I love that I'm in such great company in this post! I've learned so much about other people's swimming experiences here that I feel absolutely fine about my own!
And YESSSSSSSSS to hot tubs - sounds perfect, Mya! 😊
Gosh, all power to you and your refusals, Mitchell - I wish that had occurred to me, too! 🤣
Given better circumstances, of course - and a teacher who could actually do the job! - I might have been able to enjoy those lessons, and heck, actually learned something?! Oh well! I'm happy just to bumble around doing my trusty doggy paddle, and never mind what anybody thinks! 🙌
Thank you so much, Luisa! Kindred spirits, aren't we? 😘
What an absolutely HORRIFIC experience that must have been - that instructor has a lot to answer for! Poor you - and your mum, for the horror at not seeing you come up.
That PE teacher I mentioned had once got into trouble after an injury to a pupil that was the result of lining everyone up along the pool and getting them to jump straight in WITH THEIR LEGS LOCKED. The kids at the deep end were fine - but the girl at the other end of the line where the pool was shallower suffered terrible and long-lasting knee damage.
I can do EXCELLENT breaststroke... for two strokes! By the time I get to the third I'm already out of synch! 🤣
Well done for disarming that rude person with a smile. I had a teacher like that too: made me feel useless because I couldn't swim fast. Still, I enjoy swimming and cycling, you enjoy swimming and running, so who cares about such people now? 😉
That painting is just the loveliest view. Swimmers so often look back to the shore and to see the shore portrayed is perfect.
Your swimming - what an awful beginning you had. I suspect if you had been a child in Australia, the situation would have been entirely different - swimming is part of life here. But in any event, it doesn't matter. You're in the water and doing it your way and enjoying it, that is all that matters. Go you!
Thank you, Prue! My initial intention had been to put my feet into the picture - but shhhh, I found it too difficult! 🤣
It might be different now, so many years on, but I think it's a shame that swimming for very young children isn't promoted more. Water safety is so important, but so is swimming for fitness. I think I'd like to get back to pool swimming one day - I might even take some lessons. Jim used to swim competitively, and his sister is an instructor. No excuses, right?! 🤣 I can't help thinking that I'd simply default to doggy paddle, though!
My husband had adult lessons after deciding he just wasn't good enough, but he reverted to his old style and who cares in all honesty as he gets out in the surf, can float and swim far enough for safety and loves a swim on a hot day. As long as you and he are safe, it's all that matters. XXXX
D'you know, I think if I took lessons know I'd probably also just bounce back to my old style, too! I love that your husband loves his swimming - like you, I think if those of us who aren't necessarily skilled in that department are safe in the water and having a good time, that's all we need! 🙌
I’m really enjoying the evolution and solidification of your art style; rich use of colour yet there’s this ethereal quality to the work. (Now that I see those words, I think that’s how I’d describe your writing, too.)
Also, I’d like to paraphrase the Canadian character “Bubbles” in response to those boys and that wretch of a teacher, but this is a family comment threads. So a big smile it is 😃
Oh Bryn, thank you for such lovely words - that's so kind of you!
And LOL re 'Bubbles' - I've just read the Wikipedia entry for him, and I can only imagine what words you might be thinking here! 🤣
The company whose online course I learned mixed media art journalling from is doing a free live weekend course online at the beginning of September - I registered yesterday, and I'm looking forward to doing some of the classes on catch-up.
"Yes, yes, yes!" I said silently as I read and chuckled my way through this post. There are so many great descriptors, these are two of my favs: "...an unsympathetic woman with little aptitude for teaching and an undisguised dislike for children" and this about the very friendly lady with a beautiful freestyle stroke who would stop to chat sans covering, "I admired her self-confidence, but found it hard to know where (not) to look." So many faces from my past popped into my head as I read through; it's as if moments in our past are parallel. Loved this!
LOL Mary - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your lovely words!
