Vicars Island Cliff Jumping

The water below us is calm, steady and ready for the takers. Greg calls out, “Who is jumping today?” I raise my hand halfheartedly, and see the six other hands shoot up. My heart drops to my toes, and I feel weak. As I space off into the cliffs, my mind gets lost in the rocks. All I can think of is what is about to go wrong. I feel tense and anxious. I am credited for being the only girl willing to take on the cliffs this round. They jump off the boat and I follow. Diving head first into Lake George, the water welcomes my presence.

Swimming over to the bottom of the cliff, I glance up to my task, the rocky ledges leading up to my destination. Every step of the way up nails the fear deeper into my gut. I reach the last rock, and with a helping hand up from Dylan, I am at the top. We walk around our obstacles and we catch sight of the water, we made it. No turning back now, I start panicking. The twins are the first to jump; they eagerly rush to the edge and spring off disappearing from the cliff, and entering the water. Everyone shouts for them.

It’s my turn. The count down begins: “Ready? Three…Two…One…GO!” I hesitate, but do not budge, sitting there still gazing at what is ahead of me, a long drop, then water. They instill confidence in me and start the second countdown, “You can do this! Ready? This is it! Three…Two…One…GO!” My feet push through the rough grass and hit the smooth warm rocks, still racing to the end of the rocks; my last foot slowly and gracefully leaves the edge of the rock. I soar.

Falling, I’m on my own. No one surrounds me, just air and a view. I grasp my thighs trying to stay straight. I do not want a hard impact. My heart is pounding. My head is pounding. My thoughts are pounding. I peek down at the water, at everyone watching me, cheering for me. Trying to time my last deep, desperate gasp of air, I am not thinking of anything. I feel the butterflies fluttering throughout my body. I take in my last source of air. Suddenly, the touch of the water that I have been awaiting for patiently, strikes me. The water is gently consuming my body. Nothing but water surrounds my body. Feeling at peace, I swim up through the bitter water. I arise from the water gasping for air, breathing heavily with adrenaline. I made it; I am resting in the water listening to the cheers just for me. I turn my body gazing up at my accomplishment. I just conquered the cliff. “Again!” I shout.