Comments on: Kite Surfing – Looks Like Fun But What About The Kids? http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/ Investing and Personal Finance Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:35:15 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bill Walseth http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-62276 Bill Walseth Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:57:34 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-62276 While I can't help with the child-care arrangements, I can help you find over 150 kiting spots here in Ontario, all overlaid with wind info, so you know when to ride. Kiting is very demanding on your time, and you need to know when to ride to get the most of your precious "me" time, when you can get it. Expect to pay $200o for gear initially, plus $500 in lessons. Most kiters in Ontario have at least 2 kites ($1,000 each) + board ($500), plus dry suits ($250), harness ($150). http://localkitespots.com/kitesurfing/Ontario You may consider snow kiting to start, less investment in equipment, and you can pull your kids in a sled for a never ending sleigh ride... Good luck. While I can’t help with the child-care arrangements, I can help you find over 150 kiting spots here in Ontario, all overlaid with wind info, so you know when to ride.

Kiting is very demanding on your time, and you need to know when to ride to get the most of your precious “me” time, when you can get it.

Expect to pay $200o for gear initially, plus $500 in lessons. Most kiters in Ontario have at least 2 kites ($1,000 each) + board ($500), plus dry suits ($250), harness ($150).

http://localkitespots.com/kitesurfing/Ontario

You may consider snow kiting to start, less investment in equipment, and you can pull your kids in a sled for a never ending sleigh ride…

Good luck.

]]> By: Mike http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-44642 Mike Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:37:24 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-44642 Shevy, I play hockey once a week so maybe I shouldn't complain too much. :) Shevy, I play hockey once a week so maybe I shouldn’t complain too much. :)

]]> By: Shevy http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-44641 Shevy Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:02:39 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-44641 How old? I'm 51 and my youngest is turning 7. I don't have a lot of interest in daredevil activities, but I did go white-water rafting before I got pregnant with her and loved it. I'd like to do it again once or twice a year, starting maybe next summer. And I want to go back to doing swords. I think Dear Child can start next year or the year after (she's interested; I wouldn't put her into it otherwise). As for what I do with her when I go out, my situation is that we all share a house with my eldest daughter and her family, so she just hangs out with her sister and brother-in-law and nieces. Or she does something with my Hubby. I've never liked going out much when I had a nursing baby or toddler but once they're preschool age I think one date night a week is good for a couple and one class or something per week each is fine. Besides, by then the kids usually want to do ballet or swimming or soccer or something. Why can't everyone have one thing they take part in? Assuming you can afford it, of course. I'm putting off the swords until the financial situation is better, though nothing on earth could convince my Hubby to drop playing hockey weekly for about half the year. How old? I’m 51 and my youngest is turning 7. I don’t have a lot of interest in daredevil activities, but I did go white-water rafting before I got pregnant with her and loved it. I’d like to do it again once or twice a year, starting maybe next summer.

And I want to go back to doing swords. I think Dear Child can start next year or the year after (she’s interested; I wouldn’t put her into it otherwise). As for what I do with her when I go out, my situation is that we all share a house with my eldest daughter and her family, so she just hangs out with her sister and brother-in-law and nieces. Or she does something with my Hubby.

I’ve never liked going out much when I had a nursing baby or toddler but once they’re preschool age I think one date night a week is good for a couple and one class or something per week each is fine. Besides, by then the kids usually want to do ballet or swimming or soccer or something. Why can’t everyone have one thing they take part in? Assuming you can afford it, of course. I’m putting off the swords until the financial situation is better, though nothing on earth could convince my Hubby to drop playing hockey weekly for about half the year.

]]> By: Mike http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-44595 Mike Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:20:12 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-44595 CC - yes, they do grow up fast. My big concern (which is a bit selfish I'll admit) is that I'm an "old" parent so by the time they are 10+ and more independent I might not be able to do some of the things I'd like to do. KenyaTykoon - Good point about the cost - I suspect the board/sailing/wetsuit might be a few bucks. CC – yes, they do grow up fast. My big concern (which is a bit selfish I’ll admit) is that I’m an “old” parent so by the time they are 10+ and more independent I might not be able to do some of the things I’d like to do.

KenyaTykoon – Good point about the cost – I suspect the board/sailing/wetsuit might be a few bucks.