That teacher was HORRID, honestly! And I've often thought back about the people who'd be using the pool or the gym at the same time as me. Does Naked Lady still stop and chat to people without her clothes on? Does Splashy still splash, or has he reined himself in so as not to swamp his fellow pool-users? And I've just remembered the two middle-aged ladies I once met in the steam room who were having a go at their legs with exfoliating sponges. I never went in there again - now that was revolting! 🤣
Laughing out loud!!! There are SO many pool-related vignettes that I've wanted to erase, but here they are again. I want to meet all of those folks: Horrid Teacher, Naked Lady, Splashy, Exfoliating Duo! I hope they all play themselves in the movie about your life, (Mis)Adventures of RH.
'Exfoliating Duo' - yes, they're DEFINITELY on the character list for the movie, and now they're actually going to be called that! Thank you soooooooooooo much for naming them so beautifully for me!
(I wonder if Naked Lady would consider playing the role herself? She's certainly got the confidence!)
Thank you so much, Mary! I had great fun with this one, particularly trying to get the fizzy whiteness of the breaking waves! My desk was a MESS...!!! 🤣
What a beautiful gift your dad gave you by telling you that how you swim, how you are, is lovely. 💛
It’s a remind to me this morning that however I am, it’s exactly what I need to be. And that doing life my way makes a difference! There’s no need for perfection. Finding joy in things I’m not good at it is my ongoing quest.
Amanda, thank you so much for this lovely comment! And I'm right with you in the idea of finding joy in the things we're not good at - I think that adds all manner of colour to life! 🌈
Such gorgeous descriptions of swimming and it evoked such memories especially the wheat crunchies! I wonder if we take for granted that we had those swimming lessons, even if they were excruciating as I see them becoming a thing of the past. The most embarrassing thing I remember is forgetting my pants and having to borrow something from lost property, which turned out to be a pair of trunks! 😬. I'm still not the best swimmer, but have recently braved our local swimming baths again. I miss the sea too and also haven't been this year. There's still time...............
Ah yes, the Wheat Crunchies! They're not always available in supermarkets, but our local Village Stores sells them (but only in Worcestershire Sauce flavour)!
Oh my goodness me - the horrors of having to wear lost property - yup, I've been there, too!
So glad to hear you've been getting back to the pool! I really ought to rejoin mine. You've made me think about it - thank you!
And yes, there's still time! There will still be some warm days before the summer's completely over, I'm sure! 😊
Your evocation of the locker room, and the naked swimmer, remind me of the terror I too felt when confronted with unclothed swim-adjacent human beasts while chlorine reeked around me. It was one of the shocks of my young life to be naked amidst other naked boys and adults. I took that Garden of Eden lesson of “shame” and “nakedness” fully to heart. Childhood terror #647.
Gosh, that sounds like a terrible experience, Peter - I'm really sorry to hear about that.
That lady at the pool was really nice, and I was always in awe of her absolute confidence - but I would always find it very odd that she'd stand there in front of me absolutely naked as the day she was born just having a friendly chat about anything and everything. If she'd just walked past to get changed, that would be one thing, but no, all that naked chatting was part of her daily routine!
I love this story, Rebecca- you finding joy in something you could have easily been turned off by forever. As a fellow water baby, I just love hearing about your love of the water
The rites of swimming passage seem more an initiation! Your stories evoke many a swimming/sinking memory! And where do they find these teachers?! It's like, life is hard, so we're going to try to kill ya to make you tuff!
The art is amazing. Someday I may dabble. You kept us rolling; and I'm glad you're still friends with that water stuff!
LOL - yes, absolutely an initiation! Something to be endured, not enjoyed! 🤣 And bad teachers have a LOT to answer for - I've been taught (and, more to the point, NOT taught) by some absolute shockers over the years (in all sorts of subjects)!
