My granddaughter doesn’t get to swim in pools that have diving boards very often. Even less often would be the chance to swim in a pool with a higher than normal diving board.
Such was the case yesterday afternoon (actually, the day before as well, but she couldn’t work up the courage).
In keeping our appointment with nothing, we headed back to the swimming pool of my youth near Smalltownville. I swam in competitions there once in a while and was quite at home with the deep end of the pool.
It takes time and repetition to get comfortable with walking to the end of the high dive and just taking the last step over the edge. GN tried several times, but ended up going back down the ladder.
Then, finally . . . she just jumped!
After that, there was no stopping her. She kept holding her nose and taking the leap!
Music still plays over loudspeakers at the community pool and though it’s not from my era, it’s a pleasant accompaniment to our appointment with nuthin’. It’s a good prescription for summer: toss in pool, climb ladder to high dive, jump, rest on towel in the sun every now and then, repeat until dusk, tuck into bed . . .
My high school had a ridiculous requirement for passing PE in my sophomore year…each student had to jump off the 15 foot diving platform at least once. I call that ridiculous because a lot of kids couldn’t swim very well, or at all.
Like me.
I got out of the requirement because I was an athlete and played competitive sports. But I have a lifelong aversion to forcing a kid to do something that intimidates them like that. Encouragement in a safe environment is the way, not requiring it to avoid a failing grade.
Travis: I agree. I didn’t force her. She climbed up and then back down quite a few times before she decided on her own to just try it. I taugh swimming and never required it of anyone, but I didn’t teach PE. I taught for a summer rec program.
Good for GN!
Why am I more brave in some areas as I age, but I’ve gotten less brave when it comes to jumping off of high things???
Carol: I don’t know that I would jump off the high dive anymore, either.