CABARETE, Dominican Republic — I have just tumbled, skipped, and skidded across the ocean, harnessed to a giant kite like a dog leashed to a race car. Somehow, I hear my Italian kiteboarding instructor shouting through the radio attached to my helmet.

"Find the balance, Daveeed. FIND THE BALANCE!"

I checked into Kitexcite for lessons. As dozens of students, instructors, and a few of those world-class Dominicans milled about, one fact became startling: I was twice the average age…………………….