Hi guys, whilst I have been away, not writing, spending time with family, and just enjoying summer all together, I have also been hard at work with swimming.
For those of you that actually take the time to read my blogs, and follow my life story, you may recall that I decided to take on swimming originally just for the confidence aspect of it, but as time goes on, it looks like it’s becoming a lot more than that!
Sometime last week, my lesson instructor Jana asked me “if I wanted to give independent backstroke a try?” Jana also explained that she would be right beside me, and also that if I went under, she would be there to catch me. Due to me not feeling confident enough in myself yet (So I thought) I declined.
Eventually, it was time for me to swim again, and Jana asked me (Once again) if I wanted to give independent backstroke a try. This time around, I said to myself,”What bad can it do to say yes. All that can go wrong is I would go under the water, and Jana will help me back up again.” With this in mind, I accepted the offer.
Before attempting my first ever independent backstroke, Jana started by telling me that we were only going to start by doing five seconds independently. Jana also went through the most important things that I need to do in order to get the best success. (Keep my chin up, and just relax into it.) These precautions are just to make sure that my butt doesn’t sink, and I didn’t end up going under at any point in time. I agreed, and we were seconds away from me trying my first ever-unaided backstroke.
Once I had completed my first lap of Backstroke, it turns out that it wasn’t as bad as I thought. To be honest, I was a little shocked at what had just happened, and was trying to hold back a smile.
I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT!!!
Due to how good my backstroke went, and how excited we all were (My parents, Jana, and I) We decided that there was no better day than today, I was ready to try an actual independent (Swim) so we did just that.
After talking with Jana, and getting her opinion on which stroke would be the best for me to give my first attempt at when it comes to doing my first actual swim, Whilst taking my physical abilities into account, Jana decided that the breaststroke would be most efficient for me. Even though my heart was pumping out of my chest from both the nerve aspect and excitement at the same time, I knew I could do this, and gave it a try.
I feel like I did okay, but I need to work on it a lot more. I really struggle with coming up to take a breath, but not panicking at the same time. I also really need to focus on incorporating my legs into the equation. Right now, I use predominately my arms. I just cannot get it my head that my arms are only there to steer, and that’s it. Where as my legs are the key to everything! Work in progress right?
Yesterday morning, my parents took me down to the poi where I swim, but only to practice. I was able to do the backstroke 100% independently, but my breaststroke still needs work. I’m sure it will get better overtime, but it’s just about letting it take its course!
Hey, I didn’t think I would ever be able to come away from using the noodle, but little did I know, I would ever be proved wrong someday! Thanks to Jana this was all made possible! I would like to thank her for giving me the gift of being able to swim! Now I love the water, and feel like a true fish, (Even though I’m not, I’m far from it yet) but in other words, now I actually feel safe whilst being in the water, and can actually enjoy it. Where as before, I was nothing but scared to try swimming on my own! Now I feel like I can swim for hours on end, without having anything to worry about, YAY!!!
I hope to improve in every way I can with my new discovery of the water! If any other exciting milestones happen, I will let you know! Please keep an eye open for them!
Thank you for taking the time to read this, I hope you reading about the latest things that have gone on within my swimming adventure, will have motivated you to do something that you have wanted to do for a long time, but have never had the courage to even take the first step, and be on your way! Today might be the day; it’s never too late to try new things!