Due to the lack of wind we had still two important parts of our IKO AITC missing – the last teaching/observing session and riding skills check. We we’re so eager to finish our course and get it over with, because we had gone through so much trouble to find babysitters for our children to get those 5 days off.
Luckily the forecast for the coming week was good, even too good to be true. All channels predicted that starting from Wednesday there’s a minor storm coming… and they were right! Kristiin asked us to meet in Püünsi for the final sessions – teaching for Triin and observing for Anne-Mai.
The storm hit us already at night with heavy rain and strong wind. The wind was even so strong that you could hear it while sleeping. Waking up in the morning wasn’t any better – things had been flying around in the yard, sunflowers broken, branches of trees everywhere. Is this really the best weather for teaching?
The weather in Püünsi was the same – around 15m/s wind (gusts even more). We were laughing at ourselves that this is going to be real fun! As our smallest kites are 9m2 we usually don’t go on water with wind more than 12m/s. Stronger than this, we usually start loaning gear from our friends. Fortunately Kristiin was very prepared and optimistic – she had a 5m2 kite for us and a student waiting. The aim was to finish basic 2, meaning teach the student to bodydrag.
Our student Robin was very excited about the weather, because his last session ended sooner due to the lack of wind. This time 100% different – even too much wind. But hey, this is the life of a surfer… And golden rule is to be happy when you have wind 😉
We set the gear ready and headed off to the water. Triin launched the kite, started walking away from the shore and remind Robin what we did last time. As the wind was so strong even completely depowered 5m2 kite was pulling Triin like a mad one. Anne-Mai offered her help but Triin decided that there is no need. And there wasn’t … She bit struggled to get upwind but after showing some muscle power, we were at a safe distance. Triin quickly checked with Robin how much he remembered about flying the kite and passed the kite to him. A bit of eights up in the air, kite clock, landing and re-launching. Robin did extremely well which allowed us to introduce and demonstrate upwind bodydraging. A few samples and kite back to Robin. As Triin was now downwind of him, it was only possible to communicate with signs. At one point Triin cursed herself for not knowing how to properly whistle to get Robin’s attention when he was too busy to check his kite and not the signs Triin was giving. Maybe we should set this as our next goal? 😛
When Robin was feeling comfortable with upwind bodydraging, it was time to try downwind bodydraging. Once again Triin explained and demonstrated what to do. Unfortunately the wind was so strong already that the kite was really overpowered for her and she had real difficulties walking back upwind. Anne-Mai as an observer helped her to walk upwind by pulling from the harness’s handle. We both laughed and started imagining ourselves teaching like a really big fellow – OMG how do the small kitegirls do it?? We are so sure that this is probably one of the reason why Kristiin is doing Crossfit!! 🙂
When we were able to talk with Kristiin, she explained that as the wind was too much for Triin, we should keep the kite on Robin as much as possible as for him it is okay. Point taken! Robin got the kite and started bodydraging downwind and walking back upwind. We were so proud of him when he started trimming the kite himself during his bodydrags – adding a bit power when bodydraging and depowering when walking back. High five for that! After a while he also tried downwind bodydraging to 10 and 2 o’clock with one had. Natural talent!
Although Robin probably would have wanted to stay longer in the water, after 1,5h the lesson was over and we headed back to the shore. Robin was very excited about the action and eager to continue with the basic 3 – waterstart.
After the session Triin felt that the most difficult part about teaching is still doubting herself if she does the right thing. Even on water we had a situation where Anne-Mai encouraged Triin to feel more self-assured as everything was running smoothly despite the heavy wind. But as Kristiin said – confidence comes with experience and Triin did really good! We were so happy that we had passed the practical teaching!
Part of earning the Assistant Instructor license is also a riding skills assessment. Luckily we were able to meet the requirements. Although there are still some things to practice to get a better hold of them, i.e. our jumping with grab.
We ended the day in Püünsi with great feelings, because this was it! We were officially Assistant Instructors! Can you believe it? A random thought from April actually became a reality! Gosh, how happy and proud we were!
Where to next? We know – Instructors it is!
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