Accomplishments

Since we returned from our trip, Noach and I have been going to the Y most afternoons to swim. He needs to pass a swimming test on the first day of boy scout camp in order to work on the first class scout swimming skills with most of his friends.

To complete the BSA swimmer test, Noach has to
1. jump feet first into water over his head, level off and
2. swim 75 yards (3 pool laps) using one of several strokes
3. finish with 25 yards using the easy, resting backstroke, then
4. rest by floating

When we started practicing, he needed to get accustomed to jumping in deep water and greatly increase his stamina. He was an adequate swimmer, able to get from Point A to Point B as long as it wasn't too far. He has never liked to get his face in the water, thus his swimming form is somewhat turtle-like.

Yesterday, he did it. I was very proud of him but, more importantly, he was proud of himself, for facing his fear of the 10 foot depth and for pushing himself to keep swimming when he was very tired. Good job!

And, since I swim with him, lap after lap, usually doing a clumsy back crawl, I have greatly improved the mobility of my right shoulder. Yesterday, my accomplishment was to hook my bra in the back for the first time in months. PRM