As a parent, one of my favourite things to hear is the sound of a baby laughing. It's not a regular laugh -- it's more like a deep, full-body, convulsion, and just thinking about it makes me smile. But just like diapers and one-piece pajamas, children eventually outgrow it... or at least that's what I thought.
I'll never forget the first time we sat down as a family to watch a show called Wipeout. It was the perfect blend of courage and catastrophe; hard proof that humans may be ridiculously clumsy but also possess a relentless spirit. That night, while watching contestants get smashed around the course, the crazy baby laughter returned... and the kids liked it too! We were instant fans. So it was an easy decision for me to apply for Wipeout Canada last June.
The journey was an emotional roller coaster. It started as something fun, but quickly turned into a way to show my children that they could achieve anything they want in life if they work hard enough for it. I spent a considerable amount of time on my application and audition video -- just ask my wife -- and felt confident upon submission. That was until Wipeout Canada announced that over 44,000 others shared my dream and had also applied. Ouch!
When I was requested to attend the Toronto callback I was jazzed up again, until I arrived at the Convention Centre and was sitting beside the likes of Tessa Bonhomme, Phil Demers, Joel Sutherland and Halley Van Muyen... Seriously, how could my high yellow socks and super cool headband compete with their greatness?
Then, a few long weeks later it came. That magical phone call -- thank you, Dila! -- inviting me to be a part of Wipeout Canada's inaugural season. I couldn't believe it! I was going to meet and compete against nineteen of the most amazing people in the country, and best of all, I was going to run the epic Wipeout Canada course! Pure elation!
The experience was beyond my expectations. I'll never forget rolling into the Wipeout Complex and watching twenty grown adults rushing one side of the bus, squishing their faces against the window just to catch a glimpse of the iconic set. We looked like bunch of fourth graders on our very first field trip. The course itself was bigger, higher, slicker and so much more difficult then I imagined. Truly epic!
My goal was never to win the $50,000 (although who wouldn't love that?) -- but I definitely had my sights set on the Wipeout Zone. To sit at the top of Killer Surf and give a shout-out to my three children, Hailie, Ty and Luke, and to thank them for inspiring me. After that, I figured, it really wouldn't matter how I finished -- just that I finished. Tune in this Sunday, June 5th to see if I achieved my goal and to meet my incredible Wipeout Family. I promise you, you'll laugh like a baby again.
Visit Mike's "Crazy Legs" blog at WipeoutMike.ca