OK, first of all, I want to say that when you live life on the edge, sometimes you find that you've ventured too close to the edge and a rapid correction is needed. When that rapid correction fails to occur or is inadequate to compensate for the initial error, one must accept that he is going over the edge.
Then, it's a matter of how you react and compensate to your new-found environment. This is where I found myself while, at the same time, demonstrating the dinghy MOB procedures to
many observers.
At this point I should also point out that although there were
many observers, there were absolutely NO rescuers among the many laughing observers.
There was, however, one astute dinghy crew member who observed my hand and beer held above the water's surface and given the choice, what did he grab? You guessed it....the beer...thus saving a full cold beer protectively wrapped in a Trawler Forum koozie while letting me sink to the depths of the cold delta waters. Kudos to Al from Petaluma Yacht Club for that beer rescue.
(see picture below)
So here's what happened as I can best recall....
Giggitoni and I spent part of the afternoon at the Taste of the Delta fundraiser at nearby Tower Park Marina where we enjoyed great music, food and wine and sangria samples....all in moderation.
When Giggitoni's daughter arrived, we all headed back to our nearby raftup and stood by while Craig and Ed slid into place effortlessly. (Nice job, guys!!)
Once situated, we visited with the folks while enjoying
iced tea and water!!! Several boats were arriving in the same cove and we began to converse with our new neighbors and future friends. Once we realized that we had a collection of 3 Californian boats there (two 34s and a 38), I was invited aboard for show-and-tell. Of course, I'd need a beer for this tour, so I grabbed one for the road, but left it at Al's aft rail near my dink while touring the Californians.
After two great alcohol-free boat tours, I invited the unsuspecting gentlemen aboard FlyWright to see what similarities and differences...not the least of which, apparently, is my shallower swimstep. As I approached my swimstep in my dink, best I can recall, my bow kissed the swimstep, immediately halting my forward motion, just as I was (over)reaching over the side for the swimstep.
Like I said....living life on the edge!!
So in an instant, I went from yachtsman about to show off my floating beauty to weed encrusted, fully submerged swimmer of the deep! Life is like that sometimes, right?
So there I am below the surface enjoying the peace and quiet as my beer is rescued from my hand and thinking, "they are probably worried about my well-being and will be so relieved when I surface safely." WRONG!!! I only wish I had remained below for just a few more moments to enjoy that last peace and quiet!!
I surfaced not to the waiting hands of rescue, but to the flicker of cellphone cameras and the taunting laughter of my potential, yet grossly under-performing, rescuers. Even the 7 year old kid was joining in the shame game. I learned from Chicago politics that when faced with this level of shame and embarrassment, one has a choice....1. deny it, 2. make excuses or 3. embrace and celebrate it! So I embrace it and offer to you the Duke of Dunk, the Sultan of Swim, the Water Warden....
Note the tiny captions illustrating the full beer in the right hand of the rescuer "Petaluma Al" and complete lack of any effort resembling a rescue attempt with the left hand! You can see from my facial expression that this was a stressful and life-changing event for me.
I embrace my stupidity, celebrate my wild side and rest my case, your honor!