Doooooo dabble in art! I'd always wanted to create art but always felt discouraged (by myself, mostly!). When I discovered Everything Art and their Wanderlust course I'd 'found' my medium! They're actually doing a totally free 'Wanderlust live' weekend at the beginning of September - it's a dive in to mixed media artwork, and is certain to be great fun. I registered for it yesterday, and although I'm not going to be able to make it to the sessions live, I'll be drinking in the replays!
Oh my gosh, I've got so much to say about this post. I LOVE swimming, floating, wading, paddling... if I'm in the water, I'm happy. Shame on your teacher, I felt so angry reading your story. And also the fool laughing and pointing at you. Goodness sakes, what is wrong with people? I'm so happy you had the courage, determination and strength to keep swimming! That photo says it all. No one was going to keep that happy little water baby down! 💜💜💜
Thank you so much, Sue! That teacher was horrid - none of us liked her, even the ones who were good at sport. And people are surprising, aren't they? I'm pretty certain that the man who'd pointed and laughed had mistaken me for someone he knew who was trying to kid him that they couldn't swim!
That picture of me in the sea ALWAYS makes me laugh! I was obviously having a really lovely time! ♥️
I can't swim either! Just a succession of poor experiences but I still love water (hot tubs are a good fit for me.)
I love that I'm in such great company in this post! I've learned so much about other people's swimming experiences here that I feel absolutely fine about my own!
And YESSSSSSSSS to hot tubs - sounds perfect, Mya! 😊
Gosh, all power to you and your refusals, Mitchell - I wish that had occurred to me, too! 🤣
Given better circumstances, of course - and a teacher who could actually do the job! - I might have been able to enjoy those lessons, and heck, actually learned something?! Oh well! I'm happy just to bumble around doing my trusty doggy paddle, and never mind what anybody thinks! 🙌
Thank you so much, Luisa! Kindred spirits, aren't we? 😘
What an absolutely HORRIFIC experience that must have been - that instructor has a lot to answer for! Poor you - and your mum, for the horror at not seeing you come up.
That PE teacher I mentioned had once got into trouble after an injury to a pupil that was the result of lining everyone up along the pool and getting them to jump straight in WITH THEIR LEGS LOCKED. The kids at the deep end were fine - but the girl at the other end of the line where the pool was shallower suffered terrible and long-lasting knee damage.
I can do EXCELLENT breaststroke... for two strokes! By the time I get to the third I'm already out of synch! 🤣
Well done for disarming that rude person with a smile. I had a teacher like that too: made me feel useless because I couldn't swim fast. Still, I enjoy swimming and cycling, you enjoy swimming and running, so who cares about such people now? 😉
Right on, Terry! 💜
I'll second Sue's comment.
Thanks, Terry! I'm finding I care less and less about what other people think as time goes on - ha! 😊
You know that's a sign of getting old, right?
It's not the first, Terry, trust me....! 🤣
😂
One of the JOYS of getting old is not caring what others think. Bliss.
🙌🙌🙌
❤️ “paddled doggedly” intentional pun I’m sure!
YES! Well spotted! 🤣
That painting is just the loveliest view. Swimmers so often look back to the shore and to see the shore portrayed is perfect.
Your swimming - what an awful beginning you had. I suspect if you had been a child in Australia, the situation would have been entirely different - swimming is part of life here. But in any event, it doesn't matter. You're in the water and doing it your way and enjoying it, that is all that matters. Go you!
Thank you, Prue! My initial intention had been to put my feet into the picture - but shhhh, I found it too difficult! 🤣
It might be different now, so many years on, but I think it's a shame that swimming for very young children isn't promoted more. Water safety is so important, but so is swimming for fitness. I think I'd like to get back to pool swimming one day - I might even take some lessons. Jim used to swim competitively, and his sister is an instructor. No excuses, right?! 🤣 I can't help thinking that I'd simply default to doggy paddle, though!
