The Big Race

By Danielle T

A wet, cold mist hung over the lake. Time was crawling along.
My heart pumped rapidly, I had a million thoughts rushing through my head.
“Am I going to look like a fool?”, “Will I be too slow?”
I clutched the oar in my hands. The instructor then yelled out...
“GO!!”

Without thinking my hands started moving. The kayak started soaring through the water. The paddle swished back and forth, making ripples on the lake below me.

I looked ahead and Olivia was flying through the water only leaving an odd splash here and there.
A blast of adrenalin surged through my body which put more power into the movement of my paddle. I now sped past Olivia like a speeding bullet.
I was coming up to the halfway point, where I’d have to do a 540 degree turn.

I started getting panicky!
The halfway point was closer than ever, I lent back pushed my paddle in the opposite direction and completed the 540 degree turn.

YES!!
My face now beamed with delight. I sped to the finish line as fast as I could. Olivia had caught up and we were making our way back side by side.
My heart began to beat faster, pumping adrenalin through my body once again.
I had now picked up full speed and was only a couple of metres away from the finish.

I had made it to the finish line first with an overwhelming feeling of contentment. Olivia came in only a few seconds behind me, she was smiling for she knew she had done well.
We both congratulated each other then kayaked over to our friends.

I learnt lots while doing that race and I will never forget my triumphant win!

Written By Danielle T