Soul Session
Glancing out my window the trees were dancing as if being pulled around by an invisible string, every flag within sight was straight out and flapping so hard that it looked as if it was about to be ripped off the pole. Rounding a bend I glance up at the highway sign lit up with the words "high wind warning on bridge, use caution." At the sight of this my pulse heightened and my adrenaline began to start through my veins. Soon the water was in sight, whitecaps as far as I could see everywhere on the Bay.
Pulling into the lot I noticed I was the only one there, no matter, just would make it easier to run out my lines. Gearing up in the parking lot I felt the wind whipping around me, it seemed to be daring me to challenge it on such a chilly day. I start down the path and immediately began to feel more like an arctic explorer than a mere kiteboarder. The wind was charging down the path with a ferocity that lent one to think that perhaps it was warning me, telling me to stay away on such a day. Head down, chin tucked in, I continued onward until the water was in sight.
What a glorious sight it was, thousands of whitecaps, the wind whipping the sand on the beach into small whirlwinds. Standing on the beach feeling the sand pelt my face, the spray attack my eyes, and the chill already starting to make its way into my suit, I couldn't help but think how perfect it was. This is what I love about the sport, going out on days that most people would never think about getting in the water. We have all been there, we have all done this, and the feeling that one gets is something that can only be shared with those who have felt it. I pull my seven meter out of the bag. Rigging up the sand pelts my face like sandpaper, and the chill in the air mandates taking several breaks to put on gloves and regain feeling in my fingers. Taking advantage of the low tide and the large beach, the launch is easy for once.
Finally I am out on the water. The scene is surreal, sun reflecting off the water, spray off the waves looking like millions of diamonds falling into the sea, the bridge in all its glory, and the deserted nature of the beach. Gliding over the waves, feeling the pull of the kite on my arms and waist, taking in the beauty of the sea around me, again I can't help but think, this is perfect. The desolation only adds to the affect. I feel as if I am one with the wind, one with the water, one with the waves. The perfect harmony created by the powerful forces around me creates an atmosphere that so few will ever know, but those that do know can never get enough.
Bouncing through the waves my mind is racing. I take in the scene, the feelings, the cold, and suddenly I realize I am singing. Come on Eileen is being sung at full volume, this confuses me as I can not even remember the last time I heard the song, and I do not even like it very much. But at this point I don't care, it seems to fit for some reason. Glancing upwind I see the line of a gust coming fast towards me. Suddenly the adrenaline starts pumping hard, the kite pulls hard, I edge upwind, send the kite, feel the yank and suddenly all is quiet. Upward I fly, smiling like its the best feeling in the world, because it is. The silence descends on me in all its power, adding to the moment. Taking the time to glance around I think again how lucky we few are to know what this feeling is, the feeling of flying and surfing and gliding and power all at the same time. Moments later I touch down and the sounds of the waves again assail my ears.
On and on I ride, cruising, jumping, fighting the gusts, and living.... truly living. A few hours later I realize that my hands have become completely numb and that it has reached that unfortunate moment where I must leave this wonderful place and re-enter the normal world. Heading into shore I feel part disappointment and part excitement, but mostly grateful to nature for allowing me to share with it and experience it in such a way.
Shortly after I am driving back over the Bay Bridge, hot chocolate in my hand, Beach Boys blaring at full volume, my body exhausted. Thinking back on the session I realize that it was one of those few we have that is unforgettable. The combination of wind, waves, the natural beauty of the sea, and the complete desolation of the beach all lend itself to the feeling. The feeling cannot be put into words, it is something we all know and have experienced, but that we find so hard to explain to those who have never felt the pull of a kite or the desolation of an empty winter beach. The closest that would come to describing it would be to say that it was the perfect Soul Session.
-Pog Mo Thoin
Pulling into the lot I noticed I was the only one there, no matter, just would make it easier to run out my lines. Gearing up in the parking lot I felt the wind whipping around me, it seemed to be daring me to challenge it on such a chilly day. I start down the path and immediately began to feel more like an arctic explorer than a mere kiteboarder. The wind was charging down the path with a ferocity that lent one to think that perhaps it was warning me, telling me to stay away on such a day. Head down, chin tucked in, I continued onward until the water was in sight.
What a glorious sight it was, thousands of whitecaps, the wind whipping the sand on the beach into small whirlwinds. Standing on the beach feeling the sand pelt my face, the spray attack my eyes, and the chill already starting to make its way into my suit, I couldn't help but think how perfect it was. This is what I love about the sport, going out on days that most people would never think about getting in the water. We have all been there, we have all done this, and the feeling that one gets is something that can only be shared with those who have felt it. I pull my seven meter out of the bag. Rigging up the sand pelts my face like sandpaper, and the chill in the air mandates taking several breaks to put on gloves and regain feeling in my fingers. Taking advantage of the low tide and the large beach, the launch is easy for once.
Finally I am out on the water. The scene is surreal, sun reflecting off the water, spray off the waves looking like millions of diamonds falling into the sea, the bridge in all its glory, and the deserted nature of the beach. Gliding over the waves, feeling the pull of the kite on my arms and waist, taking in the beauty of the sea around me, again I can't help but think, this is perfect. The desolation only adds to the affect. I feel as if I am one with the wind, one with the water, one with the waves. The perfect harmony created by the powerful forces around me creates an atmosphere that so few will ever know, but those that do know can never get enough.
Bouncing through the waves my mind is racing. I take in the scene, the feelings, the cold, and suddenly I realize I am singing. Come on Eileen is being sung at full volume, this confuses me as I can not even remember the last time I heard the song, and I do not even like it very much. But at this point I don't care, it seems to fit for some reason. Glancing upwind I see the line of a gust coming fast towards me. Suddenly the adrenaline starts pumping hard, the kite pulls hard, I edge upwind, send the kite, feel the yank and suddenly all is quiet. Upward I fly, smiling like its the best feeling in the world, because it is. The silence descends on me in all its power, adding to the moment. Taking the time to glance around I think again how lucky we few are to know what this feeling is, the feeling of flying and surfing and gliding and power all at the same time. Moments later I touch down and the sounds of the waves again assail my ears.
On and on I ride, cruising, jumping, fighting the gusts, and living.... truly living. A few hours later I realize that my hands have become completely numb and that it has reached that unfortunate moment where I must leave this wonderful place and re-enter the normal world. Heading into shore I feel part disappointment and part excitement, but mostly grateful to nature for allowing me to share with it and experience it in such a way.
Shortly after I am driving back over the Bay Bridge, hot chocolate in my hand, Beach Boys blaring at full volume, my body exhausted. Thinking back on the session I realize that it was one of those few we have that is unforgettable. The combination of wind, waves, the natural beauty of the sea, and the complete desolation of the beach all lend itself to the feeling. The feeling cannot be put into words, it is something we all know and have experienced, but that we find so hard to explain to those who have never felt the pull of a kite or the desolation of an empty winter beach. The closest that would come to describing it would be to say that it was the perfect Soul Session.
-Pog Mo Thoin