What would happen if you went too far?

I watched my son dodge waves at the beach this chilly winter morning. He’d watch a wave come in, let it get within a metre or so of him, and then he’d run up the sand until he was beyond the reach of the water. Eventually, he would wait until the water was barely inches from his running shoes before commencing his retreat. And with each progressive wave, he got even bolder and cheekier, pushing his luck until inevitably the waves lapped over his shoes and he got a soaker.

He looked down at his wet shoes, socks and pants, laughed, and went right back to dodging waves.