I headed to the airport to pick up Val Shinn and we arrived at the World Barefoot Center in the late afternoon on Sunday. We quickly changed into our suits, grabbed our wetsuits and headed out for the boat to join the other gals–Sharon, Judy, Joann, Claudia and Lauren. Swampy Bouchard, the center’s Elite Coach was our driver. The plan was for each of the gals to take a ride on A. J. Porreca’s back– while he was barefooting backwards.
What a way to start of Women’s Barefoot Week! A. J. was a trouper! There were seven ladies and a few false starts, but everyone got the chance to experience a backwards barefoot ride. What a thrill! A. J. had a smile on his face every time and he even did some one-foot barefooting with a gal on his back. Judy Myers and A. J. attempted a forward ride and Judy ended up hanging on the rope upside down while A. J. barefooted. The rest of us were laughing in the boat.
We are staying at a beautiful house down the street from the World Barefoot Center complete with a pool and hot tub. After skiing all day, the hot tub is a welcome blessing for the sore muscles. Barefoot Wine sponsored the week with wine, t-shirts, bags and hats. Vibram Barefoot Shoes sponsored shoes for the “Most Improved Barefooter” for the end of the week.
Yesterday was day two and what a blast! We did two sets in the morning, took a break for lunch and then back out again for two more sets. I was in awe of these gals and what they can do on the water. In one day, Keith St. Onge had me doing one-foot on the short line, slalom on the long line (yes, I got up on the deep-water start– the thing I had been battling all summer!) and I’m learning how to plant my feet for a backwards start.
Joann O’Connor and Judy Myers are my volunteer interpreters for the week so I’m in the boat with one of them all the time. During yesterday’s preparation for learning the backward start, Keith called me to the front of the boat to practice the start. I laid down on the hull and Judy sat in front of me. As Keith instructed me from behind and showed me what to do with my feet, Judy repeated everything so I could lipread her. It worked out well, as I was able to do what Joann calls “cockroaching”– planting one foot at a time at 12 mph.
I can’t wait to hit the water again today. We’ve got more ladies coming today, tomorrow and Thursday. Off to don my suit!
