Swimming

When I was three years old we moved to a new home. There was a swimming pool in the neighborhood. Every summer we took swimming lessons. When I was very young I could swim well.

When I meet teenagers or adults who can’t swim, I am very surprised. In my mind, I have an image that everyone can swim. Of course this isn’t true. Many people don’t have the chance to learn. I was very fortunate to have a pool nearby.

One friend grew up in Liberia. They considered the ocean very dangerous. If his mother found out he went swimming, she would beat him. Naturally, he can’t swim.

Can you swim? How young did you start?

Summer Swimming

My family moved to Redmond when I was three years old. Our neighborhood had a swimming pool. Every summer the pool was open for lessons, playing, and swim meets.

Just before my 4th birthday I joined swimming lessons. When I was a child, I would get up early every morning during the summer and walk or run to swimming lessons. After lessons I would come home, eat breakfast, and watch TV. As soon as all the lessons were done for the day, we would run back to the pool for play time.

We also swam in the local lakes a lot. Sometimes we would drive to the ocean and play at the beach. I really like swimming in the ocean.

Did you learn to swim as a child? Do you like swimming? Do you like the ocean?