level 2...3...4...

Jeff and I are strong swimmers.

We sometimes talk about how he should have swam in high school instead of played b-ball (then we joke that then obviously basketball was God's Will, because we never would have met, because he would have done so well in swimming he would have gone to a college where he could compete at a higher level... um, as opposed to basketball...)

Jeff has the body shape for swimming, actually, as opposed to basketball (actually, as opposed to hockey, but that's not the point). He's very tall, thin, with a long reach and long torso, and "short" legs. (no, he doesn't have double-jointed elbows, however). Just like me, he doesn't have the quickness and jumping ability one needs to go far in basketball, but he plays because b-ball is easy to play anywhere.

Anyway, enough bragging about my husband for a sport in which he doesn't even participate.

That's the background, however, for why we want to give our girls ample opportunity to swim, and compete if they decide they want to someday. Swimming is a very healthy sport with not as much injury problems, and we have 2 pools within walking distance of our house (one indoor).

We started first K, then this week little G, in Swim America lessons. I had a lot of trouble finding any info or reviews at all about this program, but we liked that they are so close to home, and the same price as our gym's lessons, and the students eventually have an opportunity to join the swim team.


We've been going a week and a day now, and I have to say I'm very happy with the program. I'm not going to get into the logistics of the program (if you care, post a comment or drop me an e-mail), but we really like that they progress the kids at the kids' individual level and pace. I started K in level 2, because she had regressed the past couple years to "having" to hold her nose to go under the water. She spent a few days at this level, remembering how to hold her head under while swimming, then once she could "front glide" and "back glide" for 5 seconds she moved on to level 3.

(the announcement that K moved up a level)

Actually, this was the level jump I was most concerned about, she's always had a problem with putting her head under the water.

(hitting the gong when she moves up)

But once we passed this hurdle, she already knew how to kick, and the very next lesson moved up to the next level, level 4, where you learn the correct arm movements. She'll probably be here a bit, but that's okay. Out of 10 levels, even with my going through all the years of lessons our pool offered, I'd only be a level 7 or 8 in Swim America.

I also really like how much they emphasize correct technique. They don't let the kids move on unless they're doing the movement in just the right way, and each new movement is based on what they already know. Right now K's working on a side glide with kick, with one arm out in front and one held by her side (imagine holding a crawl stroke, stretched out).


Little G is just having fun in the water right now at level 1. They pour water on her head with a watering can (she giggles), the play a game throwing balls, they squirt each other, they kick, they hold an instructor while he/she walks in the water, and they float on a noodle (all 1:1 student-teacher, very nice).


She's come so far in just 2 days (from not even wanting to get in, since the water's 3.5' deep), I'm really impressed.

K loves it so much, we'll go to an extra week so that little G can get her full 2 weeks. And I think we'll keep this up, off and on, indefinitely (or until burn out, but hopefully not because of that!).

I'm so excited we have this local opportunity for a sport that isn't school-related, but still can be competitive if that's what she eventually wants.

I may just join up, too...
(I've always wanted to learn underwater turns and the butterfly!)

(I'm sure it'd be me and a couple 9-yr-olds in the level...)