The water and I are fighting. I don’t know who’s winning.
The swimming lessons continue. I’m getting more comfortable in the water, but only by small margins. Our instructor has me working on a few different drills now, including treading water and more work with the kick board.
My major holdup right now is breathing. That’s sort of a big deal in the water, and suffice to say I’m not doing it right. It’s a matter of timing, really. And turning my head far enough. And keeping my legs going. And rotating my shoulders. And not running out of momentum. And making sure I’m exhaling again as soon as my face is in the water. Yeah I’m really bad at this.
Right before our class starts, there are two classes full of little kids. I sit on the bench beside the pool, mouth agape, and watch them as they effortlessly play with the water, breathe as much as they want, and wiggle their way from end to end and back again. It seems instinctive for them. I’m sure that they were taught, but when they were taught, it clicked.
It’s not really clicking with me yet, but it’s not the end of the world. Things like this always take a long time to click with me, but I’m determined enough to keep trying them until they do. I have a few lessons left in this class, and if it hasn’t clicked by then, I’ll just sign up for another one.