How kitesurfing dreams come true ... The exploration, Part 3

by Emilie Marx
(Part 3/3)

I started spending as much time as I could with the selected captains, on boats, working on the most efficient techniques.
Changing tool was challenging (one time on a catamaran, the next on a motor boat) but also very exciting.

I was trying new things and I was having fun.

I had just changed all my work set up (as I told you, I was in an experimental phase: it applied to everything) and was spending most of my days, if not in the water, on the water (working on boats).
I’m not too sure how that happened exactly but I eventually ended up on the Captain Oliver’s Regatta press boat, improvised cameraman.

The first day of the race went by beautifully, with a light breeze and I was enjoying my duty.
The second day made me face an issue though: the wind was way ridable…..
It was surely better for a Regatta, but I had just found my mojo back and I was itching.

Taking decisions is sometimes unbearable for me: I hate having to choose.
Sometimes, the only compromise then is not to…

I decided to join in the Regatta with my own sail and film it that way.
I had no idea what this could possibly turn into visually, wasn’t even sure any of my shooting could be usable but I was keen on trying.

I had never ridden in the middle of racing boats, I was very unsure of what the wind could possibly decide to do, and I had never held a video camera while riding before….

The result?
It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done kiting!

It was an awesome experience, by all means.
I was able to get to shot the sailing boats from very special angles, the contact with the sailors was unique, much more lively than from the press boat; I was cruising along, my kite slaloming between the masts, it was technical, challenging and deliciously exciting.

To add to the thrill of the experience, the result came out much better than I could ever have expected and added a very special touch to the final short movie.

Filming while riding suddenly became my new thing.

I was used to taking pictures while riding, and had taken the habit of saving a “boring” session by taking my toy along (that or the waterproof ipod!).
Having a video camera suddenly took the concept to a new level though: moving pictures from moving me, it was totally different than taking photos.

Now imagine my excitement when I found out there were baby lemon sharks in the lagoon from which I launch…
I went out right away, equipped with my camera, hoping to get some shots.

Now I have to say that what happened next perfectly fits in the “wombat moment” category…

But as it matches my next issue –an outstanding demonstration of all the stupidest things one can do while kiting- I’m afraid you gonna have to wait a couple of weeks to find out what happened when I went to film the sharks that day…

Look forward to it: it will reveal more about the making of “Kitesurfari Sxm” while bringing you a similar delight to watching crash videos.
;)

To be continued…

Em

Special thanks to Didier Rouxel for his great photos of the Captain Oliver’s Regatta.

Go back to Emilie's journal to read other of her adventures