Friday, January 3, 2014

What Fools These Mortals Be

Waterskiing On The Mississippi 2014-01-01 3

So says Puck in A Midsummer-Night's Dream (Act III, Scene II). This man and at least one other I saw Wednesday tried to water ski in the Mississippi barefoot. They leave the dock in regular skis, loosely fastened, I assume, and at some point leap out of them. Then the, um, performer tries to hydroplane on his or her feet. The usual result is immediate disaster.

This is simply nuts. It may not have been awfully cold here on New Year's Day (although it will be awfully cold over the next few days) but, you know, this river starts in Minnesota. Major freezer action. And look at that fall. He could have easily broken his neck. Have you ever heard of the Darwin Awards?          

Waterskiing On The Mississippi 2014-01-01 4

Waterskiing On The Mississippi 2014-01-01 5

Waterskiing On The Mississippi 2014-01-01 6

10 comments:

  1. Yes . New years day always provoke such actions it seems. Here a lot of people jumps in the sea for a "swim". Not my cup of tea.

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  2. Nuts for sure. I think the same of the Polar Bear Club, but then they're only in and out and usually don't hurt themselves. Not my kind of sport or folly! Love especially the first photo and the inevitable disasters after.

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  3. Agreed Bob! You caught some mighty action in this and your last post, nice work!

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  4. Great sequences here and below! Well done, Bob.

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  5. Yup. A good candidate for the Darwin Awards except that there are people even dumber than he is.

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  6. I used to be a heavy duty water skier...loved it...but this is over the top!!! Brrrrr!!!!

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  7. Ha ha, He did it because he knew you would be there with the camera. Great photos.

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  8. I don't get it either. It's a wee bit of madness.

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