The Tide Knoweth No Mercy

On Wednesday, Cape Cod’s tide was particularly high. At one particular beach not far from Ryan Schenk’s workplace, the water advanced so far up the beach that the waves crashed against the tidal wall. As the waves drew back from the wall they would expose a small swath of sand, only to wash over it again after a fleeting moment.

To the women amongst us, this may seem like nothing unusual. To the men? It’s a challenge.

Ryan Schenk recognized the challenge and responded. He tossed a log onto the short-lived beach and watched carefully again and again as the tide washed back and forth. The goal was simple: As the water pulled back, Ryan would leap heroically off the jetty, sprint 10 feet across the sand, scoop up the log in his hands, and vault over the sea wall – all before the persistent waves reclaimed the beach.

Ryan Schenk leaped.

It was a perfectly timed endeavor. His foot landed on the soft sand just as the water retreated from its hold. But Ryan miscalculated the softness of the sand and instead of fearlessly dashing across the receding dry ground and retrieving the prone log, Ryan promptly fell flat on his face. Just as his chest hit the ground, the steadfast wave returned in full regalia and ended the exercise.

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Ryan Schenk as he’s falling. The wave on the left is advancing.

Mission failed.

4 thoughts on “The Tide Knoweth No Mercy

  • 12/11/2009 at 12:23 pm
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    why isn’t there a photo of him getting blasted by the wave? Thats what people want to see.

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  • 12/11/2009 at 12:57 pm
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    I’m thankful we got the picture we did. It’s rare to get a photo of such a randomly epic event, especially one that captures the anticipation of the moment so well. Thanks Anthony for being ready with your camera!!

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  • 12/11/2009 at 2:00 pm
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    But you didn’t answer my question….Is there a pic of him getting doused by the ocean?

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  • 12/15/2009 at 11:58 am
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    Kurt — no there is not. That photo was taken while I was flying through the air on the initial jump off the jetty. The lag on the iPhone is so bad, that it didn’t snap the the photo until after I landed, and was on my way down to the briny deep

    Reply

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