At Brundage Mountain’s Crazy Daze 2010
I am guessing the population of pond skimmers amongst skiers, riders and superheroes is pretty slim. The possibility of dunking in 34 degree water is quite daunting even for those who possess extraordinary strength and powers.
The turnout on Saturday for Brundage Mountain’s annual Crazy Daze was a success. The signature event is the pond skimming contest which has been a celebrated rite of spring across the cosmos perhaps since Spidey first encountered the Green Goblin. Old Man Winter even showed up for the event a few days early and brought some new snow. Bonus!
Also up for the challenge were the Crocodile Hunter, Bubble Boy, Elvis and the Mono-Boarding Rastafarian – just to name a few fools besides myself. We would each put forth our forged powers and liquid courage to combat the unfavorable elements.
The man-made pond wore a layer of ice and slush on top up until about 15 minutes before we were due to drop in. A veteran pond skimmer offered some advice, “Brace yourself as you hit the water and then just keep your ski tips up.” A rookie pond skimmer provided some amusement as he shivered in nothing but tighty whities waiting his attempt to fly across the pond. Unfortunately he did not take flight, but rather voyaged underwater – as did many of us.
If only I had the Flash’s super speed, or Ice Man’s cryokinetic powers; then I would have been singing and dancing like my friends and fans on the sidelines.
My first run was glorious! I kept my ski tips up as advised and sailed 70 feet across the pond. My second time around was a near miss, but the spotters at the pond’s red carpeted exit leant a hand. My third run perhaps ended as it should. It’s what gets the crowd hyped up the most – when wannabe superheroes plunge into hypothermic waters – skis, snowboards and all.
Afterwards we tailgated amongst friends. Our identities were no longer a secret. It was pretty clear who the fools were. We were the ones with soggy boots and heavy capes hovering over the barbeques in the parking lot. And the most foolish part of it all is that most of us will probably do it again next spring.
- All Seasons Ali, Wannabe Super Heroine