Pole Position - This Ain’t NASCAR – It’s Nassau

Once upon a long while ago, I had the good fortune of chasing some sailfish (and some tennis balls) down to the warm and clear waters in the vicinity of Nassau, Bahamas before Freeport and other destinations became the new places to go.

Good rum was only $1.50 a quart, the beaches weren’t so crowded and most vacationers there felt oh so privileged, yet this was still one of the cheapest vacations outside of the continental United States.

One day, upon the beach, after playing football with sponges we had found in the shallow ocean waters, we came upon another group of Americanos playing volleyball on the beach.

With the rum flowing so easily under the influence of the U.S. dollar at that time, the beautiful weather and the near transparent waters of the Caribbean (technically not), all spirits were high.

Beach volleyball now became the game and rackets were replaced with closed fists for the volley and the open palm for the spike (overhead).

Most on the sand were well above sea level by now and playing with much vigor (rum) as we took to court against some New Yorkers.  There was no way they were going to beat a bunch of Sandlappers from South Carolina – we grew up in the sand.

We were up by many points, with no need for any dramatic shots, when suddenly a friend of mine decided to stab at a shallow ball barely clearing the net and nearly going wide.

Unfortunately this was not one of those makeshift volleyball nets one would buy from the local sporting goods stores or K-Mart.  These poles may as well have been planted there when Black Beard last passed through and were probably as sturdy as the cannons of his ship.

He struck the ball with great speed and velocity, about the same pace at which his head crashed into the net pole.

Fortunately we had enough fresh ocean sponges to cool his wound and ample rum to quell his pain.

We did win, and that was enough.

But, we must remember.  Beautiful skies, the clearest of waters, warm temperatures, a kind breeze and ample rum are sometimes meant to be enjoyed in more idle activities, ignoring the urge to bring ourselves into competition.

Nah, what a silly thought.

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