Guest Blog: Why I Love Swimming

My name is Elizabeth and I am 10 years old. I have been swimming ever since I was 4 months old, so I have been swimming for about 10 years. Some of the things I like to do besides swimming include water polo, reading, writing, playing piano, and doing sudoku puzzles.

I don’t remember my first swim lesson, nor how I felt about it, but I remember my first float test at Houston Swim Club! I remember I jumped in with a dress on and I floated immediately, so I passed. I don’t have the buoyancy I used to, but I do still get free lollipops (yes, FREE lollipops) when I’m done with the class.

I love HSC because I have lots of old instructors there that used to teach me. The staff members are super nice too. I really think I bonded with the instructors, like Mr Andrew, Mr Jeremy, and Mr Jeremy’s brother (I will miss you forever Mr Jeremy’s brother!), and all of the new instructors. The instructors I’ve never met are nice, I’m sure.

My favorite thing about swimming is that I can make new friends and work on my skills (although swim meets are SO LONG), and it brings relief to my family that there’s lesser chance of me drowning. My favorite stroke is Breastroke, mainly because I feel like a frog while doing it (funny story, I was at a swim meet about to do breaststroke and as I look down into the water there’s a frog there doing Breastroke!). My favorite swimming drill is when you dive underneath the water, touch the floor, come back up and perform butterfly arms.

Swimming during the school year is also fun. It helps me practice so I don’t forget! I’ve never swam in an outside pool during the winter, so I don’t know what it feels like, but I always bring a parka and hot chocolate (although at the Pearland Natatorium where I do water polo, the water is positively freezing. So in a way I do know)! Swimming all year has helped me get stronger. If I found a kid who only took lessons in the summer, I’d say join HSC (there are other clubs like HSC too if you can’t do HSC).

Swimming has helped me be more confident in a way, and swimming makes me feel more powerful. Swimming taught me to practice and not give up. I feel comfortable around water now.'

For all the other kids out there, don’t give up! Swimming may not be your passion, but it’s good to learn. It’s less likely you’ll drown, and if you learn, you can go to pools, beaches, and waterparks! Also keep an eye out for Howey if you do sign up, he’s great fun.

Written by Elizabeth, Age 10, lifelong swimmer at Houston Swim Club. 

Would YOU like to be a guest blogger for HSC? We'd love to hear from you! Write to us at howey@houstonswimclub.com and let us know!