Step 1

For this writing activity, I chose to write about my first-time water skiing. This experience may seem “banal”, but I feel like my brain had 10372917392729 things to process during that very short period of time. My uncle and aunt, who own a cottage along the lake, have always wanted me to try water skiing, but I never got the chance to do it until this summer when all of the family was invited to spend the weekend at their place. I had been told that this aquatic sport was very different from skiing in the snow which I am already used to. They also told me that it could be difficult to fully stand up the first time trying it, and that I would probably fall many times before succeeding. Dominated by my competitive spirit, I accepted the challenge. Accompanied by my uncle, aunt, sister and five of my cousins, I get on the boat excited and nervous. As soon as we arrive towards the middle of the lake, I automatically regret my decision fearing failure. My younger sister goes first. She puts on the long skis and jumps into the water. Everybody on the boat is watching her as my aunt gives her a rope which she will need to hold tightly. The engine starts and one of my sister’s skis has already slipped out of her foot. A while later, another issue arises; the rope is tangled. Discouraged, I want to jump off the boat and swim back to the cottage because my turn approaches. My sister finally gives it a try and falls immediately after standing up for approximatively 0.02 seconds. At this point, I just want to disappear, but my uncle calls me. “Alexandra, let’s see if YOU can do it!” I would like to specify that the emphasis on the word “you” is very important here as it gave me even more pressure. While everyone is watching me, I put on the long skis and jump into the water. Cold water. I hold on to the rope and hope that I will not look ridiculous. I feel everyone’s eyes on me when the engine starts, and I adjust my position on the skis. Miraculously, I am able to stand up and stay for quite a long time! I ended up doing a couple other times, and it just made me realize that taking small risks like this is fun because you never know what to expect. No matter what happens you will be breaking self-imposed limits. 

Step 2

This summer, I attempted to water ski for the first time at my uncle and aunt’s cottage along the lake. Considering that my younger sister is pretty good at sports, I watched her going first to see how she would do. My level of stress drastically increased as I saw her struggle in the water. After a couple of tries, my sister could not get up on the skis, and it was my turn to attempt it in front of everyone on the boat. Feeling nervous and agitated, I put on the skis and hold on to the rope as the engine starts. I surpassed all of my expectations when I was able to stand up and feel the glassy smooth water under me. This sensation of freedom ended shortly after waves made it more difficult to hold my position, but still… it’s funny how small accomplishments like this can make you feel happy, even if it’s just for a short amount of time.

Step 3

On a blistering, cloudless and delightful day, I participated in an extremely difficult aquatic sport which consists of wearing a pair of particularized skis which enables you to skim the surface of the water when towed by a motorboat. Before commencing my journey on this enriching experience, I began paying close attention to my talented younger sister, who unfortunately, did not succeed her attempt at water skiing. Despite severe symptoms of stress invading my mind, I was perfectly aligned and centered with the two long platforms attached to my feet which made this moment particularly impressive and monumental. After that notable achievement, I felt victorious and triumphant for accomplishing such discipline on a liquid surface.

Voilà!