I think jet skis are annoying. It is a water motorbike causing noise, waves and stink. Whether I’m swimming, sitting at the shore or sailing in catamaran, these jet skis rouse resentment and fear in me.

One does not need to be able to do anything special in order to rent such a thing. I also tried it but after 15 minutes it seemed boring in comparison to a sailing boat, canoeing or just swimming.

During the holidays I went catamaran sailing. It was nice and windy, just the wind gusts were a bit mean and caused trouble to me. Suddenly a group of teenagers on jet skis appeared. They circled around my catamaran as if I were a top. It annoyed and scared me. 

These guys had no idea how a catamaran can react and how to navigate it. They were too close and caused waves, which did not make it any easier to navigate. Suddenly they disappeared again. I got into the trapeze and sailed on one blade what the wind gave. They returned. Suddenly one was so close that I could see his dragon tattoo. Oh my god, I thought, that’s not good and the following wind gust in combination with my non-attention gave the rest. I capsized and we touched. I was really afraid. Afraid that the jet ski will hurt me. Afraid that the catamaran will be damaged. He drove on. I was in one piece, the ship was in one piece. The jet ski circled around me like a vulture. I didn’t care about it anymore. The surge of adrenalin which I got from capsizing was sufficient for fast and determined acting. I was able to turn the boat and sailed back to the shore. 

When I had changed and was about to leave, I saw a group on the beach in a very agitated discussion. They were standing next to the jet ski. I went closer. I listened to the discussion in Pidgin English. It was the group which had hassled me. The guy with the dragon tattoo was in the centre. His jet ski had a scratch in the paint. Apparently either the metal mast or another part of the catamaran had slightly scratched the jet ski and the Thai lessor wanted an extortionate amount as compensation. 

One should not enjoy other people’s misfortune. But I have to admit that I felt satisfaction. Light-hearted I walked away unrecognised towards the sunset.