July 5th: Challenging the Electric Foil (handleless)

“What will it be today? A handle, or will you challenge without one?”
To the instructor's question, I answered without hesitation.
“Without a handle, please!”
With that single utterance, a surge of determination swelled within me, surprising even myself.
Finally, the time had come to move on to the next stage.

However---.
Even though it was the same Electric Foil board, the moment the handle was removed,
it transformed into a completely different ride.
Where did all that confidence from last week go?
My body wouldn't move as I wanted.
Every time the board floated, I lost my balance and sank.
Floating then sinking, floating then sinking.
The sound of being slapped back by the sea surface told the story of today's difficulty.

Simply because there was no handle,
there was nothing to lean on,
no support, no axis, nothing to rely on.
Only my body's senses were reliable.
If my center of gravity were even slightly off,
the board would mercilessly tilt,
and I would be pulled into the cold sea.

Still, the desire to move forward didn't disappear.
I stood up countless times, challenged countless times.
Compared to the despair I felt during that towing experience, this was still a step forward.
Even when defeated by the waves, I felt as if I could see a light somewhere.

Towards the end of the lesson, for just a few seconds,
the board glided smoothly.
For that brief moment, I felt as if I had become one with the wind.
However, overall, it was a severe and tough time.
It ended not as I had hoped, leaving a slight regret.

Nevertheless---.
I want to believe that the act of challenging itself was today's harvest.
What I learned on the sea wasn't a technique, but 'my own immaturity'.
And that an unyielding spirit becomes one's wings.

Next time, even further.
I'll try to ride the wind more freely.