Dario

In spite of what others believe, I may be aging. No, maturing ever so graciously. A few months ago I decided maybe it would be a good idea to start some sort of exercise regimen. I checked many options. Unfortunately, they all required some amount of physical activity. I was not looking for such a program. This of course reduced my options and narrowed my search dramatically. My wife Vickie had been going to this water aerobics class at The El Dorado Pool for a while. Even though this required her to be away from me for a couple hours, she was determined not to miss a class. She did seem to enjoy it so. Maybe I’ll try it. And the best part, how difficult can it be? A bunch of mature women flailing in the water for a few minutes between all the rumor stuff that they love to jab about. So, one day I mentioned to my dearest that I may want to go with her to aerobics. You know, share time together. I could see the excitement in her eyes. I know she was thinking “Wow more time to spend with my Darryl. This is so awesome”.

Water Aerobics at the El Dorado Pool

Well, something to that effect. So the next day donned in my colorful swim attire and off we go to experience this so called exercise aerobics together. This is gonna be great. Raise my leg a couple of times, wave a hand to the music, go through the motions. These women are going to see moves they have not seen in a long time. Turns out, I may have been wrong!! When we got to the pool the class was just starting. All the ladies single file entered the water. The cold, cold, frigid water. When my foot touched the first ice cube I knew I was dealing with some pretty tough cookies! They were all still talking to each other as if they were walking into a 90 degree pool. Not some freezing iceberg filled reservoir. Not one waivered. They all got into what I decided must be assigned places and awaited the instructions. The instructor may have been a retired drill sergeant! Anyway, she stepped up to the waiting group, gave a few instructions that I didn’t really understand Then the action really started. These women were tremendous specimens of agility and grace. Music pounding some tune from the 60’s all I could do was stand there in awe. One, two, three, faster! A few more instructions from madam sergeant and they are all at the pool wall. “Grab your Big Noodle” Ms. Patton yells. This was a mystery to me. I had my hopes up for a second, but a noodle is obviously not what I thought it might be! By the way, did you know it is possible to put one leg up on the pool deck with the other one planted solidly on the bottom? Well it is!!! Then another yelp from El Capitan. They switch legs, now the other leg goes up. But now, they are bending forward and touching their toes that are on the pool deck with their elbows!! I swear they were!!! I was so intimidated all I wanted to do was hide. You know like a couple of major parts of my anatomy were doing. Hey it was cold!!

Water Aerobics

Now, I watched in amazement as these transformed women, who, just a few minutes earlier seemed so nice—so innocent—so vulnerable are now suddenly following these orders with so much ease and dexterity. I now feel it should be mandatory for all men attend at least one class and watch these special women. Now, when I see one or more of these ladies at karaoke, or the store, or wherever, I give them a wide, wide berth. They have earned my respect and admiration. If they ran in packs— Well, I don’t even want to think about that possibility. I still go to water aerobics.

The Ladies of El Dorado

But now I take the class and these amazing women far more seriously than before. The weaker sex??? Right!! Whoever started that rumor has never seen these women do their thing. They have never seen them perform some of these difficult and yet graceful moves. All the while discussing the latest recipes or restaurants in town. Doing it all with so much class, enthusiasm, and can do spirit that I have not often seen. I’ve learned first hand that these women can do anything they set their minds to do. Go get em ladies! You have earned this guys respect for sure!! I consider it an honor to share the pool and class with you.