Day 8: Waterskiing
Waterskiing has been a challenge to overcome for many years. When I was 11 and attending Camp Kingswood, I signed up for a waterskiing class. Try as I may to get up, I was consistently unsuccessful and finally gave up, opting instead for the easier hydroslide, where you kneel on a board instead of stand on skis. When I was on my cross-country tour at 15, we went waterskiing in Lake Tahoe but I was the only one of my group who never fully got up. And two summers ago when I was in Switzerland with Oren, he mentioned to me one day of the desire to find a waterskiing venue but we never got around to it. This was my first real chance in over a decade to avenge my previous failures. And at almost 28 years old now, I wasn’t worried about my ability to pull it off.
Julia and I hopped into the boat with Jesus and the motor boat driver whose name I never got. I put on my lifejacket and jumped into the water after Jesus, Julia staying behind in the boat with camera at the ready. We put my skis on, he showed me how to position myself and when to stand. When ready, the boat moved forward slowly to get a feel for it and soon, the command was given to accelerate. There it went and up I came.
Balancing steadily and holding on tightly, my hands began to burn quickly and the slightest off movement would cause you to lose balance, thus tugging on the rope and worsening the situation. It’s a constant effort to stay afloat. But there I was. Up and waterskiing in Acapulco Bay… until I lost balance and fell. No problem. Jesus, who had been skiing by my side, swam over and reassured me as we awaited the boat’s swinging around. Into position and we were off a second time. Now I’m more comfortable and can appreciate the surroundings a bit more. I smile for the camera as Jules snaps a photo. We swing around the bay and I look off to my left as Jesus is squatting, his butt skimming the water. I’d like to try that but maintaining balance is enough of a chore right now. And my hands are really beginning to hurt. Eventually, something has to give. My legs buckle and again I’m down. I’m not discouraged but the urge to give it another go is now overshadowed by the pain in my hands so I relax in the water for a moment before take three. This one becomes my longest run. Jesus helps me jump the wake as we turn. I can rotate the handle, swerving to the left or right. It’s fun but the fun is hard work. Eventually, my hands can’t hold on any longer and I left go. My time is now up so the boat U-turns it and we ski back to the beach.
Back on the sand, I was surprised to feel a little sort all over which is OK by me because I have all day to relax and do nothing. Great fun. I’ve finally waterskiied. And I have little if no desire to do it again.
Jetskiing
Later that afternoon, Julia and I rented a jetski and took off full throttle into the bay. I was unimaginably giddy as my inner child surfaced and screamed out loud with excitement. Tugging on the gas and flying mid-air over the waves, it was purely exhilarating. The handles were only a tad difficult to steer but maneuvering eased with just a little practice. Laughing all the way, we crossed the bay to check out the town’s main beaches, then jetted over to the large rock situated in the center of the bay. We swung around, then b-lined it to the far side near the ocean for a closer look at some mountain top homes. Given the 30 minute time limit, we worked our way back towards the hotel beach’s direction to see our instructor give us the 10 minute signal. WooHoo! We race back across the bay, pounding over the bumpy waves, splashing over the bumpy waves, and relishing the warm water spray into our faces. Another jetski flies past us so I cross its wake warning Jules to hold on tight. Finally, we return our beach and after Julia disembarks, I joke, “That’s it?” and the instructor says, “OK, two more minutes. You go yourself.” Off I go for a quick line up and back. I realize how much faster I can go without Jules’ weight behind me. I zoom around and head back, screaming with joy all the way. I’m already considering paying to go again in Zihua. I still have parasailing to check off my list though.
