Surfing surprise

I think the most interesting thing that’s ever happened to me is when I almost died while on vacation in Mexico. Almost two years ago my family went on vacation to Mexico for a month. It was an amazing experience besides the fact that I almost died. 

So one day me, my dad and one of my brothers decided we wanted to go surfing in the ocean. I've never really had a fear of the ocean because I’m pretty confident in my swimming abilities. We went pretty far out given the fact that at that time I was significantly shorter than my brother and dad.  to the point where the water was up to my chin and every time a wave came I had to jump or else I'd get a mouth full of salt water. 

A rather big wave was approaching and I began paddling before I could even stand up the wave smashed into my back. And I was immediately pulled under the water so I started frantically grabbing my ankle searching for the safety strap that’s connected to my board in hopes I can use it to float. I felt down my right leg, NOTHING!! and then down my left NOTHING!!! again At this point the tide was tossing me around like a rag doll. As I kicked with all my energy I found my footing on a rock or what I thought was a rock. After that I jumped up with hopes of breaking the surface so that I could breathe. And then I took a deep breath and yelled HELP!!! Right before being submerged again luckily my brother noticed and grabbed me. 

After returning to land I learned that the rock I regained my footing on was the very edge of the continental shelf!! And I was close to drowning. I've never surfed again even though I’m significantly taller and even more confident in my swimming skills. The thought of me losing my life has instilled a fear of the ocean in my brain forever.

I’m 14 years old and my birthday is April 2. I'm originally from West Virginia, but my parents decided to move to Franklin County when I was only 5. I went to school there until very recently when I transferred to North Cross. Two out of my three brothers graduated from North Cross school and have been very successful. Given that information, it was almost guaranteed that I would become a Raider. 

One of the most inspirational things that my parents have told me is, “You gotta want it.” I hope one day to be a Division I student athlete, and I think NCS will help me get there.