The alarm clock tolls the waking hour

The alarm clock tolls the waking hour. Must exert energy to leave the comfort of the warm, dry bed while the sun is still sleeping. Racing around I walk the dogs, who decide to sniff each blade of grass in turn, feed the cats, who want to play pet fur games, make lunch for the kids and snack for myself and buddies, grab my bag and rush to the car for the thirty five minute ride from my mountain abode to the sea shore. The sun is starting to peak in the east. When I arrive I am greeted by others who have already gone out and returned.

It is a kayak morning and what a glorious morning it will be. As late arrivals we sort through some cold, wet deck skirts to find the one with the right fit. Next is the selection of the life preservers, equally cold and wet. For one brief moment I think of that cozy bed left behind at 5 AM. We each grab a paddle and assist one another to get the kayaks to the water's edge. After some stretching exercises and we are off. The quiet is thrilling. The sun is at the right height to give the beach an early morning creamy glow. Some suicidal fish are riding the water surface. This is the way a Terra Santa morning begins. We paddle along greeting swimmers, divers and surfers along the route.

Terra Santa, the holy land… quite an odd name for a kayak club. But we are a club and share a certain camaraderie. We go out in a pack and accompany each other at their individual pace; some faster, some slower, some more graceful, some more awkward but as a cluster, a group. The harmony of the group stems from the club's staff.

They are the experts who compel us to go the limit and get pleasure from it all. It could be cold and it could be rough and definitely wet but exuberant.
I am just sixty, very new to the sport and have a lot to thank the club staff and members for: Rottem and Omar for giving me the confidence; Seggi for trying to get me to do the stroke correctly; Kobi for teaching me to read the water's rhythm; Nir for teaching me to ride the waves from west to east; Hanan for teaching me right foot from left when edging; Tal for teaching me how to steer straight; Karel for giving me a weather corner; and all the members who never leave be behind and alone!

Sarah