On my way home from work this afternoon I stopped at Neale Park (again) to take advantage of the beautiful, smooth, warm nor-wester that was flowing in off the sea. Out on The Haven it was tearing the tops of the ripples that were attempting to become waves.
During the hour and a half I spent ripping around the park, seat-belted into the buggy, while flinging my little kite all over the sky, I had a 'moment of clarity'. I had a sudden understanding of just what it is about kite bugging that has such a primitive appeal.
I've often thought it's the simplicity of the sport that attracted me to it. The fact that there is no engine, no fuel, no noise... and no brakes; but that's not exactly it. Then there's the speed. You hear race car drivers talk of it all the time; the addictive nature of speed makes the danger acceptable and keeps them coming back for more. But that's still not it.
It is something to do with teamwork. I know, there are no teams in kite bugging; so maybe partnership is a better word. A partnership with Mother Nature, God, a higher power, whatever you want to call it. It is not an attempt to conquer or tame nature; that would be fruitless, and just when you thought you were winning, you'd lose. Ask any surfer who's just been pounded by a big wave, or a kayaker who's just run a big rapid, and they'll tell you every time, mother nature makes the rules...
You've got to be on the same side. When I'm going as fast as I want to across a wide open field or beach, and with a flick of one wrist I throw the kite into a down-turn, back toward the center of the wind, just a split second before throwing my upper body weight to one side and turning the buggy full-lock the same way, throwing it into a power-slide that ends with me facing the kite, just in time for the kite to reach the center of the wind and grab full power again, snapping the lines taut and rocketing me away in the opposite direction.... there's a feeling. A feeling like I'm not the only one having fun. Like I've just reached out and high-fived something much bigger than me.
8:43:02 PM 
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