Determination

I know that it is not easy for my son to be in a swimming class. I feel that it's too much pressure on him.
During the first day, he was excited...in fact, too excited that he woke up as early as 5:00AM because he was looking forward to his first encounter with the swimming coach & other members of the Milo Swimming Clinic. But at the end of the first session, I noticed that he was quiet while in the car until we reached our house. I could trace some frustration on his face. When I asked him what was wrong, he told me that he felt bad & he knew that he wouldn't learn how to swim. "You see, Mama, I couldn't cross the pool as fast as the others...I always sink, kaya they were laughing at me! Nakakainis!" After hearing this, I gave him all the encouraging words I could think of at that very moment because I knew it was an indication of a beginning frustration! I don't want him to feel & think that he is a loser. He is not!!!I nagged him to continue, anyway it was just his first day. And it was not only him who had a not so good performance during the first day (of course, what do you expect from a novice? the reason why they were there was to learn and not to show off!) I stressed to my son that he should have the determination to learn & become a good swimmer.
So on the 2nd day, he told me that when he was asked to float on his back, do the flutter kicks & cross the pool, he thought about what I told him : determination! So what he did was he told himself (with eyes closed) "I can do this!" several times until he hit the other side of the pool! He was so happy (inspite of the occasional "sinking strokes") because he made it! Keep it up, son!

Mini competitions

My kids brag about their achievements for today. Their coach intended to develop competitive swimmers, so he holds mini competitions at the end of each session.All of them show off their skills...and try to get the "gold". Angelica boasts that she won twice...she said that she used all her might to be the fastest novice swimmer in their category. She showed off her powerful kicks as she paddled accross the pool. Kuya, on the otherhand is still slower, but I'm still happy because he is showing signs that he has gained more confidence & has overcome his fear to water...I'll post more of their pictures next time!

Kids' First Day at the Milo Swimming Clinic

My kids woke up early this morning, probably because of too much excitement...it's going to be their first day of their swimming lessons. They hurriedly had their breakfast, wore their swimming get-ups, including their gears like goggles & swimming caps (though they both didn't like to use the tight caps, especially Angelica who complained that it's hurting her head & it felt so warm)and put on a dollop of sunscreen creams. Then at 7:30 AM, we were off to the resort where the Milo Swimming Clinic is being held!

After the registration, the kids all lined up for their warm up exercises for about 15 minutes. Afterwhich, they had their briefing with Coach Ronnel.





The first thing that was taught to them was how to do the leg movements properly. They all sat along the pool side with their legs hanging. Coach Ronnel instructed them to extend their legs together with toes pointing down, then moving each leg alternately up & down splashing into the water. They should do a nice splash.



Then they do the same leg works on a prone position.


Then, each of them was given a kick board so that they could cross the pool one after the other. I think they were beginning to conquer their fear to water. Kakay & Justin were able to cross the pool (on kick boards )using their stong kicks. Keep it up, kids!

They will be training for 2 weeks...I wonder how they are going to look like by then!Their skin were already showing signs of sunburn...they'll be needing tons of sunscreen, perhaps in order to protect their skin to the max! They seem not to care at all...as long as they are enjoying their swimming lessons, that's all they care about!