The Trapeze- Safety Net Please

On the Santa Monica Pier there are many activities. There are many things to buy, food to eat, an aquarium, and even an amusement park. Basically any time of the year the weather is great and the view is amazing.  The Trapeze School on the boardwalk caught my eye. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to try it. Since childhood I have been fascinated with acrobats. A lot of children are when they first go to the circus, it's amazing to see people twist and contort their bodies in the air.  Flying around on really tall swing sets and accomplishing death defying stunts.

I went over immediately, the people in my group followed behind, probably curious as to what I was thinking or wondering if I would really go through with it. I had already paid and filled out the paper work before a couple of them noticed. "You're really going to do that?" and "That's really high".  Derek, one of my friends in the group, offered to take the video with my camera.

First, I was suited up with what felt like a corset, but it was more like a big belt. It surrounded my middle and had hooks on it. I put it on eagerly. I was given chalk for my hands, like a gymnast and then I was instructed. They explained to me the words they used were Romanian words to describe the way I stand, when I jump off, and when I let go.  The ladder was really high, it didn't seem like it at first, but as I climbed the ladder I realized it was like being on top of a house or small building. It must have been at least 20-30 ft in the air. The ladder was rickety and it was secured to the side of the platform. Once on the platform I looked out and I could see the beach and the ocean. It was beautiful. I also looked down and could see the safety net below me, which scared me a little, but made me feel safer at the same time.

The instructor hooked up my corset to the safety lines. Then after given my instructions again, she pulled the bar to me and I grabbed it.  I hopped off the platform and dangled in the air from the bar. As I swung back and forth on the bar I realized it wasn't that scary, but gravity was a tough lady. I could not bring my legs up. I felt extremely heavy and I had to use every muscle in my body to even try to lift my legs.  It was hard. The harder part was letting go, even though the safety net was below me, it was frightening. I knew it was time and I let go of the bar and fell into the net. I didn't do it the way she told me too, I couldn't just fall into it, I felt out of control and fell into in forwards instead of backwards.

I did the trapeze twice, I would have done it a third time (cause I paid for three) but the group was in a hurry to leave and I was getting sore. It was amazing how many muscles in my stomach I didn't know that I had and how awful it felt for several days. I probably should have only gone once. If I ever find another one or I go back to Santa Monica, I will go again.


See the video and learn more about the Santa Monica pier:

http://www.santamonicapier.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5U7IxTUX7k