New York -Kitesurfing the Hudson River-

by Deneen Degennaro and Quotes of Dirk Hanel

"It is Saturday morning the sun is just peaking out over the skyline of New York and it is going to be a beautiful Autumn day. What I have planed for today seams kind of crazy in the mind of a New Yorker person, but I have had it in my mind for the past year. I wanna give the 93 meter high old lady a visit coming from the ocean and not from Down Town Manhattan by boat. The worlds symbol of freed om is overseeing the New Yorkern Harbour since 1886 when the french brought it as a gift and to me it just fits to the spirit of Kiteboarding were you are free on the water and just need some wind to experience nice tricks or just relaxing moments flying over the water."

Growing up in New York, I have never heard of anyone WILLINGLY jump into the Hudson River surrounding Manhattan- only the stories of what could possibly be floating in there or sitting at the bottom with a concrete block tied around it, with hopes of it never surfacing. So when Dirk Hanel said he would love to go kiteboarding around the Statue of Liberty I thought he was insane. The chemicals alone lurking in there would surely eat right through his wet suit. Let's face it, the river around the city that never sleeps is not known for it's crystal clear waters. Let's just say that I don't know many people who would eat a fish that was caught in the Hudson (if there even are any).

"Well knowing that in the 315 mile long river are still 200 different species of fish the water quality can not be too bad. Though it is a strange feeling thinking about jumping into the river that gets oil spills, household chemicals, and industrial discharges in hundred of liters everyday. Well I guess what does not kill makes you resistend for life."

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