Some of the young swimmers and their family members.
The 2018 POC group swim lessons went well. We had 14 students, 19 if you include the parents, in the parent child classes. Most of the students were locals but we did have a few from Port Lavaca and Victoria. The class levels included the Parent/Child class, Beginner, Advanced Beginner and Intermediate.
In the Parent/Child class, we worked on safe entry and exiting the pool, rudimentary arm and leg propulsion, front floats, back floats and more. The parents and, in one case grandparent (called Hot Dog), all became comfortable working with their 2 and 3 year olds in the water. All of the children and adults became adept at submerging the kiddos and sending them to another adult or to a point of safety, such as a step. A few of the youngsters mastered solo prone floats and were loving the feeling of their own natural buoyancy in the water. As an instructor, I love seeing this!
In the Beginner class, we advanced to a point of doing prone floats solo and came very close to being able to do back floats solo. All of the kiddos were getting the hang of propulsion by the end of the two weeks and were so much more comfortable putting their faces in the water and mastering breath control. After two weeks, this group was not quite able to swim solo but very close and may get the hang of it on their own by this time next year.
In the Advanced Beginner class, we worked on propulsion for the beginner stroke (dog paddle), free style, backstroke, breaststroke and elementary backstroke. This group was much closer to mastering breath control. We worked on breathing to the side during freestyle which is tricky. I introduced the survival float, treading water, and other water safety skills. All of these children were swimming the long way across the pool by the second week. Their techniques are a still a bit rough but they made great progress. During the after class play time we worked on diving, which is always fun but must always be done in deep water.
In the Intermediate class, we worked on breathing to the side during freestyle, getting pretty comfortable with the concept. Backstroke and breaststroke were refined. All strokes were introduced including the four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly) as well as the two other gliding strokes (elementary backstroke and sides stroke). Treading water was done using the sculling motion with arms and the three possible kicks (frog kick, scissors kick and egg beater kick). Safety skills were introduced and refined.
I think it is safe to say the kids had great fun working on their swimming and safety skills. I had fun teaching this great group of children and want to thank the parents for trusting me with their children.
I hope to offer lessons next year between vacation bible study week and POCO.
Many people helped me get this venture off the ground. Michelle Marlin, Alane Haardt, Jenny O’Neill, Joanie Morgan, Beverly Wagner and Carol Reily.
Special thanks go to Marie and Robbie Hawes for the use of their pool. Their gift to me and the Port O’Connor community is immeasurable.
After covering my expenses, I used the proceeds to buy two bricks from the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library. I love this community and have felt so welcome here. I am delighted to have found a way to give back to the Port O’Connor community!
