Craig Can Swim

Back in July, Craig had been going to swimming lessons once a week for months with little success. But, a change of coach, that necessitated a change of venue to a pool with warmer (although not heated) water, had a very positive effect. Sadly, because of an impending move, Craig only had a few lessons with the new coach.

With the previous coach Craig was only able to stay afloat when using a kickboard and an adult needed to hold the board. By the time the last lesson with the new coach rolled around Craig could swim a few strokes unaided.

For the last lesson, the coach had set up two benches underwater about 10 metres apart.




Despite the lack of success at swimming the whole distance between the benches Craig didn't stop trying. His eagerness to please the coach was obvious as was his disappointment when he couldn't swim to the other bench.



After 55 minutes of the one-hour lesson had passed, Craig's Dad was consoling himself with the thought that Craig had improved a lot in just a few lessons with this coach. That boded well for the future. Craig was so close to swimming by himself that it would only need a few more lessons and he'd be a swimmer.

The coach is a busy man. His next student had arrived and was watching from the edge of the pool with his parents. It seemed that the lesson was winding down. But, the coach sensed that Craig was not finished. Craig's Dad was very surprised when the coach stepped over one underwater bench to stand behind it and leave the whole 10-metre stretch of water between the two benches unattended. He even motioned to Craig's Dad to prepare to take another video.



Craig was as excited about his little achievement as anyone else. He was full of energy. Usually, straight after the end of a lesson, Craig would hop into a warm spa pool to warm up. He normally has to be on his best behaviour in the spa pool because it is small and he needs to be considerate of the other people using it. On this very special day the spa pool was empty and Craig could release some energy!