Five meters off the ground, I stood on the platform, approximately eight inches wide. My left hand held the side post, the right held the flying swing. Staring directly ahead, I saw the 'cradle'. That's where I was going. My waist harness was fastened and I was ready to go.
Six months ago, after weeks of pondering, I signed up for flying trapeze school. This was one of the best ideas I had ever conjured up! Once a week for two hours, I'd join five others to learn trapeze tricks at Circus Oz. A fascinating class, the first I attended made me realise what a wonderful escape this was from the world. You really have to concentrate hard on what you're doing, right then and there. Listen and instruct your body, let go of fear and chuck the tricks.
After two terms Id build up quite a number of tricks that I could attempt, I was close to mastering a few but the most recent was the 'Alibaba'. Being quite an advanced trick, Id had a few attempts and I was getting closer and closer each time. The key to the Alibaba is a strong swing, height, power and as with most tricks getting the timing right. My classmate Julz had already succeeded twice on this trick tonight.
So there I was, on the platform, eyes fixed on the cradle. That's where I was going. Firing up I took the leap and launched onto the swing. Kicking my legs backward under the platform, then a tremendous beat forwards. I had the power in my swing. Reaching the top I took another swing backward, a strong beat, I had the height. The final beat forward with all my might. I thrust myself forward releasing my hands to fly forward. Soaring through the air the whole world stopped and I was flying. There I was sitting in mid air, I could see the cradle, closer than ever before. Arms outstretched I reached as far forward as possible.
SPLAAATTT! I hit the mats with the hardest thud. Splattered out like a pancake. I had missed. Again. I'll try again next week, in my last class for the term.
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