In my young age and then teenage years I had already gotten into' getting wet in my clothes and usually tried to get water fights & such started as often as I could. I do remember seeing dunk tanks and thought it'd be fun to do that and as a teen I walked to a small church carnival and they had a dunk tank! I hung around a bit, eating some carnival food & what not & soon I asked if I could volunteer to sit in the tank. Initially I was told sure, climb up! But as I started to take off my shoes and socks the boss bellowed, "I'm not letting just anybody in there to get hurt and sue me!" I was crushed, disappointed & angry & I think it was at least the next summer until I had another chance to get in a tank.

A church my family had attended had a yearly carnival and had their own dunk tank! So of course on the first day I just HAD to go see if I could get involved! So I asked the guy behind the barrier if he needed help, as there was some kid sitting on the seat. He let me behind this table they had set up and I was just retrieving and handing out balls to customers as he took the money. After maybe an hour he handed me his apron and cash telling me I'll be right back. He never did' come back! So all weekend long I was in charge and got lucky as a couple girls from my group of friends came by and we chatted a bit and her and her friend ended up in the tank, along with other volunteers' I corralled. And then I realized 'if I could get women in their clothes to sit on the seat we would do well. This was maybe Friday and I asked her if she could get a few more' friends to comeback with her tomorrow and bring extra sets of clothes and a few did! Man, were we busy!
But later that Saturday the seat broke and I felt I could take it home and fix it but no, somebody took charge and off it went to be welded. So we were down Saturday evening and part of Sunday. During both days I got up on the seat myself and enjoyed myself. Well, as soon as I was able I opened up the dunk tank Sunday afternoon and somehow I ended up real busy again and by George we Almost set a record for the amount of money raised and I celebrated by getting dunked myself the last thing (I was dunked ALOT) and walked home dripping but Happy!
That was the start of my fascination of dunk tanks and I've never looked back! I've been in many tanks, many times and even sat in a chair for what was called a 'flush tank' where water would fall ON the volunteer when somebody hit the target. They were okay, you got drenched just as much but it wasn't the same. Heck, I'd even settle for one of those these days! To me as far as simply getting wet there's nothing like a good ol' dunk tank! Except for the fact they are just not popular anymore! I almost never see a dunk tank at carnivals and fairs anymore and even a lot of party rental companies no longer offer dunk tanks. Booo. I'm sure there's liability issues along with the costs involved to the renters so I can see why. But it doesn't make me any less sad about it either!
Now as a last note one thing I've seen and I'd Luv to experience is a Gunge Dunk Tank! I would Jump at the chance even though I know it'd be difficult to get out I would try it in a heartbeat ! ! !