Pyramid Point is a tall dune, with a soft, sandy slope, but that slope is on about a 70 degree angle, about 450 feet tall, all the way down to Lake Michigan.

As you walk up the back side of Pyramid Point, a much more gradual slope, there are plenty of warning signs informing you of the dangers of trying to descend the dune to the sandy beach below.

My buddy suggested we descend the dune anyway; after all, he's done it before. He warned me, though, to not run. Just leap. Remember, don't run! Since the sand is so soft, you can take easy 30-foot jumps, landing softly in the soft sand after each one. I made a couple of jumps and then thought, "how about a couple of quick steps to get a bigger jump?"

Recall that 70 degree angle? A couple of quick steps quickly broke out into that aforementioned "don't run." Before I knew what was happening, I was in a full-bore run, tearing down the 70-degree slope. Unfortunately, such a slope is not conducive to running. My buddy said that after 50-60 feet, I went airborne.

How I didn't lose consciousness--let alone die--I don't know. My buddy said I flipped at least two complete revolutions before hitting the ground. And then I flipped like a helpless rag doll, plunging at least an additional 100 feet down the slope, before finally coming to rest, all while our girlfriends watched in horror from the top of the dune.

My buddy helped me down the rest of the way to the lake so I could wash the blood off my face--I had a big cut on my nose but fortunately no broken bones. The worst part was that it took about two weeks to get all of the sand washed out of my eyes.

At least we can all laugh about it now.

Submitted on 04/08/2009

Submitted by: Matthew Sawyer
Reference: Personal Account - 9/2/2000

Copyright © 2009 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
A perfect example of why you should actually heed warning signs and listen to the warnings of others. Thanks for a rather humorous description, Matthew.

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
LOL!!! Thanks, Matthew!

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4