The crystal-clear water of Lake Michigan at Traverse City surprised me. Looking out at it from our hotel balcony it didn’t look like you could see straight down to the bottom until I was perched on a jet ski with my husband. It was as clear as our beloved Sanibel Island water in Florida.
Looking for some extra fun on our first visit to this part of the country, we decided to take up our hotel’s offer of trying jet skiing. My husband was a long-time snowmobiler, I was not. My family preferred skiing and jetting ourselves across snowy paths and down hills, not using gas. So, I was skeptical of ever wanting to be on a jet ski due to the smell and noise.
But with my new sports attitude of trying every sport once in tow, I jumped on the back of the jet ski allowing my husband to drive it first across the open waters. I enjoyed the spray hitting my face behind him in the back and the thrill of hitting the waves. Any nervousness about operating a motorized boat was soon gone, like the spray, and I took control after 15 minutes.
The jet ski was easier to turn than I imagined – almost too easy to turn as I jerked my husband almost off the back of it. Simply learning to adjust the speed and angle to go over waves was the only teachable part of the experience. I grew up on a lake with boats but never drove them so I knew the rules of the water, just not how to steer a small, fast one. I loved it.
In my experiences trying new sports, the ones I have enjoyed the most include speed – mountain biking, motocross, and jet skiing. Growing up skiing down mountain slopes and being part of a Junior Racing program most likely increased my love of speed. I also know I can’t go as fast as I want running, refereeing, curling, etc. so give me a new sport involving speed and I’m “raring to go!”
It wasn’t too expensive for the thrill of an hour on the water. The cost varies where you rent one but we paid $75 for one hour. We received a quick introduction, life jackets, and the boat filled with gas. We signed waivers and off we went! Sometimes trying a sport costs money. I think it is always worth it.
If you get the opportunity to jet ski, do it. Don’t just sit on the back and let someone drive you, take the wheel (aka handles) and go fast, up and down waves, letting the wind blow your hair back (unless you don’t have any like me), and smiling when the spray hits your face. I bet you love it as much as I did. Get rocking and rolling on a lake for fun the next time you can.