Although always ready to learn a new language and enrich my word repertoire,

Little did I know it would be because of a sport where the equipment has a canopy and a handlebar

A sport with descriptors of wind direction from the safe ‘side on shore’ and ‘side shore’ to the risky ‘side off shore’,

A sport where one has to beware of wind with dangerous attributes like ‘on shore’ and ‘gusty winter north side shore’ to the ‘north side on shore’ – oh yes there’s more!

There are also the perilous winds like ‘off shore’ & ‘side off shore’ that could blow one out to sea

Nautical miles aka knots used to measure wind speed for a sporting activity that is oh so sea bound and beachy

Unique lingo like the wind window, it’s edge, the zenith, medium, strong and maximum power zones now locked safely away in my mind’s vault,

With colloquialisms like upwind, downwind, leading edge, trailing edge all of which has my brain doing somersaults

There is vocabulary such as struts, wing tips, bridles, canopy, back lines and front lines

And curious information about tying knots from lark’s head and pig tail which to remember is a good sign

In theory the expert’s advice is to relax when steering and controlling power using fingers lightly on the bar

Sheeting in and out, sweet spot, back stall, overpowered, underpowered, trim strap, chicken loops all very mind boggling terminology for moi

So as I progressively familiarize myself with a whole new glossary of terms like de-powering and ‘Hindenburging’

Let’s hope it bodes well for an upcoming introduction to the seemingly exhilarating world of – wait for it… KITE SURFING!!!

Below is a link to an article on the pros of kitesurfing as a sport for women

https://www.ikointl.com/blog/why-kitesurfing-ideal-sport-women