Island Free Press ...Places To Go And Things To Do

It was a warm day in mid-June at Lighthouse Beach. We were basking in the sun on a windless day, under umbrellas with refreshments on hand. My boyfriend's kids were surfing and loafing Hatteras vacation-style in the hot sand while my buddies, Susie Righter, Stephanie Kiker, Monica Jones, Linda Tolson, and I were discussing kiteboards, kites, kite skills, kite goals, the advantages of long and short lines, and, of course, our kite dreams -- kite color, beautiful kiting men, and harness style had some impact upon the conversation.

Later that evening, one of the kids recounted the conversation that he had overheard and how freaked out he was that these old women were “teching out” about kiteboarding. Of course, it's all relative -- our average age is about 50. He had not come across women kiters before, especially in our stage of life, when we are still exploring, participating, and, obviously, obsessing about such an extreme sport.

And we are remarkable. We are out there.

Let me tell you something about those of us who are over 40 years old and still into the sport.

First profile is “Princess Di,” alias Diane Horan. At age 55, she is still queen of the beach, simply because of her dedication to kiting and her generosity toward all who show up on our turf. She says, "Kiteboarding keeps me young and that's why I do it." She's the D in D Spot, the launch south of Kite Point between Avon and Buxton.

Diane will help you in any way she can. She offers excellent technical information and technique tips. She loves to teach and watch people progress. She also keeps us safe by letting newcomers in on the safety guidelines for this sometimes crowded kiting spot. This woman can follow a newbie miles upwind and then shoot downwind faster than an osprey. You may want to ask her about her towel invention for private clothing changes. It's ingenious. Anytime there's wind, Diane is there, and she keeps a log of days kited. This woman is beyond brave. Check her out in the AARP video that you can click on and watch at the end of this article.

Susie Righter is 62 and is making the fastest progress of us all. She began last spring and is already staying upwind and completing transitions. Her form is excellent. She is a natural. She credits Ty Luckett, as well as her friends and husband John, for her amazing progress. John calls her “my little flamer” for her boundless energy. Her blue eyes literally light up like neon as she goes into action. She does not let anything get in the way of her ride! This lady is sweet with a coating of strength that is incomparable.

"I took up kiting,” Susie says, “because I had been windsurfing for 30 years, and I spent too many days sitting alone on the beach waiting for the wind to come up that extra five knots so I could go out sail. Meanwhile, my husband and all my old windsurfing buddies were just up the beach, dancing like butterflies across the water and having a blast kiteboarding. They only sailboard if it is blowing 30 knots plus.”

She continues:

“When they changed the kites to a much safer configuration, I tried it. I went out with Ty Luckett, an extremely talented sailor, kiter, and an instructor whom I've admired for some 15 or so years. Our first day out with Ty, there was no wind, so Ty took Linda, Monica, and me out on his boat and introduced us to 'the wake-boarding on a pole rig' he has on his boat. The next time we went out we tried flying the kite and body dragging.

“We were hooked. I've never looked back. It is hard but always fun. All my friends who kite have been patient and very helpful with my efforts. We have a blast kiting together. It is a very free and exciting sport. There is nothing between you, the wind, and the water. There is never a dull moment around here with my kiting buddies around to keep me laughing and living life to the max.

Monica Jones, despite major crashes that were complete with fat lips and stitches, continues to take it on by body dragging and facing the demons of learning this sport.

“The first day I got body dragged,” says Monica, who is 50, “I told everyone, ‘Now that was really fun,’ and I realized that I could live here on Hatteras!"

She is determined to get out there and learn, yet she clearly knows when she has had enough.

Linda Tolson, who teaches second grade, is our sweetest person out there. Everybody loves Linda. She is up and riding, going both ways. She had back surgery last year, which has not slowed her down at all. She has nothing but positive energy for everybody. Currently she's scheming to retire early so that she can kite more. (Don't tell her employers.)

“I figured I was 56, so I better get on it and learn now,” says Linda. “And the sailboards were getting too heavy. I wanted my own thing 'cause my husband didn't kite, and when you’re out with your girlfriends… everyone is still cheering you on. We could go with our boys, but it's more fun with our girls!"

Stephanie Kiker, 42, an artist and entrepreneur, has found herself through kiteboarding. She tells us all that this has been the best summer that she has ever had. Her Cabrina Kites, red hair, light-blue jimmy, and picture-perfect back rolls mark her on the water (one-handed and doubles too!). She is always online, linking us and bringing new and wonderful people into our lives and having great parties.
"I've never had a sport become such an obsession like kiteboarding has for me,” says Stephanie. “It's a true addiction. It's never ‘I should go.’ It's always ‘I have to go.’ I love the freedom it gives me and at the same time love the excitement of pushing my limits. And with all that comes the great people involved in the sport."

