Was coming off Mille Lacs by myself a few years ago late on the sunday night of the 2nd weekend of the season at the Malmo ramp. As I pulled up to the dock there’s another boat on the other side with a gentlemen sitting at the wheel and holding on to the dock. I assume he’s waiting for someone to back in a vehicle. As I’m getting out of my boat he starts yelling for someone. I’m now standing up on the dock tying my boat to a cleat and here comes about an 8-10 year old running down the ramp and out onto the dock at full speed and he trips and throws the best cross body block you’ll ever see into me and knocks me into the 46 degree water. The waters barely 2′ deep but I was caught completely by surprise and wearing bibs and a parka that now weigh about 200 lbs it was a struggle getting back out of the water.
So it turns out the kid went to take a leak and the old man was a little impatient waiting for him to return and hold the boat while he went for the truck. Now he’s screaming at the kid, I’m scrambling to peal off the cold wet gear and the kids balling.
Dad finally settled down, apologizing over and over and I was OK telling the kid to relax, that everything was fine and they helped me load my boat. I really felt bad for the kid. It did cost me a truck remote but now days it’s just a comical memory.