The following is an extract from Prodigy, whereby former Olympic Windsurfing Champion Svein Rasmussen provides Words of Wisdom as to how Extreme Sports can upwardly influence both IQ and EQ.
‘Words of Wisdom'
Participation in sports is known to create a better physique, helping promote a long and healthy life. But the mental development benefits of certain sports can potentially be of far greater importance. Sports where the individual encounters nature, technology and challenges from others, are the ones that stimulate IQ development the most.
A stand out example is windsurfing. First lessons feature the air or wind, where it comes from, how it works, and the best ways we can turn it into instant energy through sports' technology. Lessons in meteorology are turned into on-the-spot relevance where we can directly relate to the movements of clouds and create our own weather predictions. Next is the water, and how to interact with the ocean and the movements of waves and currents. Then we learn how to balance the body in choppy waters and turn the waves into lasting slopes that one can glide down with minimum effort and maximum output - basically using the wild forces of water and turning it into energy.
To make the equipment work at its optimum capacity, one needs to select the best possible components in relation to each other, and match them with prevailing weather conditions. Next is to trim that equipment to obtain maximum performance. This is a fun way to touch on the physics of foils, flex curves, pressure centres and to balance the integration of the human body in combination with nature and technology.
Before events the participants first check out conditions, then select the best equipment before trimming it for maximum performance. Next step is on the course, where the wind and waves are assessed to attempt to predict what will happen over the next few hours and where to be on the starting line when the horn blows. This is when tactical skills come into play. It's like chess on water, with the windsurfers gunning for the most favoured position on the starting line, the end result being down to the timing of each sailor.
Only one sailor will get the perfect start at the right spot, at full speed and with as few others close by. One sail can cover the wind of another, and the sails reflect turbulence to contestants sitting closer to the wind. It's all down to the different angles the sailors create between each other, and it makes a tremendous difference.
On the course it's important to decide when to tack. It could be due to a change in wind direction, a stronger current, other sailors covering the wind, a difference in wind strength, or if one is getting close to the rounding mark. The sailor must consider all the factors and then make a decision within seconds.
To make a good decision the sailor must constantly update himself with the most current data, then execute the next move with extreme precision. The feedback concerning the decision is normally received less than minutes after, so the learning curve is extremely high. Suddenly, we have kids that are captains of their own ships, making their own well considered and calculated decisions.
Sometimes they need to go into conflict with others when a rule is allegedly transgressed or a complaint lodged. Like lawyers in a court action, logical and reasoned arguments need to be made. This is when intellectual skills verbally presented, are required. They may also have to endeavour to amend or stretch the rules of the game.
It's like life itself in miniature, where one patiently learns to take the rights steps. There are no short cuts, but lots of ways to enhance and improve one's performance. The rules, tools, conditions and participants are ever changing, and one learns to peacefully interact and compete. And most important of all, one learns to lose gracefully.
But others have seen more, and say that kids who windsurf ‘see the horizon' in every sense, and the very fact that they are focused on horizons and wide expanses, makes them more ‘visionary' in life. They don't see so many obstacles or barriers in achieving goals, and are prepared to look a little further than that which is in their close proximity. Many people say that kids involved in extreme sports - and particularly lone sports such as windurfing - seem more adventurous, self-sufficient, have more understanding of others, and good karma.
If ever an extreme sport challenged the individual as it provided fun and deep satisfaction whilst maximising and developing initiative, courage, character, plus intellectual and physical skills, I believe windsurfing is it.
Svein Rasmussen. December 2005.
http://www.start-windsurfing.com/
http://www.windsurfing-academy.com/
http://www.star-board.com/
Extreme Sports – Useful Addresses
Windsurfing, Sailboarding, Kite Boarding.
http://www.start-windsurfing.com/
http://www.windsurfing-academy.com/
http://www.star-board.com/
Svein Rasmussen, a world champion windsurfer and pioneer of the sport, now leads the world in schools to teach windsurfing to kids and adults alike. Star-Board, his company, designs and manufactures state-of-the-art boards.
British Water Ski Federation (BWSF)
http://www.britishwaterski.org.uk/
Governing body for water skiing in the UK.
British Surfing Association (BSA)
http://www.britsurf.co.uk/
Governing body for surfing in the UK.
Dangerous Sports Club (DSC)
www.billfryer.com/dsc/
Arranging, participating and investigating new and unusual activities and sports which are dangerous or apparently so. Bungee jumping, medieval weapon construction and more.
Amateur Fencing Society
http://www.irishfencing.net/
Governing Body for Fencing in the UK.
Dawn Duellists’ Society (DDS)
http://www.hadesign.co.uk/
Revival of historically accurate swordplay from C1300-1900; to research teaching and practise of duelling techniques.
British Hangliding & Paragliding Association (BHPA)
http://www.bhpa.co.uk/
Control and development of the sport of hangliding and paragliding.
British Bobsleigh Association (BBA)
http://www.bobteamgb.org/
To promote British bob sleighing.
National Association of Karate & Martial Arts Schools
http://www.nakmas.org.uk/
To promote karate and the martial arts.
British Cyclo-Cross Association (BCCA)
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/
To promote off road cycling races for all age groups.
British Amateur Weightlifting Association (BAWLA)
http://www.weights.demon.co.uk/
Supervises and controls all aspects of weight lifting.
British Basketball Federation (BBF)
http://www.british-basketball.co.uk/
UK Federation of national basketball associations.
Ice Hockey UK
http://www.icehockeyuk.co.uk/
Governing body for the sport of ice hockey in the UK.
British Horse Society
http://www.bhs.org.uk/
Promote the welfare, care and use of the horse and pony.
Amateur Swimming Association (ASA)
http://www.britishswimming.org/
To promote, train and practise swimming, diving and water polo.
British Trampoline Federation (BTF)
http://www.trampoline.co.uk/
Promotion of the sport of trampolining.
National Association of Swimming Clubs for the Handicapped
http://www.patient.co.uk/
To promote swimming for the disabled.
Ramblers Association (RA)
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/
To promote rambling; to protect rights of way; to campaign for better access to open country.
Young Explorers Trust (YET)
http://www.theyet.org/
To increase opportunities for young people to take part in exploratory discovery and challenging adventures.