I spend on average, 12 hours in a swimming pool per week. It has taken 72 classes for me to realize the chlorine is burning the hair off my arms. Can you imagine what the cholorine is doing to the hair on my head? It’s time to find my swim cap — that’s for sure.
When I began the 50 hours of training to become an instructor, it wasn’t long before I realized my stroke technique needed some serious refinement. After my first session, I called my mom completely frustrated that in the ten years of competitive swimming, I finally learned the right way to do things. I was upset at my previous coaches, teammates, & competitions — where now, I think I could have been so much better. To add to the 50 hours of re-learning proper stroke technique in the fall, I recently learned a very practical technique that I have never been able to do in my entire life — just last week, thanks to our required inservice trainings. At least I can do these things now, but it would have been so much more helpful 15 years ago when I first began to swim competitively.
I was really hesitant to have my own classes with the company. After all, I played a significant role in the development and skill refinement of these kids who wanted to swim. Yet, I wasn’t even sure of myself anymore. That is, until the completion of my first 24 classes in 3 days. In those 3 days, I met lots of kids ranging from 3-12 years old. I have also met very involved parents. In 3 days, I learned more about energy, manipulation, & encouragement than in any other experience I’ve had. Kids want to have fun & I want them to learn.
So we put on our monkey cheeks & turtle chins & tiger paddle through the water. They swallow fishies, they search for buried treasure, & go on magic carpet rides. I make them laugh when they high-5 me into the water. I laugh when they flex their muscles on their tiny arms.
But more than the fun we have swimming, I am inspired by their “I can do it myself” attitudes. I manipulate their technique, they insist on doing it themselves, and when I praise them for their good work, they want to do it again.
These kids have instilled a renewed sense of confidence in me. They’re doing these things because I can do these things. They try and try again — usually getting better with each length. Some learn faster than others, but most have a positive attitude. However, there is one Debbie Downer. She doesn’t like to do anything and doesn’t like to have fun in the water. I thought a few weeks ago, maybe some of these kids have never been prayed for — what kind of influence do I have in their lives that will help shape who they are becoming?
Kids are a culture of their own. They’re hilarious, cute, or shy. While my primary motive is teaching swimming skill, my secondary purpose is to give them an experience that they will remember. One that they will remember one day as they’re swimming in the state high school swim competition. One that continues to encourage them they can do whatever they want if they put their minds to it.
It’s a lesson I’m still learning.
