One of my favorite parts of ACE’s Lower New Whitewater Rafting trip is Swimmer’s Rapids. In the middle of the summer when the sun is blaring down, there is nothing better than floating in the middle of the river. It is so refreshing and relaxing.The one hiccup, getting back into the raft. On my previous trips, I simply would be a limp, dead carp and let my guide hoist me in my PFD. Alyson, my guide, gave us a concise 101 course in getting back in. Maybe I should have paid more attention. Maybe I should not have let the spry 19-year-olds get back into the raft first.
I grabbed onto the straps. Per Alyson’s instructions, I used my upper body strength and kicked my feet to create the momentum to get back in the raft. There was a lot of flailing body parts, colorful language and pain. Then to beat all, my swim trunks were falling down. When I did make it back into the raft, I landed face first in Alyson’s crotch. The sense of accomplishment was definitely colored by my humiliating landing.
On my second try, I got into the raft with much more grace, however, I was so intoxicated by my own testosterone that I tripped over my paddle and landed face first on the other side of the raft. Sometimes, I just have to laugh at my own pratfalls.
Then, Alyson showed us a way to get back into the raft backward. With your back to the raft, you grab onto the same strap. Then, you start a backflip with your legs emerging from the water and landing you in the raft. Great idea in theory. Again, those obnoxious 19-year-olds whip themselves back into the raft like Olympic gymnasts.
I decided to try it. There was really no way I could humiliate myself even more. I got into position and began the backflip.
What I had not realized was the amount of water that would shoot through my nasal cavity. Still submerged, I could feel my legs on the raft and could not get the momentum to close the deal. I felt like a bargain basement synchronized swimmer.
Needless to say, I did not give that one a second try. They neglected to tell me that when I surfaced my hair was matted to my forehead and my helmet was crooked. So, yes, I could humiliate myself even more.
I look at it this way. You only live once. I want to be a participant in my life, not a passive observer. And if that means being a constant punch line, so be it. And working at ACE allows me to do things that I never would, and have great stories in the process.
