A Closer Look

Some trips and their allocated memories have a chronological timeline that outlines events as they happen and builds a foundation of comfortability that strengthens with time and familiarity. With renowned photographer Andre Magarao, we traveled through both the mountains and valleys of Argentina, becoming acquainted with views I never anticipated would manifest as the backdrop or foreground for kiteboarding. For those who have never been face-to-face with the enormity of the Andes Mountains, they are truly a distinct and dramatic visual. Unlike mountains many of us are formally accustomed to, whose characteristics are often exclusively limited to size, the Andes boast not only unparalleled stature but also dramatic contours of foreboding intricacy. Even amidst the heat of the summer, the extremity of this monstrous range that reaches out, touching the sky, remains enveloped in snow. During the transition of winter to summer in the southern hemisphere, the snow that escapes below the frozen plateau tumbles down rivers and empties into the depressions below, filling lakes with melted ice crystals of pristine clarity. The snow and glacial runoff were so pure that we could see depths from the surface only similarly found in artificial pools or Caribbean seas. This water resting below the Andes was of sterile perfection, and on numerous occasions, Noè would plunge below the surface and indulge in a hefty gulp of glacial melt.

One of the many rewards of kiteboarding is the innate connectivity between its pursuit and the reliance upon the environment’s natural elements. Skipping across translucent water and being surrounded by towering peaks, all while being assisted by a cool mountain breeze, is a privilege that evokes a sincere sense of existing in the present. While the views and the scenery throughout the entirety of the trip would have been enough to fulfill our most excessive expectations, the landscape and conditions were only a portion of the trip’s eminence.

From the moment we landed in Argentina to the moment we departed, the people we interacted with and the events they included us in formed the basis of what made this trip so memorable. As with most journeys, endeavors or new explorations, the people you surround yourself with are what shapes the experience more so than the experience itself. The company that embraced us during our travels through Patagonia, both on and off the water, outpoured authentic selflessness, which transcended into even the most routine of occasions. Although we had heard of the widespread accessibility and enjoyment of yerba mate (herbal tea that is a staple of Argentinian culture), it was not until we experienced it for ourselves that we came to appreciate its deeply rooted immersion in Argentina’s social constructs. In most parts of the world, cultures share a universal affinity for morning coffee, and while coffee influences a distinctive and steadfast following, mate drinking garners an entirely more individualistic yet inclusive experience. Unlike coffee, which is exclusive for the drinker, mate invites many to sip from the same drink. If someone has a mug of mate and a full thermos of warm water, without hesitation, they will share their drink with those in their social circle. As an outsider looking in, this genuine and simple apportion of a drink is a beautiful sight that becomes even more captivating when you get the tap on the shoulder, and the mug is passed your way.

While the chronological order of events was largely irrelevant when considering the caliber of our trip, one element that did alter drastically during our stay was the weather. When the trip began, temperatures during the day climbed into the high 30s (Celsius), which made the cool glacial lakes a saving grace and a contrasting escape from the scorching temperatures on land. However, as the trip developed, so did a frigid weather system that built on the Chilean coast and cloaked Patagonia with unprecedented temperatures. In the higher elevations, mountain tops were dressed with a fresh dusting of snow, and in the lower elevations, Noè, Andre and I became well acquainted with the scarce availability of summertime hot chocolate. During the final days of the trip, the air temperature plummeted, and winter jackets, along with thick neoprene, became vital for insulation. The temperatures grew so cold that with every exhale, we could see the steam emitting from our breath… a bewildering summer sight, and a drastic shift from the desert heat that greeted us on our arrival.

Even though the weather may not have seemed ideal, it added an unforeseen dimension to our trip without deterring our enjoyment in the slightest. In merely a few weeks, we were able to experience a whole gamut of varying weather patterns and conditions, all of which provided wind for multitudinous sessions.

In accompaniment with countless kite sessions were the many late-night asados (giant group barbecues where huge amounts of different meats and veggies are seared over a charcoal fire). Similar to mate drinking that employs a unique group dynamic, asados garner comparable intimacy. At one point, Noè, Andre and I joined in with approximately 20 others for one of these special group feasts. Unlike other parts of the world where the timeliness of a meal is a fleeting factor when it comes to cooking, in Argentina, the quality of the cuisine is the only factor that can lead to hours of slow-roasted perfection. On many occasions, the asados we had the pleasure of indulging in would burn into the wee hours of the morning, entirely dictated by the size of the fillets and the chef’s culinary preferences. Instead of viewing this style of cooking as being inconvenient or overtly prolonged, these drawn-out feasts were yet another embodiment of Argentina’s incredible appreciation and celebration of social affection, sparking incredible conversations that allowed us to form a relationship far more elaborate than merely a fist-bump at the beach.

Repeatedly during the trip, I kept having the reoccurring thought that, more often than not, individuals, as well as places, are frequently misunderstood and become subjected to the scrutiny of unbiased or pre-established judgment. However, when you look closer, immerse yourself in the present, and make an effort to connect with others, the view you once had can shift and become far more detailed and alluring. Collectively, Noè, Andre and I spent two weeks in Argentina, navigating the country and making friends along the way. If this trip had been shorter, I think we would have only appreciated the country for its beauty and would have been too pressed for time to form personal, lasting connections with the people we met along the way. Even though I do think we were fortunate to have crossed paths with truly incredible locals who were spewing with hospitality, I am confident that this innate and selfless giving is sewn into the fabric of Argentinian socialism.

When I think of a great kiter, I think of an individual whose efforts on the water are synonymous with their efforts on land. A great kiter can be defined by what they do on the water, as well as who they are and what they do off the water. With unwavering certainty, Argentina is full of great kiters, and Noè, Andre and I had the pleasure of experiencing these special personalities. Whether it was being introduced to a new spot to ride, sharing a mug of mate, cherishing asado, or dueling in a heated game of foosball, each precious moment in Argentina was a sincere gift of pleasure. Every place and the people that occupy it have a story worth telling, and if you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse into their world… “look closer, and you will feel.”