“Would love to learn to swim,” typed Debbie White in her first message to Kathryn Fishman-Weaver (“Coach Kat”). She continued with a sentiment we often hear in the adult learn-to-swim program: “I have wanted to learn for some time but never had the opportunity, as family and work always seemed to take priority.”
What Debbie said next, though, was something Coach Kat hadn’t heard before.
Debbie explained that she wanted to take her lessons in secret from her extended family. She planned to surprise them—especially her granddaughters—during their annual Labor Day weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Soon, the two started lessons at the indoor pool.
They began by getting comfortable in the water, then moved to floating and gliding.
Debbie and her husband joined Wilson’s for extra swim practice and regular access to the pool. If possible, “try to have a place to practice between sessions,” recommends Debbie. “You realize things you need to ask during the next session, and you find what you are better at and what needs more work.”
Finding a Rhythm
In addition to building swim skills, Coach Kat said she wanted to help Debbie think of her sessions as a special time just for her.
“We talked about setting up rituals around swim sessions. In addition to all the physical health and safety benefits of the sport, swimming is also great for mental health and wellness.”
Coach Kat offered strategies for arriving, stretching, acclimating, practicing with purpose, settling in, and celebrating. “In this way, we weren’t only finding rhythm in our strokes; we were also finding a rhythm in how we practice.”
As the youth teams wrapped up their summer season, Coach Kat moved her adult learn-to-swim lessons outdoors. This gave her swimmers access to deeper water, including the 9-foot diving well.
“Since we knew Debbie was preparing for her big swim reveal at the lake,” said Coach Kat, “I wanted her to have practice in water where she couldn’t touch.”
Courage in Deep Water
Swimming in deep water takes courage. Debbie said “all the positivity” Coach Kat offered during the lessons changed her mindset about what she could do in the pool.
“You,” she says, smiling at Coach Kat, “made me believe in myself.”
There is always a lot of smiling and laughter in swim lessons with Coach Kat, and Debbie says those joyful moments were her favorite.
As summer began to wind down and the Labor Day reveal drew closer, they fit in a couple more practices at the outdoor pool. Coach Kat said it was important to go over safety skills, including finding an exit and being able to turn onto your back to rest. Just before the holiday weekend, they practiced as the sky shifted from afternoon to evening.
The Big Reveal
Family and the lake play are constants in Debbie’s Labor Day celebrations. Over the years, her grandchildren have joined in the fun. This year, much to their delight, there was another swimmer out in the lake.
Debbie said her six-year-old granddaughter couldn’t believe it.
“I am so happy you learned to swim!” she sang out to her grandmother as the two stayed in the lake a little longer.
“That is what adult learn-to-swim is all about!” says Coach Kat, who gets a little choked up thinking about Debbie and her granddaughter swimming together in open water and sunshine.
Debbie agrees.
“Don’t delay!” she says. “If you have been considering lessons, do it. You will not regret the time or money at all.”
One More Swim
After the holiday weekend, Debbie had one more lesson, and she brought her husband and son with her to celebrate her pool skills. Both were beaming.
Her son recorded almost the entire lesson, cheering for his mom as she swam back and forth across the 25-yard pool. When she climbed out at the end of the night, Coach Kat presented her with a certificate.
There was a chill in the air, a sign that fall was coming, and promises that the two would see each other soon at the pool.