Working for the competition

A couple of weeks ago, Daniel the owner of Algarve WaterSport, contacted GustyKite about taking a group of clients as he was overbooked. This opened up the discussion that led to being their 3rd instructor on days when they were overbooked. This has been happening on quite a regular basis, I’m happy to report, so although I’m not making half the money as with Pedro and GustyKite, I’m busy working. And sometimes we are each taking more than our legitimate 4 students/2 kites limit. Top that off with crazy winds, extreme tides, the occasional gear malfunction, and even some double shifts and it adds up to some tiring days.
The teaching situation isn’t ideal, as they are pushing as many students through for as many dollars as they can collect in their short season. On days when there’s no wind, I don’t work, but they keep going, offering surfing or wakeboarding as alternatives. So I really have it good as far as some work but some free time: my new instructor friends Borat (a fitting nickname) and Martin work basically 7 days a week through their busy season, and have the extra duties of driving clients and cleaning gear from which I’m exempt.
Of course I try to chip in as much as I can, which has won me a place of respect and favour with the whole team, to the point I feel like I’m part of the crew. It is a fittingly humbling experience to be the junior member of the team, but I’m learning quickly how to accommodate their level of business. I still probably put in an excess of energy and effort, trying to move (sometimes in deep water) between the groups of clients to ensure they get the best instruction and experience possible.
I feel, for better or worse, a strong attachment to each group of students, so it is difficult when they cycle out, just to be replaced by another fabulous group of guys and girls. When I hang around the Kite House for a well deserved shower, and to use the internet at night, I’ve been invited to share home-cooked meals and to hit the town partying with the crew. It’s been great fun! And I’m pretty sure I’ve just about accomplished one of the primary objectives of this trip: gaining enough teach experience to upgrade my status to Level 2 instructor. Though I’d be surprised if I ever make it to Borat’s status of Level 2 Senior, which requires something like 120 students and 2000 hours teaching!