Swim happy

Last summer, a 65 year old gal in my community, who I didn't know, approached me and asked if I would teach her how to swim. I told her I had never taught anybody before, however, I would work with her if she wasn't afraid of the water. Gail said she wasn't afraid; she just didn't know what to do once she was in it! She asked what my fee would be and I told her I wouldn't charge anything; she could take me to lunch when we have accomplished her goal of being able to swim the length of the pool, freestyle, without stopping. Since last July, we have had 25 one hour sessions. We have laughed a lot, discovered a mutual love of jazz, shared what turned out to be similar political views, and have become friends. Oh yeah; and I have taught her how to swim! Although she still can't make it one full length of the pool without a snorkel, she can swim about 15 yards before she quits. Her backstroke is to the point where I am now teaching her to count strokes from the flags. And, we are working on getting her stroke more efficient. I may even have her convinced to join me at the Geezer Games, in Gwinnett County, on May 2, to compete in 50 backstroke and 50 freestyle (as backstroke or part free, part back). The other day, she surprised me with a $100 Visa gift card ("...use towards swim meet fund") in a handmade card with this message: "Thank you! I never dreamed I would be able to swim and breathe so well, so effortlessly, so comfortably. You're a great coach; I appreciate your selfless giving of time. And, I'm having fun! You're 1 in a million; no, one of a kind." ~ Gail This has been such a gratifying experience; definitely a "Swim Happy" for me. Here are videos of Gail's 25th lesson: www.youtube.com/watch www.youtube.com/watch

Last summer, a 65 year old gal in my community, who I didn't know, approached me and asked if I would teach her how to swim. I told her I had never taught anybody before, however, I would work with her if she wasn't afraid of the water. Gail said she wasn't afraid; she just didn't know what to do once she was in it! She asked what my fee would be and I told her I wouldn't charge anything; she could take me to lunch when we have accomplished her goal of being able to swim the length of the pool, freestyle, without stopping. Since last July, we have had 25 one hour sessions. We have laughed a lot, discovered a mutual love of jazz, shared what turned out to be similar political views, and have become friends. Oh yeah; and I have taught her how to swim! Although she still can't make it one full length of the pool without a snorkel, she can swim about 15 yards before she quits. Her backstroke is to the point where I am now teaching her to count strokes from the flags. And, we are working on getting her stroke more efficient. I may even have her convinced to join me at the Geezer Games, in Gwinnett County, on May 2, to compete in 50 backstroke and 50 freestyle (as backstroke or part free, part back). The other day, she surprised me with a $100 Visa gift card ("...use towards swim meet fund") in a handmade card with this message: "Thank you! I never dreamed I would be able to swim and breathe so well, so effortlessly, so comfortably. You're a great coach; I appreciate your selfless giving of time. And, I'm having fun! You're 1 in a million; no, one of a kind." ~ Gail This has been such a gratifying experience; definitely a "Swim Happy" for me. Here are videos of Gail's 25th lesson: www.youtube.com/watch www.youtube.com/watch