Learn to Shallow Dive

My buddy, Zig, mentioned shallow diving on his blog this morning and indicated you may want to ask me about this ultra sport. OK. The first thing we need to review is that we are not talking about this so called sport of shallow diving which is as much a sport as TV wrestling. We are talking about the true sport of shallow diving that requires a combination of skill, courage, and athleticism.

Here are the basic instructions:

1. 1. Step1
      

      Stand at poolside and grip your toes on the edge. Your feet should be about six inches apart.

   2. Step2
      

      Bend at your knees and waist. Reach your arms down to the side of the pool, but keep your gaze on the opposite side of the pool.

   3. Step3
      

      Swing your arms up in back of your body almost to shoulder level; then reverse and swing them forward.

   4. Step4
      

      Thrust forward with your legs and push off with your toes. Spring off and out from the wall.

   5. Step5
      

      Leap forward parallel to the water, stretching your arms far out in front of you and your legs behind you.

   6. Step6

      Drop your arms and head slightly just before you reach the water so that you strike the water at a shallow angle.

   7. Step7

      Glide just below the surface of the water until you feel your speed begin to diminish.

2. Something to think about:

   - If you are standing on a bridge eight feet over the water it is much different that gripping the edge of a swimming pool with your toes.

   -Your dad's demonstration dive may have looked easy because he learned from past experience.

   - If the river bottom is only five or six feet down and loaded with sharp rocks it could be a problem on your first attempt. You could scrape your hands, wrists, arms, chest, and gash your head on the sharp rocks if your dive is not shallow enough.

   -Scraping and cutting yourself as descibed above could send women and children running from the water as well as require stitches. However, later you will have a great story to tell when people ask about the scar on your forehead.

   Things you will need:

   -Swimsuit

   -Swimming Cap (optional)

   -Goggles (optional, but it sure is nice to see sharp rocks as you approach them)

   -Towel

   -Extra Swimsuit

Technology is Wonderful

I am actually posting this from my Blackberry. It does limit me somewhat on
the amount of posting that I can do quickly.

Look for more "quick posts" in the future.

Mission Opportunities

In the summer of 1989, I had the opportunity to travel to South Africa as part of a team representing Oral Roberts University. One of the places we visited during our stay was the country of Lesotho (pronounced Li Soo Too). I spent eight weeks on the mission field that summer and have kept most of the momentos from the journey in a special memory box.

A conversation or two this week brought back memories of my trip. Lesotho is unique in that the country is essentially an island in the middle of South Africa. It is the southernmost land locked country in the world. The country is currently suffering greatly from AIDS/HIV. The disease affects nearly 30% of the population, one of the highest rates in the world. There are several important orphanages operating in Lesotho to help care for children left behind. One of the young ladies from our church may have the opportunity to go and help at one of the orphanages this summer.

I will add a few photos of my time there when I get a few extra minutes to post them.

My buddy Paul just put up blog post #1000. It is a masterpiece.

Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac... It's in the hole! It's in the hole! It's in the hole!
Congrats Paul!

Steve Trivia

Due to some minor sinus issues, my voice sounds like one of the following Brady kids in this clip from your childhood memories.

Toys for Men

ARRRRRGGGGGHHHH, ARRRRRGGGGGHHHH, ARRRRRGGGGGHHHH

Killer Prayer Tips