Hearing my coach tell me to do a dive in which I always hurt yourself is an alarming moment. As soon as I hear the name of the dreaded dive, my muscles tense up because they know the kiss of the unforgiving water. My mind thinks of all of the bruises, the welts, the sport abusing me. I close my eyes and envision what I know will go wrong. When you hit the water, it starts with a sting, a burning sensation rises from the epicenter of the hit, almost a searing pain, then your skin tightens, your skin becomes so taut that you can imagine it tearing open. It is as though the sport has conquered you and is branding your skin. …show more content…
I know I have to do this even though every single brain cell is screaming, pleading to not do it. I take one step, the board feeling coarse under my cold feet. I take another step, then one more. I jump on the end of the board, letting my full weight power me. The flying, the best part of the sport is next. Feeling free. My body knows just what to do. Everything is happening naturally. There is really no way to explain this phenomenon, it is the largest mix of sensations I have ever felt in my life. Every single nerve is alive, sending signals to the brain of how to react and it just happens, without even