our favorite student

I am the original instructor of the Carter Ski School. My first students were my three girls who have delighted me with their tenacity and skill on the water. They were quickly initiated as instructors themselves and over the years, I think that we have taught dozens of friends to ski. We have skied at dawn with the dolphins and at dusk with the alligators. We have skied in almost every month of the year, with the possible exceptions of October and February. The waters of Florida hold numerous articles of our clothing and jewelry. Hence, the rule, "Do not take anything on the jet skis that you are not willing to lose." We have skied in the wind and rain, which we don't recommend, but luckily, we have plenty of sun. We have skied over huge waves and in very choppy water, but of course, we are always on the lookout for flat water and cannot believe the rudeness of anyone who would disturb it before we can glide over it ourselves. We have skied in the Atlantic Ocean and spent hundreds of hours on the intra-coastal. Then, when we moved north, Lake Dalhousie became our ski destination. Ultimately, we have made our own little Lake Louise our docking point. What it lacks, we think is made up for by the convenience of a two minute walk. We look forward to the tan and strong bodies that will inevitably result by the end of the summer, albeit with a little negative anticipation of the sore muscles and sunburns that will pave the way. Brianna is quickly following in the tradition of her older sisters. We actually purchased the jet skis ten summers ago. When Brianna was three she rode on Melanie's back, while Melanie skied. Now Brianna is working hard to learn to slalom ski herself. We have many memories that we continue delight in. As the years have passed and the girls are mothers themselves, we look forward to a second generation of skiers.

In every class it seems there is always a favorite student that warms the heart of the teacher, or in this case, the teachers. The Carter Ski School is no different in that regard. After years of coaxing, the girls finally got their dad to try skiing again on two. Melanie spent what seems like the better part of a day encouraging his efforts until he was successful. He was happy with two and was unmoved by our pleas for him to move onto one. He wondered what the point was when he was enjoying himself? Three summers later, he finally succumbed to the pressure and learned to slalom. You won't catch him on two these days! Although he is our favorite student, he has also joined the ranks of the Carter Ski School Instructors.



At the end of a beautiful run. Wahoooooooo!