My husband had adult lessons after deciding he just wasn't good enough, but he reverted to his old style and who cares in all honesty as he gets out in the surf, can float and swim far enough for safety and loves a swim on a hot day. As long as you and he are safe, it's all that matters. XXXX
D'you know, I think if I took lessons know I'd probably also just bounce back to my old style, too! I love that your husband loves his swimming - like you, I think if those of us who aren't necessarily skilled in that department are safe in the water and having a good time, that's all we need! 🙌
I’m really enjoying the evolution and solidification of your art style; rich use of colour yet there’s this ethereal quality to the work. (Now that I see those words, I think that’s how I’d describe your writing, too.)
Also, I’d like to paraphrase the Canadian character “Bubbles” in response to those boys and that wretch of a teacher, but this is a family comment threads. So a big smile it is 😃
Oh Bryn, thank you for such lovely words - that's so kind of you!
And LOL re 'Bubbles' - I've just read the Wikipedia entry for him, and I can only imagine what words you might be thinking here! 🤣
The company whose online course I learned mixed media art journalling from is doing a free live weekend course online at the beginning of September - I registered yesterday, and I'm looking forward to doing some of the classes on catch-up.
https://www.everything-art.com/p/wanderlust-live-2023 (not an affiliate link, and it's totally free!)
Thanks so much! I signed up and hope I can join some of the sessions ☺️
YAY!!! 🎨
Also LOL and props to you for looking up the esteemed philosopher Bubbles 😅
🤣
"Yes, yes, yes!" I said silently as I read and chuckled my way through this post. There are so many great descriptors, these are two of my favs: "...an unsympathetic woman with little aptitude for teaching and an undisguised dislike for children" and this about the very friendly lady with a beautiful freestyle stroke who would stop to chat sans covering, "I admired her self-confidence, but found it hard to know where (not) to look." So many faces from my past popped into my head as I read through; it's as if moments in our past are parallel. Loved this!
LOL Mary - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your lovely words!
That teacher was HORRID, honestly! And I've often thought back about the people who'd be using the pool or the gym at the same time as me. Does Naked Lady still stop and chat to people without her clothes on? Does Splashy still splash, or has he reined himself in so as not to swamp his fellow pool-users? And I've just remembered the two middle-aged ladies I once met in the steam room who were having a go at their legs with exfoliating sponges. I never went in there again - now that was revolting! 🤣
Laughing out loud!!! There are SO many pool-related vignettes that I've wanted to erase, but here they are again. I want to meet all of those folks: Horrid Teacher, Naked Lady, Splashy, Exfoliating Duo! I hope they all play themselves in the movie about your life, (Mis)Adventures of RH.
'Exfoliating Duo' - yes, they're DEFINITELY on the character list for the movie, and now they're actually going to be called that! Thank you soooooooooooo much for naming them so beautifully for me!
(I wonder if Naked Lady would consider playing the role herself? She's certainly got the confidence!)
I forgot to mention how much I love your art!
Thank you so much, Mary! I had great fun with this one, particularly trying to get the fizzy whiteness of the breaking waves! My desk was a MESS...!!! 🤣
What a beautiful gift your dad gave you by telling you that how you swim, how you are, is lovely. 💛
It’s a remind to me this morning that however I am, it’s exactly what I need to be. And that doing life my way makes a difference! There’s no need for perfection. Finding joy in things I’m not good at it is my ongoing quest.
Thank you for sharing!
Amanda, thank you so much for this lovely comment! And I'm right with you in the idea of finding joy in the things we're not good at - I think that adds all manner of colour to life! 🌈
My experiences exactly!
I always seemed to get water up my nose and get a terrible burning sensation
I hardly ever swim although we live by the sea
I paddle ...
Paddling's always good, Sarah!
Ugh to the water up the nose thing - that's horrid! I never really liked the idea of wearing one of those nose clips, though. 👀
Never would use a nose clip ! Fear of suffocation ! That’s my problem with swimming generally ..
