Last Swim Meet and Lesson
Some are probably sick of hearing me talk about swim team and swimming lessons, but I just have to crow one more time. My kids are awesome. I am totally proud of them. They met this long-term challenge with so much courage and perseverance.
Lucas raced in three races last Friday at his final swim meet. He worked HARD all summer. He attended 29 practices (out of 32) and two swim meets. The practices he missed were missed because of illness. Going to swim practice four days a week for eight weeks was a lot, and he did so after long days of camp. It was sometimes a struggle and he sometimes wanted to give up, but he kept at it and finished with flying colors, and now he feels great about his accomplishment.
Here’s Lucas warming up for his meet.
Most of the kids just started diving this summer; they have a lot to learn still. 😉
At the end of the meet, the kids got to jump off the high dive. So brave!
As far as results go, well, Lucas’s team came in second during the 100-yard relay. Lucas finished smack in the middle of the pack in both of his other two races. Not the fastest, not the slowest.
This summer Asher went to 30 20-minute swimming lessons, which he hated at first and learned to enjoy. He also learned how to swim—at least a little ways to get to the side of the pool. He learned streamline position and kicking and floating and blowing bubbles and diving for things underwater.
He can use a kick board or a noodle now and can jump into the pool from the edge or diving board and swim to his instructor.
And he learned that if you work really hard, you can have a lollipop.
I spent about 57 hours poolside and driving so they could do this. It was hard for me to drag them unwillingly along, especially on those hot days when I didn’t want to go either. It was hard to hear “I hate swim team. I wish you would just let me quit.” And it was hard to say in reply, “I’m sorry you feel this way. You made a commitment. And besides, Wilsons don’t quit.” To Asher’s almost constant plea, “WHY do we have to do swimming lessons? Why?” I learned to answer simply, “Because it’s summertime.” Somewhere around the sixth week he stopped asking that. Phew!
Many thanks to the two grandmas who took the boys to swim a handful of times so I didn’t have to do it. That help was a sanity-saver!
We’re all feeling pretty accomplished.
August 2, 2010 at 4:21 pm
is this a membership-only pool? or could i go there if i wanted? these pictures make me REALLY want to go swimming. can we come over?
August 2, 2010 at 9:43 pm
How exciting! This is a wonderful accomplishment for the kids. You are such a good mom. 🙂
August 3, 2010 at 8:44 am
Great Accomplishment! Older sis, baby brother and I all did swimteam every summer growing up in Arden Park. And although it was at least 2 summers before I was not DEAD LAST at every darn race I lived for swim team. Oh yes, I am *very* familiar with the outside lanes – I didn’t get to swim in the middle lanes until about my 5th summer (age 13). “Dead last”; as in, the first summer the other racers were out of the pool and drying off before I got to the end.
All our family friendships started there and the people we still talk about and check in on every year or so are the families we met through the Arden Park Dolphins.
August 3, 2010 at 11:06 am
I’m glad swimming was such a great experience for you and your family! Sounds like you have some wonderful memories of it. Did it feel like a slog for a while when you first started? I think this is a good sport for Lucas, but of course, that will be up to him. I’ve told him that we don’t have to decide about doing swim team again until next summer.
August 3, 2010 at 11:07 am
It’s the American River College Aquatics Center pool. I think you have to be enrolled to use it. You can come and swim in my parents’ pool with us, though. It’s yummy too!
August 3, 2010 at 11:08 am
Thank you, Jennifer! That’s an amazing compliment coming from you! The trick is being willing to learn together, no?