The Only Variable Which Matters After 40 For Your Kitesurfing

[Dave_5280]

[edt]

This is way too Zen for me. I am already inside my body how can I be more inside? If what you said is true you need to switch sports to golf. There are millions of people that want this secret so they can fix their slice. You would become a hero.

[Hugh2]

couldn't watch that

[longwhitecloud]

After 40 it is most important to win a debate on Kiteforum!

[vakiter]

you totally wrong longwhitey.!!!!!!?@!?!@?@!!@@


that host had one episode with an airush guy who talked a lot about kite design. it was really good, but i cant find it anymore.
this is maybe good advice, but doesnt need more than 20s.

[downunder]

You won.

[FLandOBX]

Okay, I watched the video in full, and I have several relatively strong reactions.

First, achieving "flow" is, indeed, an important goal in mastering any sport. But Sam totally misses the mark on how one achieves "flow". One can only achieve "flow" when the technical aspects of the sport have become so second nature that one can "forget" them and simply do it. When Sam says that he just tells his students to watch a good kitesurfer perform, and then says "just do that", I wonder what his liability insurer thinks about his video. If you tell a new kitesurfer to just "do that" without teaching them about the wind window, wind direction, how a four line bar works, how to control the kite, etc., someone is going to get hurt. "Flow" follows (and can only follow) technical expertise.

Second, why is this video titled "The Only Variable that matters after 40...."? What does age have to do with achieving "flow"??? I've taught kiteboarding to a lot of young people who were operating too much "in their heads", i.e., totally overthinking everything. Conversely, I've taught a lot of older kiteboarders who had the ability to relax, be in the moment, and just enjoy the experience. It has nothing to do with age.

Third, and finally, achieving a state of "flow" is important, but to say it's the "only" variable that matters is an overstatement and a terrible over-generalization. The most important variable to improvement in kiteboarding is highly specific for each individual. For some, the most important variable is losing 30 pounds and getting in shape. For others, it's getting over the fear of getting hurt. So, "flow" is a nice goal to have, but it's hardly the only important variable.

Sam, thanks for the video. You've offered some interesting ideas, but kiteboarding (any sport) isn't as simple as just going out and doing it without thinking.

[PullStrings]

after 40 knots

[andylc]

Man that was too boring! No comment on what he was trying to say, I didn't last long enough to be able to tell...

[edt]

Sam figured out a secret way to fix your golf slice get perfect scores on your SAT and bake the best tiramasu cake. Flow! Ok I saved you the time for watching the video.