IN LIFE AS IN THE DANCE : GRACE GLIDES

ON BLISTERED FEET.
---Alice Abrams

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Manic Monday - Rip



The Tide That Ripped!
I was sixteen and in the ocean at Corona del Mar, one of my favorite locales during the summer. Living in such close proximity to the beach I was never afraid of the water. I've never been a real strong swimmer but I make do.

My cousin and I had been lying on the beach and had decided to go in the water to cool off. We were enjoying ourselves when all of a sudden, we weren't where we should have been! We'd gotten caught in one of those darned riptides! It's something you hear about from friends but had never believed it could happen to you.

My cousin was a strong swimmer, having lived in Manhattan Beach, and she also spent a summer with her aunt in Hawai'i. But here I was, way out over my head and in trouble! She stayed right by my side, encouraging me to hang in there when I noticed some older guys on rafts. I paddled over to one and grabbed on. I tried to explain what had happened but I was out of breath. My hero pushed me away and took off.

Next thing I know, there's a lifeguard coming my way with a tow rope in hand. I became horribly embarrassed (shoot, dying is less important to a 16 year old, I guess!) so I told him I was okay.
I floated awhile, then swam, until we finally made it to shore. I remember my knees knocking together like crazy! We flopped down on our beach towels none the worse for wear...

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14 comments:

anthonynorth said...

That was one scary swim.

Barb said...

I grew up on the ocean near Boston and have also been caught in Riptides. Fortunately I had taken swimming lessons and knew what to do.

Maria's Space said...

Ahhhh so scary. I can only imagine how scared you were. Yikes.

Sandee said...

Not playing this week, but wanted to comment. Yikes Gracie, that was plain scary. I'm glad you made it. Big hug and have a great day. :)

maryt/theteach said...

OMG, Gracie! You sent the lifeguard away... but you were 16. Didn't want the cute lifeguard to think you were in trouble. Oh my! Glad you're here to tell the tale. :D

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you made it through that! I don't swim so going anywhere near the water at any time, let alone in rip tide conditions, terrifies me.

Sarge Charlie said...

I was in waves like that on the north shore of Hawaii, It wasn't a rip current but they would slam you into the sand.

Anonymous said...

What an eventful day! I love swimming, but have always been leary of swimming out too far in the ocean and catching one of those rips.

Constance said...

That would have been scary, Gracie !

Gene Bach said...

Funny ending to a scary story. LOL

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

oh honey how scary for you! i have never been in that situation i guess because i don't go in the ocean because a fish might touch me, but gosh, that is scary!!! (well so is a fish touching me but not as much. just sayin'... ha ha ha)

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Maya said...

Glad that you made it.

ps: thanks for the music.

david santos said...

Hello, Gracie!
I loved this post.
Have a nice weekend.

Constance said...

Hope that you are having a good weekend, Gracie !