Descriptive Essay

Need for speed
Hydroplane racing is the most amazing feeling in the world if you like the feeling of speed and the roaring sound of an engine behind you. My family is huge into racing and hydroplane boats are just one of them. Just stepping on to the smooth, glossy, deck of a freshly painted boat on a hot summer day sends shivers down my spine. There isn’t a better picture in my mind then a summer trip going to a boat race in a different state. The excitement of knowing you’re going to get out of the state, with all the last minute engine checks and making sure you’re not forgetting any tool you may think you will need before hitting the open road. The drive is always the best just relaxing lounging around in the R.V. and taking time to visualize the sounds, smells, course, and of course the people that you will be spending your next three days with. Nothing there but open water and the campers, roughing it in what we call the sticks of the summer with your good friends.
Arriving at the boat race and in rushes the sound, smells of all the trucks and R.V’s driving around in the grass, the sweet smell of the water mixed with the sweet sugary smell of carnival food from the concession stands where you know everyone from all around is going to be sitting and watching you. Jumping out of the R.V and giving huge hugs to the family and friends you have not seen all winter long while trying to catching up on all the news we need to tell each other. When getting the boat ready to be placed in the water so dad can make sure it’s running just right, just to get the load down on the smooth or rough feel of the course and what he thinks should be done to have fun, win, and not get hurt.
The radio static you get in your ears while checking the radios inside the boat and making sure the crew on land can hear you. Climbing into a fire proof suit and a full life jacket, when zipped all up you fit just snug in the cockpit of the boat as to make sure you still have enough room to snap the steering wheel into place. When that shiny wood finished bottom of the boat leaves the trailer and touches gently down into the water the game is on. Having the little boys that like playing in the water all day offer to take you out to the sun kissed deck of the boat so you don’t get wet before getting in. the snug feeling of the helmet fitting just right, the harness has you strapped down tight and you are able to hear the people over the radio because the race is about to begin.
Being strapped down tight and my dad talking to me from shore as he counts down the time to when the start gun will be fired. 5…4….3…2…1… my mom holds up her fingers by my window so there is visibility to some form of a clock to see for the countdown. As the numbers come down to one you hear her hit the deck of the boat telling me the gun was shot and I am all set for the open water. Looking at the red switch to start the oil pressure as my hand goes to switch it up reveling another switch that gets flicked up to revile the smooth low sound of the pump turning on. While watching the oil gage as it moves up slowly telling you, you almost have enough power to start the boat.
Once that needle hits the 50 reaching for the start button to press it down and let the loud roar of the engine be the only thing the people hear. All you hear is the vroom while there is a slight vibration as you start to give it gas. The water is starting to splash up on the windshield just long enough till you get it up on plane. While riding the gentle glide of the air under you looking out your side view mirrors you see your rooster tail, of water looking higher than some of the trees around you.
The smooth skipping feeling of just barley having the water right underneath you, you can see nothing but open water and the people in front of you if any at all. The 5 minute gun is in progress as you ride around the course and everyone establishes there lane. Watching for the seconds to count down looking at all of the people that have come to watch you have fun. 5…4…3…2…1… and up goes the green flag as your speeding by the checkered booies, the sound of the wind humming from around the seams of the window just wanting to bust in. The gentle hop on top of the water. The gas pedal is pushed down as far as it can go only letting off a very small amount for the corners.
After 5 exciting and thrilling laps you bring the boat back to shore where the crew is waiting in the water to bring you to a complete stop. The view of everything slowing down and coming back to life is like spinning in a circle for a while then just sitting on the floor while everything around you feels like it’s still moving. Water gently splashing up on the deck of the boat as you comes to a stop. Opening the cockpit, the release of the harness, popping the helmet off of your head and ripping the duck tape off your face because it was holding in your head phones inside the helmet. Waiting for the crane to come to you, as you wrap the sling in the metal frame so the crane can pick up the boat evenly, and take it back to the waiting trailer on shore. As you make it to shore everyone is congratulating you on how good you looked out there and not blowing up the engine. Back on land things calm down as the day goes on one more time you get to go back out onto the water and relive the thrill all over again.