I have a
large family. My dad is the second oldest of 7 children and my mom is the
second youngest of 5. Of the 12 kids, 8 live within about 10 miles of each
other in Sarasota, FL. That includes my family. Basically, every family event
we have is an adventure. Even better, my dad’s parents have a house on Lake
Chatuge in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Hiawassee, Georgia.
Every
summer (and sometimes winter), my family takes a 1-2 week trip up to our house
in Hiawassee. These trips always consist of our traditional restaurants,
endless card games, and lots of time spent out on the boat doing water sports.
Normally, because we have so many families taking 1-2 week trips, our time in
Hiawassee will overlap with another Sweeney family.
One New
Years’ Eve, my family was up at the house with my mom’s eldest brother and
their family who live in Houston. They’re probably my favorite cousins to hang
out with. It was cold in Hiawassee, but not snowing cold. Anyways, it had been
too cold to go in the water. My cousin Lee, a junior at Texas A&M, and I
accepted that challenge.
It was
around 45 degrees outside with a lot of wind and it was starting to rain a
little bit. My mom thought this was hilarious, so she took Lee and I out on the
boat. I was volunteered to go kneeboarding first. I jumped in the water. I
couldn’t feel my extremities for long. I’m guessing that the water was around
35 degrees. I swam as fast as I could to the kneeboard and got going. I learned
a quick lesson: kneeboard + cold water + rain = no bueno.
Normally, I
stay on the board for a few minutes before my arms can’t take the stress of a
35-mile an hour boat tugging on them any longer. In that time, I am good for a
couple jumps over the wake and some potential 360s. This ride, I stayed on the
board for a few minutes, all right, but I only did that to avoid the 35-degree
water again. The rain was piercing as it hit my skin, but it was warmer than
the water.
Overall, I
love having that experience. It’s something I can hold over my other cousin’s
heads when we compete on which tricks we have mastered. However, it is
definitely a one-time experience. And I wouldn’t suggest anybody else doing
that.
Our family used to spend a lot of time at our lake house with my extended family as well. I remember times when there must have been twenty or more people there, it was crowded but I have some great memories of the experience. As for kneeboarding in freezing weather I don't know that I've ever done anything like that, but I would say I'm pretty impressed.
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