Swim Team

Aubree participated on a recreational swim team this summer. It wasn't on my radar until the very end of the school year, and even then I didn't think it would be a viable option because the minimum swim level accepted was level 4, and Aubree was finishing up a level 3 swim class.  When she passed level 3 (a bit of a surprise for both of us), I signed her up.

Aubree wasn't thrilled with the idea, and I knew it would be super hard for her, but at almost 12 years old, it was past time for her to become a confident swimmer and the only way for that to happen is to spend lots of time in the pool. This swim team was shockingly affordable and very flexible, so it seemed like a good option.

Unfortunately, Aubree missed the first week of practices because we were in Utah. She was already coming in as one of the youngest and weakest swimmers, so being an extra week behind right at the get-go made it extra challenging.  We talked ahead of time about the fact that she would probably hate the first week or two, but if she stuck with it, it would gradually get easier.

I took this video of her the first day of practice. She was only able to swim a few yards, then would swim over to hold onto the edge of the pool.

Practices were Monday-Friday, for an hour and a half each session.  She always came home exhausted and starving. Though she never really looked forward to going to practices, she also didn't complain, even though it was hard, hard, hard.

And gradually, she did improve. By the end of the season (5 weeks later), she was talking about practicing flip turns and trying different strokes. She's a much more confident and capable swimmer, so I'd say: Mission Accomplished!