads .
I have always liked learning any new thing which peaks my interest or due to necessity. Over 5 years - guitar , kiting , a new place to live , new occupation , new friends and various qualifications . ( not particularly good at any ) Each of these can be broken down to adding new tricks to each skill . I can only learn new tricks within each skill at a certain pace .
Kiting with T One am blown away by the energy he puts into it. No bloody holes barred but I think its still calculated within the boundaries of physical capacity .
My approach is lower key - I enjoy flowing moves which don't impact too much on a 51 year body which has copped a pounding from a physical occupation over 30 years. The moves are becoming stonger and better executed as I go .I prefer waves and sb as you get the added adreneline against flat water if you are not into flicky tricks .
And ain't it great watching the groms copping a flogging , then listening to them having a shot at us oldies cause we can't whatever they think they can do and to celebrate with others as they advance their various skills .
It's the vibe of the thing too
Age vs skill
If you look at most sports you hit your prime from 25 to 35. Beyond that, your physical capabilities diminish. The more physical the sport, the closer you have to be to 25.
The age versus skill for kiting is clouded for two reasons:
1. the majority of current kiters have taken up the sport past their physical prime, and only a few of them learnt kiting as teenagers
2. kiting equipment has improved significantly over the years. so kiters have improved their skill level because of the better equipment
I took up kiting post my physical prime - at age 40, 7 years ago. Yes, I am a better kiter now at 47 yo than 41 yo, and probably better than I was at age 46 yo.
I love kiting, flat water, surf, light wind and learning new tricks. However, I am sure if I was 25 yo, and I had been kiting for 10 years on 2012 gear, I would be a better kiter.
So for me, at age 47, I am still improving skill wise.
But I reckon most future kiting champs will be in the age of mid 20's - beyond that their performance will diminish.
So to answer the thread topic, I say 25 yo.
it's all about the adrenaline rush. I used to get it from kite loops now I get it in surf.
Eppo you should have got some reo's instead of the edges and push your limits in the surf. Even better do it strapless and look after your bung ankle. That being said I will probably be taking the twin tip out over Xmas until something gives way.
i was the only one doing american style whoops yesterday doing jumps you could bearly fit a cigarette paper under my board. Even with my torn abbs and dodgy knees.
Well going off Kelly it looks as though you're past it when you reach 40.
Now I reckon 80% of the Seabreeze population are over that, soooo....