]]> By: kenyantykoon http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-44532 kenyantykoon Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:20:17 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-44532 this seems to be unbelievably fun. it is a sport that i will definitely take up in the near future- along with bungee jumping and skydiving. I dont have kids but the problem is that i am a little pressed for cash- at least as at this particular moment this seems to be unbelievably fun. it is a sport that i will definitely take up in the near future- along with bungee jumping and skydiving. I dont have kids but the problem is that i am a little pressed for cash- at least as at this particular moment

]]> By: Canadian Capitalist http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-44520 Canadian Capitalist Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:36:10 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-44520 My weekends are spoken for. As Mike points out, my spouse looks after the kids during the workweek and I would consider it terribly unfair (not to mention, the guilt factor would prevent me from enjoying) to take off for some activity over the weekend. But then again, kids grow up so fast and in a few years, I can take all of them along to whatever "adventure" I'm planning. I don't think the loss of freedom is such a loss after all. My weekends are spoken for. As Mike points out, my spouse looks after the kids during the workweek and I would consider it terribly unfair (not to mention, the guilt factor would prevent me from enjoying) to take off for some activity over the weekend.

But then again, kids grow up so fast and in a few years, I can take all of them along to whatever “adventure” I’m planning. I don’t think the loss of freedom is such a loss after all.

]]> By: Four Pillars http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-44469 Four Pillars Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:44:52 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-44469 Guinness - that's a great idea. Ironically I might be going home sick today...because I am. Kathryn - I have two toddlers. I'm pretty sure they can't do kite surfing. :) Great idea about getting a group of people though. Alexandra - Lol - sounds like my life. We should hang out. :) I really enjoy spending time with my kids on the weekend but I just wish it didn't have to be the entire weekend. Guinness – that’s a great idea. Ironically I might be going home sick today…because I am.

Kathryn – I have two toddlers. I’m pretty sure they can’t do kite surfing. :) Great idea about getting a group of people though.

Alexandra – Lol – sounds like my life. We should hang out. :)

I really enjoy spending time with my kids on the weekend but I just wish it didn’t have to be the entire weekend.

]]> By: Alexandra http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-44463 Alexandra Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:28:18 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-44463 I have a two-year old, and my "fun" life is pretty much over. I guess that's the price you have to pay if you want visitors in the retirement home. And that's not even guaranteed ;-). In about five years we're going to be sending her to overnight camp, and then we'll start doing the things we used to do again. In the meantime it's pretty much toddler-oriented fun - all the time. When we can, we get a babysitter on Saturday nights and go out for dinner together. I have a two-year old, and my “fun” life is pretty much over. I guess that’s the price you have to pay if you want visitors in the retirement home. And that’s not even guaranteed ;-) .

In about five years we’re going to be sending her to overnight camp, and then we’ll start doing the things we used to do again. In the meantime it’s pretty much toddler-oriented fun – all the time.

When we can, we get a babysitter on Saturday nights and go out for dinner together.

]]> By: Kathryn http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-44453 Kathryn Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:55:47 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-44453 That looks like so much fun! How old are your kids? At what age can they start doing this? If it were me (mine are 9 & 11), I'd go with a group of friends and have the kids take pictures from the shore with one of the adults in the group. The adults could then take turns and the kids could record the event. It wouldn't work with toddlers though. Re: Your question - how do you do activities that don't involve the kids? We have a date night once a week. It's so worth it to spend some time together in kid-free activities to remind each other why we chose one another in the first place. :-) P.S. I love my Canon too. Ours is Rebel XT. That looks like so much fun!

How old are your kids? At what age can they start doing this?

If it were me (mine are 9 & 11), I’d go with a group of friends and have the kids take pictures from the shore with one of the adults in the group. The adults could then take turns and the kids could record the event. It wouldn’t work with toddlers though.

Re: Your question – how do you do activities that don’t involve the kids? We have a date night once a week. It’s so worth it to spend some time together in kid-free activities to remind each other why we chose one another in the first place. :-)

P.S. I love my Canon too. Ours is Rebel XT.

]]> By: guinness416 http://www.four-pillars.ca/2009/11/15/kite-surfing-looks-like-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-44428 guinness416 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:49:36 +0000 http://www.four-pillars.ca/?p=4581#comment-44428 The answer is clearly to call in sick and go kiteboarding on a weekday. Nice pics with a beautiful blue sky. We played tennis all weekend, and our photos look summery too, can't believe it! The answer is clearly to call in sick and go kiteboarding on a weekday.

Nice pics with a beautiful blue sky. We played tennis all weekend, and our photos look summery too, can’t believe it!

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