It all started with an invitation. Three days in Deerhurst at my friend Darcy's cottage. The air was still humid and hot, and days on the lake with one of my best friends sounded amazing. We had driven for hours before arriving at her cottage late at night. The sky was coloured a deep blue, black colour. It was filled with stars and the moon hung high in the sky. We spent days and nights at the lake on their boat or at a small beach that we visited often.

It was on Dalrymple Lake that it happened. I had spent two days already at the cottage and we were going to the lake again. The water was a navy blue and you couldn’t see the bottom. The sky was bright blue, but bits were covered by the light grey clouds.

Darcy, her cousin and I were the first to volunteer to get on board and we were all excited. All three of us climbed in, excited and happy. A storm was coming later and the visit to the cottage was nearing an end and we were all ready for one last trip on the lake.

Soon, the motor came to life and we were moving, slowly but surely. Soon, we were all yelling and screaming of happiness. The wind blew our hair into our faces and water was splashing on us, but we didn’t care because we were having so much fun.

We stayed in the tube for a long while, enjoying the lake. By the end, our throats were sore and we were only a little tired. They pulled us to the boat where they asked if we were ready to stop, but we weren’t.

We all got out to rest for a short while and when we were ready, we all decided to go back in for another go. This time, the tube was flipped around. As we got in and the boat moved slowly, and water began filling the tube.

We didn’t worry, it had happened before. Then, the boat began gaining speed and in a flash, the water rushed in again. It was cold, but I wasn’t scared. I could feel the tube sink in the middle, the two sides rising and we were pulled beneath the water’s surface.

I felt myself being pulled under, a current-like force pulling me and soon, I was away from everyone else and away from the tube. I didn’t feel any panic or fear and I found myself pushing to the surface of the water.

When I surfaced, the boat was about five metres away and they were pulling Darcy and her cousin in on tube. I swam through the water and noticed that the water was calmer now. It was still dark and I still couldn’t see the bottom, but it was calmer and the wake from the boat was gone by now with no waves in sight except the smaller ones that seemed to pass through me.

I swam hard and fast to the tube and when I made it, I could barely hold on to the handles when trying to pull myself up. My hands were cold and slippery, but Darcy gripped my arm and finally, I was able to pull myself up.
Once inside the tube, I began to laugh. It was a hysterical sort of laughter, something that had my eyes watering in seconds. I could hear my heartbeat. They pulled us in and by then, my throat was sore from laughter and the cold water that had invaded my throat and then we headed in.

I didn’t feel any fear from the accident, only exhilaration and when I recounted the tale to my family, I still felt only excitement at the memory. Now, I will forever remember Dalrymple Lake and the exhilaration and happiness I felt.