...well for kiting.
Herein is a plea and an admonishment to fellow kiters. Despite my best efforts over the years to protect myself from the hazards of the sun I was diagnosed, one year ago now, with stage 4 melanoma. First line of treatment went well for 9 months but then the melanoma became resistant and progressed; to the brain unfortunately. That being so, I lost my driving privileges.
It has been a ****ty last 3 months of feeling...well, ****ty, exacerbated by not being able to drive myself to go kiting the odd time I have felt well enough. However, I'm very happy to say the immunotherapy I'm on is working and all metastasies are now shrinking as evidenced by recent scans. Unfortunately they can't reinstate my driving privileges until perhaps the next scan in 3 months shows either disappearance, continued shrinkage or at least stabilisation of existing brain mets (there were only 3 and they are all very small now).
So I'm stuck living in Bondi with the summer cycle of NE's and Southerlies coming on with no wheels. I generally used to surf-kite Cronulla/Wanda both for the NE's and Southerlies and kiteboard Kurnell if it's low tide (for the little flat water you get between the groins at least). And sometimes even day trips to central coast - picnic point/canton/Bellmont etc. In fact, I'll kite anywhere if it's either surf or flat water. I've just never found any pleasure in slop and chop the likes of which you get in Botany Bay.
So, here's the plea: Are there any kiters in the Bondi area willing to give a guy a lift to Cronulla/Kurnell anytime they are headed that way? Or to anywhere else of course that's non slop/chop. Happy to pay for petrol. Oh, and don't worry, I'm perfectly normal in every way with control over all my mental and physical faculties. Which means, no, I won't drone on like a lunatic in your passenger seat or drool into my lap and I am just as content to engage in erudite conversation as sit quietly.
And the admonishment obviously: Please always wear your sunscreen and protection. Especially if you're still young. And more especially, if you have kids, never never let them burn. It's the sun damage you get when you're young that's gonna get you later on.
Thanks.
Good luck with that - both the treatment, and finding a ride!
Not sure about the distances you have to cover, but you looked into electric bikes? Ive have had my licence taken off me for medical things on and off over the last 5 years, and found some pretty nice custom jobs out there that cover some long distances, and get up to about 50/ 60 kph.
Could be a go if you could throw some board racks on the side.
I had a custom bike place that were willing to build me a surf bike and cater to all my requirements, unfortunately, got on some new meds and haven't had to got for the electric option....... yet
Hey edhead
I can't believe more people haven't offered you a lift, but maybe I can help, my sister in law is battling brain cancer, and as an active person not being able to do what you love is like being imprisoned, so I would be happy to help you get out on the water.
I'll be honest I am fairly new to kite surfing and prefer getting out with friends, but with life and family getting in the way it doesn't happen as often as I'd like. So having another person to fly with might increase my chances of getting out more this season.
If you are still looking for a lift let me know the best way to contact you, and I will be happy to let you know when I/we are heading out, I live in Cammeray but occasionally pick a friend up from Coogee when he is available, so dropping by Bondi would be no problem, and I have been keen to go an check out Kurnell but haven't made it yet.
Either way good luck with everything
Thanks for your replies guys. I did also post in the 'General' section and got a couple of replies from people who live in the area which has worked out great already. Unfortunately too great a distance fro electric bike and kiting but am looking into them for just getting around locally.
Cheers,
Ed.
