'S' is for... Survival Test

Just two months after starting swim lessons (for the first time... and very little pool time prior to that), Preston took his advanced level survival test at his swim school.   He was "bumped" or "tossed" (however you word it, it was a surprise to him) into the pool in his street clothes, including shoes, and had to roll to his back and find the side of the pool.

Receiving his ribbon after getting out of his wet street clothes

The week before, while swimming at a our neighbors' house, he had two separate, unexpected slips into the deep end of the pool (I was right there, of course) and he reacted as he's been trained... flipped over onto his back and floated while kicking and finding the wall.  (Terrifying for me to watch, but so grateful he knew what to do and actually did it.)    So, the next day when he had his first attempt at the survival test, I expected he'd pass with flying colors.  He almost did, but with the shock of being bumped into the water with his clothes & shoes on, he overcompensated when floating on his back and arched so much that he put his head back under water.  This is not uncommon, especially for a new swimmer who has fear (because, generally, four year-olds are much more aware of fear than toddlers).  Anyway, he had a lesson in between (so he'd be surprised again) and on August 25th, he passed with flying colors and everyone in the pool cheered for him. 

Taken during a lesson a couple of weeks ago, wearing something on his legs to help him remember to kick without bending his knees so much.  I love the look of determination on his face.  It's hard to believe that just two months ago, he refused to put his whole face in the water!

***(If you are having trouble playing the videos, right click on the video pic and choose, "stop download." 
For some reason, that will help you access the option to click play.)***

Besides the swimming, I love this clip because he just received instruction from his instructor and then happened to turn around and unexpectedly see a friend from school.

He is now totally unafraid of the water, retrieves rings off the bottom at a depth of around five feet, is working on learning backstroke and swims the entire length of the pool repeating "eyes in, four big arms, roll to your back for a breath."  Considering his limited pool exposure until June of this year (mama guilt for that... but not really in my control), he has progressed amazingly well... and is already asking for a pool when we buy our next house!