Lessons From The Swimming Pool

When Lola asked me to join a swimming class with her Monday and Friday nights, I readily acquiesced. First of all, I definitely need the exercise. Secondly, I’ve always had the feeling that I may have been doing a lot of things incorrectly all these years (which comes as no surprise, given that I learned most of what I know about swimming within just one weekend way back when I was a freshman in high school). And thirdly, have I mentioned that I really need the exercise?

I’m enjoying the lessons a lot, no matter how exhausted I am most Monday nights. And even though I skipped quite a number of sessions for various reasons, I’ve actually made some progress. It helps that the classes are for ladies only (no feelings of self-consciousness), taught by a lady instructor (feeling very comfortable with her), and are conducted way after working hours (enough time for me to get the kids settled).

What I didn’t expect was that I’d end up being so philosophical about the whole thing and actually find time to reflect on some life lessons that I’ve learned alongside the actual swimming lessons, in between (mini) laps in the pool. The lessons are far from original. In fact, I’m sure you’ve read about most of them somewhere. But they are as applicable in real life as they are in the swimming pool.

Lesson #1: Do it right the first time. It takes a bit more of effort, but your life will be so much easier in the end. When to blow, when to breathe, how to breathe, how to move your arms and legs — each movement counts because they will form the foundation for more advanced movements.

Lesson #2: It’s much, much easier to learn something new, rather than try to unlearn or fix something that you’ve been doing wrong for so long. It turns out I’ve been doing my flutter kick (as basic as that!) wrong all these years and it took several sessions for me to correct it :(

Lesson #3: Practice — with a lot of patience — makes perfect. I had difficulty synchronizing my breast stroke with my frog kick and the only thing that worked was practice, practice, practice. One day, I just found myself doing it!

Lesson #4: It’s never too late to learn something new. Lola will testify to this ;)

Lesson #5: You’ll get by with a little help from friends. They call you up to remind you about classes, they cheer for you when it’s your turn to jump off from the (*gasp*) deep end of the pool, and they’re always there to listen to you talk endlessly about relationship issues, foreclosure help, bad choices, or perhaps just to brag about your kids or exchange information about the latest sales on shoes.

Lesson #6: Each one of us is unique. We all learn in a different way and at a different pace, so don’t go about comparing yourself with others or you’ll only end up either discouraged or feeling smug.

Rule #7: Some things have to be learned one step at a time. You can’t start doing freestyle if you can’t even do the flutter kick properly.

Lesson #8: Life does offer certain shortcuts, but they come at a price which you’ll have pay sometime later in life. See Lesson #2!

Lesson #9: Sometimes, it’s worth paying a bit extra (like anti-fog lenses for goggles) but you’ve got to keep the line between ‘necessity’ (goggles) and ‘useful and worth paying for’ (anti-fog) and ‘nice to have but can do without’ (the latest, most high-tech design, probably meant for professional swimmers) clearly delineated at all times.

Lesson #10: Quitters never win, winners never quit. If you quit your lessons, you’ll never learn to swim. Enough said!

For ladies who live in KL and are keen on learning how to swim, contact CONSIST at 03-41089355 and ask for Puan Zalina. Course fees, as of this writing, are RM250 for 12 hours of lessons. When you register, ask two other friends to register with you so that the three of you will get a 10% discount. Or so I heard.

Classes have recently been changed to Monday and Wednesday nights. The time slots for the classes may vary, depending on your level.

Quick Update (08.08.08): There will be no classes in August and September. Classes will recommence after Hari Raya holidays in October. Final date to be announced later. 

Tags: life lessons, swimming