Filling my passport with family, travel and bliss

“Ready…Hep!”

My body, frozen in fear, leaned over the edge of the platform with shaking hands clenched to the bar.

“Hep!”

The command I was supposed to react to was once again met with inaction.

“Ready…Hep!”

Knowing that others were awaiting their turn, I took a deep breath, bent my knees, collected all of my available courage and hopped off the platform.

And just like that, I was flying high in the O.C!

SwingIt Trapeze

When I half jokingly suggested to my husband that we take advantage of a groupon deal for trapeze lessons at SwingIt Trapeze in Costa Mesa, CA, he said that it would make a great birthday gift…and to sign us both up!

My hubby ready to show his skills on the trapeze!

Although a bit nervous, I was looking forward to the challenge and thrill of this new experience.

I wondered if I would be able to conquer my fears like I did 10 years earlier, or would my 40 year old self curl up in a ball and hide.

A few days before our trapeze class, I studied various trapeze videos online to see exactly what I should expect.  Everyone made it look so easy and fun!  After awhile, I too believed that it would be a breeze!

Before we climbed the never ending staircase to the top, we practiced our swing and knee hook on a low bar.  Even on the practice bar, I couldn’t find the strength to lift my knees, but my husband did it with no problem.  Owner, Nick Selvy, said it would be easier in the air since we would have more momentum.

On our first attempt on the trapeze, the goal was to get adjusted to holding onto the bar, swinging our legs back & forth, getting into a rhythm, falling back first into the net and listening to and following instructions.

The hardest part for me was putting complete trust in a petite gal who held my harness as I leaned out over the net to reach the bar and pull it toward me.  At one point I asked repeatedly, “Do you have me?  Do you have me?  Do you have me?”  And she reassured me each time with a slight laugh that she did.

Once I grasped the bar with my chalk-filled hands, the next step was to hop gently off the platform at the sound of the command “Hep!”  After three “Hep”s, I decided it was time to take action, and I hopped slithered off the platform.

What I quickly realized was that it was extremely hard to hang on to the bar!  Upper body strength is something I lack, & so my main concern was to just hang on for dear life!

On our second and third attempts, we were supposed to hook our knees over the bar and perform a back flip dismount.  Although I felt a bit more comfortable hanging from the bar, my attempt to hook my knees over the bar was met with no success.  I did manage to do a very unique & somewhat comical back flip dismount though!

Those who were able to hook their knees and let their arms swing freely moved on to the final test…a catch!

Nick, the catcher

Although I did not graduate to “The Catch”, my brave and talented hubby proved that even he could fly through the air with the greatest of ease!  I think he found his calling!

After everyone who qualified for “The Catch” had their turn and started to leave, the instructors turned to me (in pity?) and asked if I wanted to give it one more try.  Although I was physically done for the day, I decided to see if I could at least do a proper dismount…

…and I’m happy to say, I did!

If you’d like to fly through the air with the greatest of ease (or UNease!), check out SwingIt Trapeze!  It will challenge you in every way!

SwingIt Trapeze
Located at the OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(877) 9-SWINGIT