
The sea hisses; the boom yanks against my grip, but I stay sheeted-in; the board rises, planning over the water. Exhilaration!
I sheet-in harder to carve-gybe as Rags taught us. The speed’s crazy. I hear Rags’ Scottish lilt, “At this point yer brain’ll be screaming, ‘No, no, I’m going tae die. But don’t listen to yer brain. Listen to meee.’”
Panic.
I finish in the water under the sail. Gripping the boom, I push up.
The wind catches the sail, pulling me back onto the board. Ecstasy! I may not have mastered carve-gybing, but I’ve discovered how to water-start.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

Dear Neil,
This makes me think of my son who’s taken up sailing over the past couple of years. I could feel the lurch and wind. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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It’s another world. A world that fills me with horror. Beautifully described.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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I’d never pictured you as an athletic and intrepid wind-surfer, Neil, but you brought it to life magnificently.
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Thanks so much
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I have never experienced anything like this.
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Now you have
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I liked the action and the thrill of mastering a water start!
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Well, he didn’t exactly master it It happened by accident.
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🙂
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Having sailed with someone like this, I can attest it’s scary/exhilirating as f***.
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It is
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good for him. i’m glad he did it.
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Thanks, plaridel
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Great story, Neil. I felt like I was right there with him.
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Thanks so much, Will
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Wow! I was right there with you. Exciting read!
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Thanks so much, Nancy
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And stay afloat! He learned that one! Exciting read, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Dale
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The full exhilaration of sailing felt throughout this short read.
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Thanks so much, James
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Learning the hard way! Nice one, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Keith
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Oh I love this. Just him and his board. Enjoying life. Lovely
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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