by Janice Jaicks

Two summers ago I traveled to Ahwatukee to help Jake then age 2, in his backyard pool for his lesson. Jake was shy, fearful and insisted on having BOTH his parents in the pool with us. I had to jump hoops to get Jake to blow even one bubble while playing with our special 'eggs'. This went on for quite some time. Jake's parents were very 'attentive' and cautious parents and worked with him in the pool daily. Fall came and Jake joined me at our indoor pool for the parent/tot classes. By this point he was swimming a few feet and really was at 'the head of the class'. We moved him up to the beginner level with no parent in the pool. He flourished, but it was a slow process since Jake was still only 2 ½ and his arms and kicks only took him so far. Jake's parents kept him in indoor lessons almost year-round. Barely turning 3, Jake can now swim across the entire Fitness Forum pool, which is 25 meters, doing freestyle and backstroke! He can also tread water. Jake is very water safe, very comfortable and although his parents would never leave him alone, they rest easier and love the fact that he enjoys swimming so much.