Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.
When my kids started swimming with Condors, it was only (A) because he was the only one who was potty trained, so its been some time. (E) has been with them ever since she was. They have both moved up the ranks in Learn to Swim under the guidance of Ms. Ashley Telesmanic for 5 years now. (E) is on pre-team increasing her stamina while also working on fine tuning her strokes, she’s 6. (A) moved from pre-team to future stars past year (at 8) and was just moved up to Bronze.
For those who are unaware what means, it means that he was moved to the REAL SWIM team. Big, HUGE deal for (A) who has always loved swimming for fun but has always been adamant that he doesn’t want to compete. This move, it required a long honest conversation, that I wasn’t sure my little man (now 9) was capable of having.
The good news is that thanks to Ms. Ashley there is another option called Technique and Fitness, its for the kids who have surpassed Learn to Swim, who want to come and workout in the water, and work on skills but don’t have the desire to compete. So when we had the discussion we talked about that option. In fact, I was fairly certain that is the way he was going to want to go.
He surprised the heck out of me. He wanted to push himself. To the tune of 4 workouts a week for over an hour each, which is way more than the 1/2 hour he was doing on future stars. Also, eventually he would have to compete, which he didn’t want. Well he’s changed his mind and would like to do ONE event at the first event to get the nerves out (that’s MID-OCTOBER!!!).
We decided to go to practice the first week to be sure he could handle the increased time and demands of Bronze, before fully committing and purchasing the uniform. He did the first day and asked to return two days later, then was upset that he couldn’t go that Friday due to a school conflict. That was it, he was hooked. We went to uniform night and ordered his jammers, shirts, and personalized swim cap. He’s a swimmer. I don’t know where this is leading, or if it will become anything, but he is enjoying it, and we are supporting it. He wants to compete and we will be there to cheer him on every step of the way. I am thankful for the opportunity and the advice that Ms. Ashley has given us to get to this point. The time she has taken to get to know my children to help them to continue to learn and grow within the program, and ever so sorry that we are almost complete with our time with her.
Here is a photo of him after his first full hour practice, he hasn’t stopped smiling, he loves it and its been weeks. He’s in love, and maybe he’s found his niche. If so I am so excited that he has found his love, if not, im so super glad that he has tried it. I just want him (them) to have something that they love, and to be happy and healthy. Well, it looks like we are well on our way. :o)
