Going the Distance: My Autistic Perspective on Completing the Final Level of my Swimming Lessons
I'm proud of myself, which is something I don't say often enough.
"I'll be there someday; I can go the distance. I will find my way if I can be strong. I know every mile will be worth my while. When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong." - Michael Bolton, Go the Distance, Hercules
Over the past several months, I've been chronicling my journey to learn how to swim on my website, sharing my experiences and challenges as a learning-disabled student in a city-run adult swimming program with no accommodations provided. While these classes were tough and at times stressful, I persevered and completed the three-level program. I recently finished the final level, though without officially "passing" it, due to a gruelling gauntlet of laps, which felt more suited to those training for the Summer Olympics or undergoing boot camp for the navy. What follows is my overall account of my level 3 swimming lessons.
As expected, the final set of swimming lessons were the most challenging in the program, consisting of advance techniques taught in the deep end of the pool. However, despite the increased difficulty, level 3 turned out to be my favourite in the program. Unlike level 2, which was (and still is) packed to capacity with students, level 3's student body consisted of just two students: another student and I. As such, the two of us essentially received private lessons without having to pay the extra charge for them, which was a nice bonus. This miniscule class size ensured my fellow classmate and I both got plenty of time and attention from our instructor.
Speaking of which, in addition to the unofficial private lessons, an additional perk we also scored was being assigned the same instructor from level 2. This was great news, as I worked well with her and knew I wouldn't need to worry about adjusting to some new instructor who could potentially be a bad match for my autistic learning style.
One of the trickier techniques we tackled in level 3 was the stride entry. If performed correctly, you leap into the pool with your head fully above water the entire time, so your hair never gets wet. If performed incorrectly, you sink like a stone to the bottom of the deep end, and your hair gets quite wet. Let's just say I became very familiar with the bottom of the deep end, and my hair dryer. It was still fun to try, though.
Another technique we covered was the breaststroke. This one was a lot of fun, as it involved trying to swim like a frog (I love frogs; they're such cool animals). There was a lot to memorize, as the breaststroke is broken into various steps with regards to the timing and rhythm of your arm and leg movements as well as surfacing briefly to breathe. Due to these numerous steps, the breaststroke could be a bit overwhelming at times, akin to patting your head while rubbing your belly at the same time. Still, over time, I gradually got better at it, and found this technique quite enjoyable, despite our instructor's personal disdain for it.
Now that I covered some of the pros of level 3, I'll go over some of the cons. As mentioned, the ridiculous gauntlet of laps was back with a vengeance. While I went the distance against these horrid laps in the previous two levels, the absurd amount of them this time around forced me to throw in the towel and tap out, due to the health risk associated with my asthma. Knowing I wouldn't be passing level 3, simply due to my asthma and these accursed laps, was quite the blow.
At the time, I wasn't sure if I felt up to continuing with the class or not. Ultimately, though, I decided to follow the example of Cool Runnings and "finish the race". I'm glad I stuck around, as my classmate successfully completed her gauntlet of laps in a single session, which meant I wouldn't be alone and bored in the pool for the remaining few weeks. My instructor made it clear to me that the only reason I wouldn't be passing level 3 was due to the laps, as my form and technique with each of the various strokes was on point.
Learning how to swim was my only goal with these swimming lessons, not triathlon training, so mission accomplished. Still, my advice for the organizers of this swimming program would be to provide an alternate exam to pass the class, as an accommodation for those of us with asthma or other health conditions that make the multitude of laps unfeasible and unsafe. Wouldn't a single full lap of each stroke be sufficient evidence that we know how to swim? Just my two cents.
Another issue was the exaggerated amounts of chlorine used in the pool, which gave my classmate a nasty cough and caused me horrendous allergies. I wonder if these ultra high chlorine levels also contributed to my asthma attacks in the pool. Oh, and the locker room situation. I assume you already know my thoughts on the lack of privacy, communal showers, and folks proudly strutting around in their birthday suits, sans towels (Oktoberfest)? Well, add thievery to the list of locker room woes.
Somebody had their new iPhone stolen from their locker, while several level 1 and 2 students had their shoes, flip-flops, or Crocs stolen from under the wooden benches, forcing them to head home barefoot, a la Fred Flintstone. Thankfully, I was never affected by these thefts, as I always lock my locker (I'm a big city boy, so I tend not to trust random strangers). Still, I felt awful for the other swimming students who were victimized. These petty crimes were a major turn off.
I always like to end my writings on a positive note, so I'll now share my favourite aspects of level 3; the fun activities separate from the lessons. I got to jump off the diving board a few times, and even played a couple of diving board games: rock paper scissors, and the animal game. Both games involve jumping from the diving board while attempting, in midair, to mimic either the hand sign or animal called by the instructor. Both games were quite fun and funny.
I also tried diving for a ring multiple times, though, stubbornly, the ring always remained just out of the grasp of my fingertips (Next time, Gadget! Next time!). However, the greatest highlight of level 3 for me, by far, was getting to go down the water slide a few times. I love water slides. I rarely have access to them, so whenever I see one, I'm there. Every time I've been to the local aquatic centre, the water slide has been closed. However, my super cool instructor arranged a couple of occasions, after class, where she had the other lifeguards turn on the water slide, just for me. I greatly appreciated her awesome gesture.
And that about wraps up my overall account of my level 3 swimming lessons. Over the past several months, I went from being unable to swim and terrified of the deep end, to learning various strokes, treading water in the deep end, jumping off the diving board, trying to dive for rings, teaching myself the doggy paddle without even realizing it, and having a blast going down the water slide.
As the local aquatic centre only covers what's on their curriculum for the three levels, I'll have to investigate alternative swimming lessons to continue honing what I've already learned as well as learning new techniques. Ideally, I'd love to become skilled enough to go snorkelling or scuba diving someday. I'd also like to eventually learn the butterfly stroke, as mimicking the movements of a dolphin or mermaid looks super cool and fun. I'll continue to post updates along the way. Until next time, love, peace, and chicken grease.