I’m kind of fidgeting around as Ninja steps to the edge and I actually miss his flop, I just catch this huge plume of water shooting skyward and the crowd going wild. I turns out I never actually see ANY of Ninja’s flops but the Splash-Plume-Applause routine would be repeated throughout the afternoon. “Perfect Score!!” Marley announces with perhaps just a little TOO much enthusiasm. I’m thankful that she’s ONLY the scorekeeper/rules judge/booking VP/resident goddess and wonder if my bribery of her couldn’t have been better used elsewhere…Ninja has rocked the first 10 (which by our convoluted scoring structure was actually a 36!
) of the day and I’m seeing some difficulty working my way into the top four even if I nail my execution plan. There is, after all, a huge hole in the plan given the judging criteria. Better hope those bribes were effective…
I’ve kind of guesstimated how long it will take me to get ready and how long the flops are taking and think I better get in the prep room. Brasi and I scoped out the pool shower and changing room before the flop and I head there. There IS a problem… I’m going to have to walk around three quarters of the pool to get to the flop launch. That is going to be a LONG ways in my get up. I start with the flippers, full size ScubaPro flippers designed to insure I eat pavement momentarily. I tie a shark kite around my chest. A poor substitute for a manatee love pillow, I know. Sorry, classic oversell. I hear Brasi holler, “Mr. Booger!” and I pop my head out the door to see a massive spread eagle drop. Impressive. And unhelpful.
I continue with the prep as Booger’s score is announced. A couple of kiddie animal float rings around the waist, these concern me and rightfully so. Good score for Booger, a 33, and Sandie is up. I pull on a shower cap and swim goggles on my forehead and catch Sandie doing some crazy Flashdance routine before laying it ALL out there. Awesome woman, love and respect, can’t wait to night dive with you at Catcha. As our lovely Tizzy commented so perfectly, “Sorry Babe…” She nails style but gets dinged on both splash and impact. I’m pulling on baby arm floats and opening a package of dishwashing gloves when Brasi announces me and someone is flinging the door open.
