I was initially surprised that to move this enormous kite you didn't need to pull the bar as hard as possible. But, instead you just needed to lightly push the bar and as a result the kite would dip in whichever direction you liked. I was also suprised at how quickly we progressed that after only an hour and a half that we were trying to stand up on the board.
I was intrigued by all the aspects of kite surfing. We did a few basic exercises, but we still need to learn things like wind speed, apparent wind, and wind direction. There are also different board and kite maneuvers such as riding downwind, upwind, in high and low wind conditions, turning, and jumping, that we haven't even learned yet.
There was nothing in particularly boring about being harnesses to a 12 meter kite that you need to keep in control at all times. But, the whole aspect of making the 30 trek to the beach wasn't exhilarating.
Well my first observations actually were observing an Residential Advisor, but i found kite surfing to be much more physically strenuous and exciting at times. Both subcultures have different positives and negatives, but i chose kite surfing because it's so in depth and intricate I will always have things to learn and write about.

Last Friday I took my first kitesurfing lesson at Key Biscayne with my friend Derrick. When we arrived it was sunny, 85 degrees, and windy, we couldn’t have asked for a better day. When we found our instructor he already had the kite flying in the air and asked us to walk 50 yards into the water. As we walked out we got a firsthand glimpse of a few experienced kite surfers getting airs and riding. The instructor first explained to use the dangers of the kite surfing and how powerful the kite can be. He told us that if the kite is directly above you head (at 12:00) you will only generating a little lift and this will be your safe zone. He then explained how we need to handle the kite lightly and push on the bar instead of pulling. So after Derrick tried it was my turn, I was hooked into this huge kite and practiced slowly bringing it down to each side. After I was confident with the kite I got on my knees and practiced dipping the kite from 12(directly above you) to 1 (slightly to the right). When I did this I could instantly feel the power of the kite which pulled me easily up to my feet. Water dragging was the next exercise we practiced; while on our knees we would quickly dip the kit to 3 then bring it back up to 12. When I dove the kite it dragged me 30 feet in the water until I brought it back up to twelve. After only an hour and a half of lessons the instructor though we were ready to try and get up on the board. This consisted of the same motion of diving the kite and bringing it back up to 12, but now you had to get up on the board at the same time. I would be able to stand up for a second or two, but I would lose power quickly and fall back down. One of the times I accidentally dived the kite when I was falling and was immediately pulled 3 feet into the air for a few seconds. After two hours we called it day and packed up I had plenty of scrapes and bruises, but I’m looking forward to my next kitesurfing lesson.

For my first observation I would be shadowing residential advisor A.K. Bennett as he made rounds throughout Commons East, and worked a shift at the desk. I chose to shadow a residential advisor because I'm very interested in applying for the position, and would like to find out exactly what it entails. A.K. explained to me how residential advisors are responsible for not only the safety of the students, but also the building as well. We walked down the hallway on each floor to make sure all the doors were closed, no one was playing music to loud, no one was defacing nova property, and to make sure all the students were safe. A.K. explained how major problems rarely happen, and that most of the calls are room lockouts or noise disturbances. I also learned that before the first semester starts you spend two weeks in training learning safety procedures and the correct responses to emergency situations. A.K. also said if hired housing and res life will place you in a certain building based on your personality. For example, those who are particularly outgoing are sent to Goodwin to excite the freshman. After making the rounds we went to the front desk where one or two residential advisors was placed to monitor the computer. A.K. explained how one residential advisor is on call at all times even throughout the night. The position of RA seems like it carries a lot of responsibility, but the rewards are great as well.

Welcome to my blog,

My name is Steven Sabik and I'm from Hamilton New Jersey. I'm a freshman currently enrolled in the dual admission program for finance. In my spare time I like to work my car, go to the beach, and lift at the gym. When thinking about what subculture I wanted to research bodybuilders, kite surfers, and residential advisors stood out in my mind. Unable to choose one as they all have adverse advantages I will be examining all three topics before making my choice.