It finally happened. Its been put off for over a week due to too harsh and too calm conditions, but yesterday was perfect. Luke and I finally got to go kitesurfing. Sortof.
Actually, we got to take a kitesurfing lesson, but now we know how to do it. We were supposed to have the lesson on the beach right by our house, but the guy who gave us lessons said that he thought conditions were much better at a place called Caves Beach. Only when we looked it up did we realize that it was an hour and a half by bus, but we barely gave that a thought since we were so excited about learning to kitesurf.
We got to the beach a little early, so we decided to eat at a really small restaurant that basically serves burgers and fries, pretty common around here at the beaches, but we were definitely surprised when we order a large fry to share between the three of us (Devin came along as well.) and it was like 12 potatoes worth of fries. If you dont believe me, just check out the pictures. It was crazy.
We then met the dude on the beach, who was only a few years older than us, and we began the lesson. We had to wear these harnesses really tight around our bellies, which made us instantly regret all those fries we just ate, but we soon forgot about it. We worked through everything that we would ever need to know if we were going to do this ourselves. Inflating the kite, attaching the lines, reading the wind direction, launching and landing, and basic kite maneuvers. Toward the end of the lesson, we actually got to get in the water to let the kite pull us along. We weren’t able to use the boards yesterday, but we let the kite pull us along in the water on our bellies, which was really fun.
Two and a half hours later, we finished the lesson and the guy (his name was B0) gave us certified Kiteboarding Cards. So cool. So then we decided to explore this beach a bit more considering it was a perfect day and the beach was enticingly called ‘Caves Beach’. After a short, halfmile walk down the beach, we came to some cliffs where lots of people were playing with their children. When we got closer, we realized that the rocks that have landed in the water around the cliffs edge have created hundreds of little tide pools that are just deep enough for little children to play in. We continued to follow the bottom of the cliffs around and the water gradually got deeper and deeper, until it was chest high. We found some more caves, probably about ten or so, and some of them went far into the mountain, and others went through the cliffs and came out in the ocean, so most of the cave was flooded. We decided to venture through pretty much all of the caves, although the one that had waves coming in was a little intense.
When we arrived on the other side, there were a bunch of larger rocks in the water, probably 15 feet up in the air, and we decided they would be cool places to snorkel around. To our surprise, there we so many cool things under the water there. The tides, over time, had carved a deep underwater passageway between two of the rocks that were close together. The cavern was a little more than three feet wide and probably 15-20 feet deep. It was so cool diving down and taking pictures between the rocks, and if you timed it right, you could get pushed along in either direction depending on whether the wave was coming in or crashing on the rocks and coming back out. Using this method, you could go back and forth in the passageway without hardly having to swim.
And there was one more place that was really cool. I dont really know how to describe it except as a giant toilet. The way these rocks were set up, you could stand in the middle and a single wave would come in from two directions, swirl you around, and carry you out the back. We stayed there for almost an hour it was so much fun.
On our way back, we came back through a cave and there were a whole bunch of people on the shore near the rocks dressed up taking pictures. And then we realized what was going on, they were taking wedding pictures. The bridge, groom, bridesmaids, and groomsmen were all lined up in the water taking pictures. It was awesome.
We eventually got back on the bus and headed home. Luke and I almost immediately fell asleep we were so tired, and barely woke up in time to get off the bus. What a crazy day.
4 Comments
Sam, Sam, Sam…..
What are you doing in those caves???? I know you think it is fun but it looks so dangerous to me. Maybe you should stick with kite surfing. That looks much safer! And you attended a wedding, huh? I don’t know about getting out in the ocean in a wedding dress…..
You are doing a great job with your blog. It is so much fun to read but sometimes the picture you paint is too vivid for your old mom! Of course, Dad and John would be right there with you!
Call me. I want to hear your voice! Hope classes are going well. Tell Luke and Devin hey.
Love ya – Mom
you guys looks like you’re on Survivor Newcastle..haha
Sam it does indeed sound amazing in the caves. great job with the blog. It was well worth the trip and they sound like my kind of caves. As long as you can see daylight on the other side you’re OK. The children don’t know it but they are immensely blessed to have a natural made swimming pool at the beach. To be able to enjoy something like that puts them in pretty elite company as far as nature is concerned and enjoying the outdoors. Thanks for keeping us up to snuff with all of your stuff. We are praying for you daily. Love, Dad
Hi, Sam. The things you are doing. . .it’s crazy. Wish your cousins could be with you.
Seth turns 18 tomorrow! And, as a fun fact, whenever it’s Seth’s birthday, that means it’s Big Bird’s birthday too.
Keep havin’ fun for us stuck in the states.
And remember, look both ways before jumping off large rugged cliffs.
love, Aunt Jackie