Wetlook World Forum

When I arrived the sun was shining and there were people around, so I decided to behave - for the moment. I did what many "normal" people do: I took off my shoes, rolled up my pants below my knees and got soaked halfway up my thighs anyway, taking the time to dodge waves at exactly the wrong moment, finding the deepest spots of some channels through the sand and doing a little splashing. Not too much: I was still performing my "normality" act. Only my insane smile could have given me away so far.

The sun left together with all the people, leaving the beach just for me. I put on the sweater (it was getting chilly) and my shoes. Putting on shoes on a sandy beach is a difficult task for many people. They try to rinse off one foot in the water, put on the shoes while hopping on one foot, then trying to perform the whole routine with the other foot. I'm quite good at that routine, having good balance, but why bother? I sat down in the shallow water, soaking the back of my pants, rinsed off my feet and put on my shoes, soaking them immediately. I stood up, feeling the water cascade down my legs, checking if the back of my shirt and sweater were wet enough (you can't be too sure) then took a little run through the waves. Running is great! It gives an enormous amount of splashing, soaking at least your legs and arms, but you never know what more. I like the surprise-factor of that. Once more I sat down with a big "splat" in the small waves, opened my backpack for a can of beer and a cigarette, and took the time to enjoy the last fading colors of the sun.

By then I was fully soaked, but still not cold, and still feeling too dry. I must have spent at least an hour playing like a child: Running through the water, attacking waves, laying down and feeling the waves stream through my clothes, leaving sand everywhere. For a while I just lay still, with my eyes closed, just enjoying the feel of the water - the softhanded mistress that can speak so soothingly...

Then I made a little detour, inspired by Mark: I TOOK MY CLOTHES OFF! Not all of them, I'm not that crazy. I just took off everything below the waist, leaving only my shirt and sweater on, then lay back down. Actually, it was quite nice, feeling the waves caressing my thighs and privates. I could almost understand people who swim naked! Thanks for the tip, Mark! Still, it was nice to put my clothes back on, thoroughly soak them once more, then continue the walk.

It was late when I headed back for my car. Just before leaving the beach I wrung some water out of my clothes (not too much, that would be a waste) to make my appearance more or less acceptable. There are lights on the way to the parking lot, and there's always people around. Most people didn't notice anything strange. There was just an old couple, staring open-mouthed and wide-eyed. They didn't even return my polite greeting. I chuckled about them while I put the waterproof cover over my seat, rinsed the sand of my shoes with a bottle of water (without taking them off) then started the drive home, still soaked.

I just arrived home. My clothes have dried out a bit, but they feel nice and sticky from the salt and the algae. The faint smell of seawater is still around me.

But right now I'm longing for a shower and some dry clothes. Even THAT feeling can be nice, every once in a while!

Reg