You've heard of planking, right? How about owling? Would you believe there is yet another silly Facebook photo trend making the rounds? Thankfully, it doesn't require you to lie face-down on train tracks or hunker on the edge of a balcony while pretending to be a bird of prey. You will, however, need a body of water, a fast shutter speed, and no shame whatsoever.

Welcome to leisure diving, the split-second capture of a midair "leisure pose" while launching oneself into a pool.

According to the amusing folks at LeisureDive.com, the pose should evoke "an airborne Corona commercial." You should have a raised elbow, a "killer leisure face," and generally give off the air of being "extreme yet relaxed."

Naturally, I had to give this whole leisure dive thing a try. 

The problem is, I don't have a giant pool handy, and even if I did, I live in the one area of the United States that isn't currently engulfed in sweltering heat or flames (apparently this summer is Opposite Weather for Seattle, because we've barely made it into the 70s). Also, I'm really more comfortable behind the camera rather than, you know, jumping to my potential death and all. So, I improvised.

Why, yes, that is a kiddie pool.

That's also my husband, saying, "I'm supposed to do what now? Can I just, like, PRETEND to be midair?"

Me: No. That is not the leisure dive way.

Husband: HURRRNGH. Does this work?

Me: Ummmm, kinda blurry. Also, the truck in the background looks hoopty.

Husband: Mmmmf.

Husband: ARRGGGH! HOW ABOUT THIS??? Oh, God! I feel stupid.

Me: HA HA HA HAAAAA. I mean, you look cool. Leisurely! Perhaps a little grim, though.

Husband: That is because I don't have an actual pool to land in.

Husband: Okay, okay! Ow! THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

Me: Oooh, not bad. Except ... well, the kids are photo-bombing you.

Husband: I hate you. And the Internet.

Husband: ALL OF MY INTERNAL ORGANS ARE RUPTURING I CAN'T FEEL MY SPINE.

Me: Best of the bunch! Great job, honey! I do think you need to work on your leisure face just a tiny bit, though.

Husband: Please. Call. 911.

So in conclusion, I recommend attempting the leisure dive in a more leisurely environment -- possibly one that includes, you know, a real swimming pool. And a softer landing.

Would you try leisure diving and then post Facebook photos of it?



Images via LeisureDive.com (top) and Linda Sharps