Editor’s notebook

Danette Goulet

I just can’t help myself.

Some people can’t resist sweets, for others it’s coffee or booze. Some

can’t say no to a pretty girl or darling child.

For me, I can’t resist the pull of a challenge.

I’ve been called an adrenaline junky in the past. While I’m not quite

sure I’d go that far, I do like to try new things and take a walk on the

wild side now and again.

I’ve been cliff diving, bungee jumping and sky diving. I’ve tried

twice to go hang gliding, but was foiled by a lack of wind. I’ve been

known to snow and water ski, I’ve been hot air ballooning, have tried

windsurfing a few times and have been learning to surf this year. I plan

to take up snowboarding this winter -- I tried it once years ago and

loved it.

So what’s my new challenge? Why, our cover story this week -- kite

surfing.

When I first saw the colorful sails begin to appear against the

evening sky at the north end of Bolsa Chica State Beach on my daily drive

home last spring, I wondered what was at the other end.

I found the answer one day when I headed down to the beach in hopes of

an evening surf session. It was all wind chop with no surfable waves to

speak of, but I caught my first glimpse of kite surfing up close. I was

awed. I sat on the beach for awhile watching -- bummed that the surf was

blown out, but fascinated by what I saw.

After that it served as a beacon to me -- when the kites are up the

surf is gone. But I was still intrigued and thought, like myself, there

were probably others out there who would like to learn more about it. So

I decided a story was in order.

The first group I talked to likened getting dragged behind a kite to

falling on water skis and not letting go of the towrope -- ouch. They

made comments about how “it can be pretty dangerous” and “you have to be

willing to take your licks.” And I thought, you know what, skip it. I’ll

stick to surfing.

Then I went down to a shop on Pacific Coast Highway, where they sold

these contraptions -- Kites Etc. -- and spoke to Steve Kent. Kent and I

chatted about the sport while shop patrons strolled in and out asking him

about equipment and how to get started.

The enthusiasm was contagious.

As I began to head out he dropped the bomb.

“Why don’t you give it a try? We’ll set you up with lessons.”

The challenge had been issued -- I couldn’t back down.

I turned around and said, “Count me in.”

And so I embark on my latest adventure. Stay tuned.

* DANETTE GOULET is the assistant city editor. She can be reached at

(714) 965-7170 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .