The Zen of Waterskiing

When asked about my favorite activity, I do not hestiate to say "waterskiing." There is no sensation on earth -- at least, within my experience to date -- that compares to that of the nearly frictionless glide across mirror-smooth water. When I lived on Ford Lake, I owned a 15' tri-hull with an 86-horsepower outboard motor. Plenty of power to pull a skier on an inland lake. Living on the lake meant I was able to get out early enough to get the really smooth water. No wind, no crazies from the public launch site, no fishermen sitting in the sheltered coves where the water is especially still.

Sitting in the water, steadying the ski tip, yelling "Hit it!," rising into the air and feeling the play in my legs and arms as my body adjusts to the ride behind the boat -- these are sensations I remember as deeply satisfying to some inner part of me. Explain it by endorphins if you want to, but I think that body chemistry explains only part of this effect.This will always be the defining experience of personal joy for me.

[Wow, what kind of mother am I? -- Sorry, kiddo, as much as I am delighted to be your Mom, so much of that process is uncomfortable, confusing, frustrating and ego-challenging that the joy is often obscured or diluted. -- That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.]

The last time I tried to ski was about 15 years ago, and at that time, I hadn't skied in about 8 years. I had gained weight and was woefully out of shape. Forget grip strength. As a result, I failed to get up on my slalom ski. After 3 or 4 tries, I decided to try and get up on two skis. Try as I might, I failed at that also. In the process, as I gripped the handle of the tow rope as hard as I could, I damaged both carpal tunnels enough that I couldn't button anything for weeks and had to wear wrist braces for months. Very discouraging. It was enough to keep me from trying again for a really long time. Or even being interested in doing so.

Now I am retired, and I have been doing strength training for two years. I know my arms and hands are much, much more able to handle the task than before. So I found a friend with a boat who was willing to take me out for a try. We set up a time to do so, last week, on a hot and very windy day.

When Doug and I got to their house, Tim and Virginia asked if I really wanted to go out. It was windy enough that the chop was going to be fierce. If you have ever waterskied, you know that this makes getting up more difficult and the skiing itself a miserable pounding for your legs and lower back. But I was determined to give it a try.

Out we went into the water in front of the house. Way too rough. So we went around the tip of the Island to the wall or jetty that creates a relatively calm area. Of course, the fisher folk like this place, too, which complicates the tow.

We stopped the boat and into the water I went. I struggled to get my slalom ski on. I forgot what that was like, as I rolled on my side and tried to get a good grip on the boot to pull it on. Once that was done, Tim circled the boat around me so that the rope came into range. The handle was split, and I was used to a one-piece handle. I bobbled side to side as the slack was taken out of the rope. Finally, I call "hit it!" The motor kicked into life. The water scooped toward me, billowing my suit and splashing into my face. I was not able to keep a grip on the rope handle, and was soon floating free, waiting for the boat to come back and bring me the rope for another try.

We tried this 4 more times. Once, I was almost up. Almost. Finally I was just too tired to try again. I climbed back in the boat and back we went to land. So what went wrong? I am not sure. It may be that I just have to keep trying, so that I can re-awaken what I used to know. Maybe the split handle was a factor, or maybe I should start again with two skis, before I can try again with one.

It was frustrating, but I don't feel discouraged. I remember some of those sensations that go with this most favorite activity. I still like those sensations. I still want to re-experience them. Okay, I am not that crazy about the river water going up into my sinuses. But that's just part of the deal. In spite of that, therefore, I hope we have some summery days again before Fall settles in for good, so that I don't have to wait until next July. With the help of my boat-owning friends, Tim and Virginia, and my husband, spotter extraordinaire, I know I can do it.