The man jokingly says
as he hands me a release form, “Here, you have to sign this in case you die.
This way no one can sue us.” My heart beats a little faster, I remind myself
that we do the same thing for yoga classes. It’s just a formality. I sign the form and pile into the crowded van.
A short drive and we are at the river bank. I was hoping for at least an hour
drive to prolong the inevitable. The beach is filled with rafts and people in
various states. Some are already in helmets, rafts are pushing off in small
groups, and our group is milling around the boats while the guides begin to
pass out life vests and paddles. We are instructed to put them on and cinch
them tight. If it’s loose the scenario is that if you fall out of the boat and
they try to pull you back into the boat,
the vest will slide right over your
head…..
I cinched it up so
tight my ribs hurt.
We stand and listen
to the safety tips:
If you fall out of
the boat grab the line around the perimeter of the boat.
If you are floating
too far from the boat keep your feet headed down stream
so as not to bash your
head on a rock.
If you find yourself
under the boat, put your hands up and walk them to the edge
until you can push
the boat up and get out…..
at this point I’m looking around to see if anyone else is concerned.
Nope, they look pretty calm.
On to the next rule:
If you find yourself
under the boat and it’s not tipped over, do the same as above.
Wait? If I find
myself UNDER a boat filled with people
I’m going to be so
freaked out I will surely die.
My stomach is queasy
from sheer terror now.
I lean over to Pete
and say “I’m not sure I’m going with you.”
He pats me on the arm
like I’m a fucking kid and says, “It will be fine.”
No, I don’t think it
will be fine at all, but I keep quiet.
My mind is churning
furiously and I notice that the other rafting company has given their patrons
helmets. We don’t have helmets. What happens if I bash my head on a rock
without a helmet?
Yeah, I don’t think
this is a good idea at all.
I’m not sure if I was
brave or I just didn’t want to be the only one to chicken out, but I stepped
into the raft. I lodge my foot under the center flotation device as directed
and I give Pete one final look as we push off to run the rapids of the Rio
Grande…..and I’m sure you’ve already guessed that I had a great time.
