So guess what I did today? A little proactive training. It looks like I'm going to be taking a trip to Mallorca, Spain, next month, and I'm really excited, but the problem is that when I go deep water soloing I can only do about three pitches a day. Why, you ask? Well, because when I fall into the water I fall so badly that it really hurts and I get about a gallon of water up my nose.
So today a friend of mine took me to a local swimming pool that had high dives and we practiced hitting the water appropriately. The first time I went off the 7.5 meter jump I kinda went forward and slapped my stomach a bit. Another time I blew out of my nose so hard as I hit the water that I had no more breath left and thought I was going to drown by the time I surfaced. Yet another time I looked down too much and hit my face so hard I got a bit of a bloody nose.
Other than that, though, I think I may be getting the hang of it. Legs together, pull your arms in, blow out of your nose when you hit the water. Seems so natural when you see all the kids doing it, but apparently this is something at which I am quite ridiculously inept.
Anykineclimb says:
you must've got some funny looks at the pool!
gonzobeer says:
YOu got the crap beat outta you by that pool didn't you? Don't take that from that lowly H2O, you go back there and you kick that waters ass!
Licentia Haud Vestigium
ET Thornton says:
I am looking to see how you like Mallorca, since I am headed there for some climbing in March or April! If you find cool places to stay, please share! Climbing and Ocean, my two favorite things!
ET
woodchuck07 says:
Cannonballl !!! Tuck it and suck it in, and hit with a big splash. It's not a bellyflop contest, young lady..
Rockratz says:
Now a video of that would be great. Like Katie Brown Bloopers :)
"Need a Belay?"
woodchuck07 says:
Katie Brown belly whoppers, DWS style. That would be fun to watch for sure. Fat guys like me with no climbing talent could do well on the landings for splash effect alone.
soillclimber says:
With two broken ribs and blood in my left lung twice, in one summer of DWS; I can say that if you are really trying, you'll eventually take a fall that hurts pretty bad. The good news is, that it only hurts. And spitting up a bit of blood and still climbing is good for the morale of the younger crews (makes them want to try harder), and makes for more interesting posts to blogs.
ab
www.aaronbphoto.com
Always try harder!
soillclimber says:
Yeah, so that last post didn't quite read right. I realized that it might convey something to fear and what I meant was that even the worst falls (40+ feet to your side, back, or stomach) just hurt real bad and have a lot more "phantom fear" than actual consequence. Not that you can't get actually hurt, but you can get just as hurt if not more going to the grocery store in the ole' car too. Try your heart out and have a great time. Just have a "spotter" and you'll be golden.
ab
www.aaronbphoto.com
climbingwall says:
find a lake with bluffs, and give it a try in the natural state.
Cheers!
woodchuck07 says:
By 'natural state' do you mean a naked flying waterflop with all parts a-swinging and a floppin? Or just a normal cliff jump, no climbing, for the sake of jump practice? I'd wanna do an underwater check of the whole area for hidden boulders only 3 ft. deep before I went in. But then again, if I saw some hot chick in the nude go flying off a rock, well I'd probably join her without hesitation.
climbingwall says:
I could mean Arkansas, I'll never tell. :^)
Cheers!
woodchuck07 says:
so Arkansas it is... will head there for future fun.
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