Rev’s Reflection September 2024

I thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics; the opening ceremony was sadly a little waterlogged, but the closing ceremony ensured that Paris handed over to Los Angeles in style through Tom Cruise launching himself into the stadium and heading off on a motorbike. All things considered, there were some great events to watch; the swimming, diving, gymnastics and track events are favourites of mine, but this time I was also particularly taken with a new addition to the Olympics, kiteboarding. It involves a surfboard which has a foil underneath, and with the aid of the kite held by the boarder, speeds of up to 45 mph can be achieved. I hadn’t seen this sport before, and it was mesmerizing.

I can remember a day’s course I went on to learn how to windsurf, not on the sea I might add, no thank you, but on a lake. I was very nervous and wept feebly most of the way there protesting that I was ‘too nervous’, ‘I don’t really want to do this’ or ‘the sail will hold my head under water if I fall in’ …. my lovely patient husband reassured me that all would be well and that if I didn’t pull myself together it wouldn’t be the sail that held my head under the water!! Charming…

Anyway, the morning was spent practicing on dry land on a windsurf board fixed onto a pivot ‘thing’ that allowed the board to move in all directions. We learned how to raise the sail, to catch the wind and step around the sail when needed. Then came the biggest challenge, putting on the wet suit! A good layer of talcum powder ensured that the wetsuit slid on smoothly, lifejackets were clipped in place, and we were ready to have a go on the water. It was so much fun and yes, I did fall in and yes, the sail did come down on top of my head, but it didn’t hold my head under, it was light and easy to move. What wasn’t as easy was getting back on the board, this manoeuvre was additionally hindered by far too much laughter.

We were promised that if we couldn’t windsurf by the end of the day then we could have another day free. This wasn’t necessary because as the afternoon drew to its close, Nic and I were able to windsurf parallel to one another, it was perfect and after a very doubtful beginning, I ended the day feeling so proud of us both.

This was over 35 years ago, and I haven’t been on a board since, but I did learn that ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ and to seize opportunities. Sometimes perhaps we should try being brave enough to step out of our comfort zone, put negative feelings and obstacles to one side and be prepared to have a go, raise our sails, catch the wind and get carried along towards new horizons.

I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed my experience and by how much I laughed, especially when it took a good half hour getting out of that wetsuit!

Rev Julie.                                                                                                     ‘I am about to do a new thing’ Isaiah 43:19