If you need help, Stephanie's always there to quietly direct and encourage you. She is Ty's spotlight student. She puts a smile on everyone's face.

Then there's Sandie Walker, 46 and holding. This woman was out learning on blasting cold days, getting launched and re-launching her Cabrinas as they twisted and tangled and mashed. Her raw determination makes her most worthy of recognition as she rides now in all conditions and stays upwind to beat the band.

"I have always had the need to be in, on, or near the water," Sandie explains.

Watching her boyfriend kite inspired her to get out there and play hard. She always has the best pretzels and other assorted munchies. She loves kiting, and her obsession is relentless and contagious.

After “lots of lessons, equipment, and patience," she's now a confident kiter, ready to take on kiting vacations anywhere.

Many days, as you pass into the red building at Real Kiteboarding, you will encounter one of the most stoked kiting women of the bunch -- new mom but not to be deterred Linda Gardner. Hailing originally from Nantucket, she has her own successful business, Nantucket Skin Care Company, works at Real, and manages to be on the water every possible minute with baby in tow.

She raves about her new Boxer 12 (I have the same kite!) and she cruises with smiling finesse. She's a lovely person. Make sure you connect with her when you visit Real.

Linda accurately outlines the stoke.

"When I receive what I call my ‘kite pass’ from the love of my life and the father of our son Cooper,” she says, “the excitement starts building in anticipation that I will be kiting soon! Steve often takes care of Cooper while I head down to Kite Point for a session! After checking the wind and radar (I check the forecast constantly), I head south to K.P.

Sometimes the wind drops quickly,” she adds, “so there is no time for dilly-dallying. Upon arriving at the point, you will usually find everyone who has not been out kiting, scurrying around and trying to get rigged fast. Kiters who have already sessioned are most certainly mellowed out and are typically sitting around on tailgates or beach chairs. Chit-chat is usually saved for after.

“As I take my kite to the 12 o’clock position, all prior thoughts and mind clutter slip away, and I am one with the kite for at least an hour or two. I feel blissful as I glide through the water and look up occasionally at my beautiful kite that lifts me off the water now and again.”

I came to kiting a long time ago and am known for my slow learning curve. I probably have the most whiplashes known to kiteboarding kind. I jump, back roll (although not too pretty) and ride the ocean on a regular basis (you'll see my Cult Naishes). I literally have molded my life around my watersports, particularly kiting these days. I enjoy long downwinders anywhere for all and any reasons. I've taken lessons from everyone -- Real, Jay Crawford, Kiteboarding Hatteras (alias Ocean Air), and Ty Luckett. I've had help from everybody, and I've been high fear and entertainment to many folks watching from the beach. Currently, I'm heading toward 51. I kite to be free and to build my courage.

Woman who inspire us, who are younger than 40 or are not regulars to Kite Point and are absolutely killing it on the water, include, Lucy Nuzzo, Wendy Palmer, Nadia Roux, Morgan, Mary Hammond-Tooke, Cherie Waller, Kimmy Terry (our fearless learning to ride rider), Brittany Foreman, Enalee Vater, Anita Bills, Jenn Johnson, the woman of Real (who have women-only kiting camps), and all women wannabees.

Sherry Waller wants us to know that she is 50 and started kiting when she was 44. Although she's in the waves most of the time and at Kite Point, her ultimate lifetime experience so far was making eye contact with dolphins and whales while kiting in the ocean.

Most of us have windsurfing, surfing, boogie boarding, snowboarding, or wake boarding experience in our pasts. We love Hatteras.

Come out to Kite Point, talk to us about gear, lessons, the meaning of life, or just come out and watch. There's always a running commentary and lots of kooks kooking around to talk about. We welcome you all. The guys are here too, but sometimes we do out number the men.

And we're having a great time!

(Pam Bailey lives in Frisco, and when she isn’t kiting, she is working at her business, which includes massage therapy and yoga. You can reach her at pamlicobailey@earthlink.net.)

FOR MORE ON OLDER KITEBOARDERS

Michael Behar came to the Outer Banks to find out why older adventures are so crazy for the sport. To read his story in the January/February issue of AARP magazine and to see a video, click on: http://www.aarpmagazine.org/travel/kiteboarding.html

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