Superheroes do fly…sometimes!

Kite surfers seem to defy gravity. They skim along the troughs of waves and jet off the crests seemingly weightless and birdlike. Tethered to a parasol arching forty feet above them, they shift directions, glide, carve through the water and float through the air. The sport requires more than steely nerves, the athleticism it requires to navigate the forces of wind and air simultaneously is almost superhuman.

Bruno Lobo has been kite surfing for 15 years. Before that he was a champion swimmer and triathlete, and he is an orthopedic surgeon. He won Olympic gold in kite surfing in 2016 and 2023, as well as 6 Brazilian titles. On a training day, marked by a few gray clouds and some blustery winds beneath them, Bruno went into the ocean off the coast of Sao Luis, Brazil to test a new camera. The winds swirled a bit, and there were gusts moving away from the beach. “After sailing a few meters, I heard a cry for help and looked at the girl who was drowning,” he explained in post on Instagram, which was accompanied by a video of the incident. “I promptly approached her with the kite, tried to calm her down and asked her to climb on my back (as) she was very tired and had no strength.” Bruno used his equipment and experience as a swimmer and surfer to get the woman safely into the shallows where lifeguards were able to assist. “I was very surprised at that moment to see someone at that level in the sea, and when I recognized that she was drowning I promptly went in her direction to help,” he told CNN Sport.

CNN picked up the story and Bruno found new fame. But instead of shining the spotlight on himself, Bruno used the opportunity to educate people about the dangers of watersports, the currents, the changing weather. Professional athletes make swimming, sailing or surfing look easy. We forget how many hours they have spent learning their craft in measured progressions that always weigh the risks. And that is a valuable lesson for each of us knowing our limits and imposing a little self-humility. There’s no need to compare ourselves to others and try to measure up to someone else’s accomplishments. And it’s also wise to think before we dive into unfamiliar currents. A little caution goes a long way.

Life can be as wonderful as a relaxing day at the beach, as spectacular as the view of waves and sunset coming together in our world’s great daily masterpieces. When we get into water over our heads, it’s nice to know there are people like Bruno who see our struggle and pull us ashore.

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