I recently tried out the extreme sport of waterboarding.  I’ve always been an adrenaline junkie, and am an accomplished kite surfer and paraglider, so when some acquaintances picked me up for a weekend of waterboarding, I was stoked!

 I was a bit hesitant at first, as I didn’t have any gear.  But I was assured everything I deserved would be provided.  After a few hours drive, our van parked inside a warehouse. I’m not sure where the warehouse is, as there were no windows in the back (my associates like to keep their best spots private).  

The waterboard was set up in a small alcove.  It looked a lot like a modified inversion table, like the ones used to ease back pain.  My buddies wasted no time in strapping me onto the table and into the safety harness.  Then they inverted me head down at a 45 degree angle. As the pressure released from my discs and spine, I could feel my circulation improving.  My lungs opened, and I felt a surge of energy.

 My comrades folded a dishtowel and put it over my face.  Then they slowly poured water over it.  As soon as the towel was saturated, water began to leak into my nose and throat.  I began bucking almost immediately.  The water rolled straight into my sinuses and lungs, and I was reduced to pure primal instinct.  I was drowning, and my endorphins were on fire!  My buds decided this would be a good time to play Truth or Dare, pulling the towel off just long enough to shout questions into my face.  I really wanted to try Dare, but I guess it would have been a hassle to unstrap me.  I spent most of the day waterboarding. None of my friends even got a chance to try before we packed up. How to waterboard for fun and torture.

It’s impossible to describe the rush of waterboarding, but the effects are still noticeable several weeks later.  I don’t think I’ll be doing it again soon, but my experience has encouraged me to try other extreme sports..like flying jumbo jets or crop dusters.  

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