Swimming in the Ole' Swimmin' Hole

It's that time of year again...time for sunscreen and towels that smell like chlorine. School was out on May 27th and we started swimming lessons on June 1.

Zac is in Level 3 this year. He's getting into the real stuff...the freestyle, backstroke, diving, butterfly. We lucked out big time because he is only one of two kids in his class. So he's practically getting private lessons for the group price. He has really blossomed this year and I've seen a huge improvement in his swimming technique. A natural pool rat, he loves to be in the water and would be happy to while away hours at the pool.

Seth and Blane are in the beginners class, Levels 1/2 (Zac wanted me to put in the distinction that Blane is in Level 1 and Seth is in Level 2). Unfortunately, we did not luck out on numbers in that class. I was secretly horrified when 7 preschoolers and a 6 year old showed up. The poor little lifeguard did her best but she was simply outnumbered.

The next day she had reinforcements--a second lifeguard came to help. This made a big difference, but it's still a large class--10 (sometimes 11) kids, all but two who are under 5.

Seth is more comfortable in the water this year, but he's still struggling with getting his head wet. He just hates it, and that's really the thing that is holding him back. We told him that his goal for the summer was to feel comfortable just going under--no strokes necessary. We put the fire under him by offering incentives for his hard work. The last two sessions he has made a concerted effort to get his whole head wet, which is a big improvement for him. I think if we can just get him comfortable with being under the water, the strokes will follow with much more ease.

Mr. B is learning, but is basically just blowing bubbles and kicking at this point. I think we may try a later session this summer, when the class sizes are typically smaller. For Seth, we'll probably do some private lessons after the Grandparents Tour.