Editor's note:  Schatze Thorp is editor of a new column featuring readers' most wild or most heartwarming moments. Readers are encouraged to share their stories. Send your story with a photo (if possible) to Schatze Thorp at schatzethorp@gmail.com. Stories should not exceed 800 words but need not be that long and can be as short as a few sentences. This week's Wild Adventure article is submitted by Nancy Protzman, who grew up in the Bronxville area. Nancy is a familiar presence in The Reformed Church Sunday Choir, where she has been an important voice for over 40 years. 

A Wild Parasail Adventure in the Bahamas

By Nancy Protzman

Jun. 22, 2016:  Have you ever wanted to fly? I mean really fly free in the air? Now, mind you, I’ve never been the least bit athletic, and certainly not a risk-taker. But that one summer day in 2004 a friend and I threw caution to the wind and had a wild adventure we’ll never forget!

It was a clear, warm day in the Bahamas. The Norwegian Dawn had sailed from New York with 30 alumni and spouses from Westminster Choir College (Princeton, New Jersey). We were celebrating the retirement of Dr. Joseph Flummerfelt, who had been the music director at Westminster for 33 years. 

We enjoyed the pampering and delicious meals and I particularly liked the gentle rolling of the ship as we sailed. Between rehearsals for our shipboard concert we had the chance to take some excursions, first to Miami, then just off Nassau. Some of us observed sea life from a glass-bottom boat; others swam with dolphins or went scuba diving. I had taken an interesting bus tour of the Cuban area of Miami and a nature tour on a pontoon boat up the Banana River. 

When I saw that parasailing was offered off Great Stirrup Cay, I convinced my roommate, Becky, to go tandem with me. I had just seen former President Bush parachute jump out of an airplane on his 80th birthday and thought, “If he can do that, surely we could go parasailing.”

The ship docked at Great Stirrup Cay, the tiny island owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines. The “tender” boats took us to the shore. We had a swim in the clear warm water then sat on the beach until it was time to go out to the parasail boats. 

The multicolored parachutes were beautiful in the sunlight. Ours was red, white, and blue. Becky was strapped in the outside position and I was strapped in, nestled in between her legs. I felt pretty secure, but Becky admitted later to being nervous. Up we went, just like a rocket being launched, until we were about 40 feet above the ocean. 

We swayed back and forth behind the boat as it sped through the gleaming water. It was fun to watch the other parasails coming from the opposite direction and pass us. For me, it was exhilarating. Every time the boat turned, the parachute swung sideways in the wind. Poor Becky wailed, but I just giggled.

Our “flight” lasted about seven minutes--way too short for me, but Becky was relieved when we were safely back in the boat. It really was a thrill of a lifetime for both of us. When we returned to the Norwegian Dawn we impressed everybody at rehearsal with our bravery. After the trip, Becky sent me the pictures that another parasailor had taken with Becky’s camera. Now, no one could say we made the whole thing up!

Pictured here:  Nancy Protzman parasailing off Great Stirrup Cay.

Photo courtesy Nancy Protzman