I put one on once... and took it straight off again! 🫣
Such gorgeous descriptions of swimming and it evoked such memories especially the wheat crunchies! I wonder if we take for granted that we had those swimming lessons, even if they were excruciating as I see them becoming a thing of the past. The most embarrassing thing I remember is forgetting my pants and having to borrow something from lost property, which turned out to be a pair of trunks! 😬. I'm still not the best swimmer, but have recently braved our local swimming baths again. I miss the sea too and also haven't been this year. There's still time...............
Ah yes, the Wheat Crunchies! They're not always available in supermarkets, but our local Village Stores sells them (but only in Worcestershire Sauce flavour)!
Oh my goodness me - the horrors of having to wear lost property - yup, I've been there, too!
So glad to hear you've been getting back to the pool! I really ought to rejoin mine. You've made me think about it - thank you!
And yes, there's still time! There will still be some warm days before the summer's completely over, I'm sure! 😊
Lovely all around. All that’s missing is a video of you swimming ... I would love to see that stroke!
Thanks, Tom!
LOL - nobody needs to see that, trust me! 🤣
The paintings are beautiful!
That's so kind of you, Jen - thank you! 😘
Your evocation of the locker room, and the naked swimmer, remind me of the terror I too felt when confronted with unclothed swim-adjacent human beasts while chlorine reeked around me. It was one of the shocks of my young life to be naked amidst other naked boys and adults. I took that Garden of Eden lesson of “shame” and “nakedness” fully to heart. Childhood terror #647.
Gosh, that sounds like a terrible experience, Peter - I'm really sorry to hear about that.
That lady at the pool was really nice, and I was always in awe of her absolute confidence - but I would always find it very odd that she'd stand there in front of me absolutely naked as the day she was born just having a friendly chat about anything and everything. If she'd just walked past to get changed, that would be one thing, but no, all that naked chatting was part of her daily routine!
I love this story, Rebecca- you finding joy in something you could have easily been turned off by forever. As a fellow water baby, I just love hearing about your love of the water
Awwww, thank you so much, Camille! 😘
The rites of swimming passage seem more an initiation! Your stories evoke many a swimming/sinking memory! And where do they find these teachers?! It's like, life is hard, so we're going to try to kill ya to make you tuff!
The art is amazing. Someday I may dabble. You kept us rolling; and I'm glad you're still friends with that water stuff!
LOL - yes, absolutely an initiation! Something to be endured, not enjoyed! 🤣 And bad teachers have a LOT to answer for - I've been taught (and, more to the point, NOT taught) by some absolute shockers over the years (in all sorts of subjects)!
Doooooo dabble in art! I'd always wanted to create art but always felt discouraged (by myself, mostly!). When I discovered Everything Art and their Wanderlust course I'd 'found' my medium! They're actually doing a totally free 'Wanderlust live' weekend at the beginning of September - it's a dive in to mixed media artwork, and is certain to be great fun. I registered for it yesterday, and although I'm not going to be able to make it to the sessions live, I'll be drinking in the replays!
https://www.everything-art.com/p/wanderlust-live-2023 (not an affiliate link, and it's totally free!)
Thanks Rebecca, that sounds appealing! My wife has dabbled in watercolors-so she may give it a go as well! 👋
Brilliant! 🎨
Oh my gosh, I've got so much to say about this post. I LOVE swimming, floating, wading, paddling... if I'm in the water, I'm happy. Shame on your teacher, I felt so angry reading your story. And also the fool laughing and pointing at you. Goodness sakes, what is wrong with people? I'm so happy you had the courage, determination and strength to keep swimming! That photo says it all. No one was going to keep that happy little water baby down! 💜💜💜
Thank you so much, Sue! That teacher was horrid - none of us liked her, even the ones who were good at sport. And people are surprising, aren't they? I'm pretty certain that the man who'd pointed and laughed had mistaken me for someone he knew who was trying to kid him that they couldn't swim!
That picture of me in the sea ALWAYS makes me laugh! I was obviously having a really lovely time! ♥️
Yes, you were! I love it!
😘