In the five years since Benjamin Lai moved to Hong Kong, he's had one night stands with aikido, wing chun and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as wakeboarding, hot yoga and TRX suspension training. Lately, he has been flirting with windsurfing and the 33-year-old Hong Kong-born Australian finally thinks he is on to a good thing.
"I love windsurfing because you are at one with nature, and you are at its mercy - you have to work with the sail, the wind and your body," he explains. "If your balance is not right, you don't move. You also need to read the wind. That's what keeps it interesting - the wind is changing all the time."
Lai, an osteopath, first tried the sport with friends two years ago, but only recommitted to learning it this summer. After taking lessons, he now windsurfs every week at Stanley Main Beach.
For Lai, trying new sports is not just a hobby, but also a way to better understand his patients. "I like to give new sports a go, so I can study what movements are involved in the activities," he says.
"It allows me to keep up with the lingo that patients use, and helps me to understand any injuries from those activities."
Lai's endless curiosity filters through everything he does in life. During the five years he studied osteopathy, he also got certified as a personal trainer, and worked with clients part time. Now working at Central Osteopathy in Central, he has also found the time to study two of his life-long interests: acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).