Swim Lessons

Ole Hanson Beach Club at North Beach,  San Clemente

The small pool is only 2-3 feet deep - a few hours in there can definitely give some back pain

Ole Hanson pool was built in the 1920's as a private beach club and remains a proud fixture of San Clemente. Now the city's only public pool, in between lap swim, aqua aerobics, and swim team practices, it also offers swim lessons to families every summer. The swim lessons are extremely affordable, and most San Clementians learn to swim at this historic little pool.

Unfortunately, cheap swim lessons usually mean crowded conditions and underpaid instructors.... After working there last summer, I promised myself a new job before I would have to deal with lessons again. But last Monday came around and before I knew it, there I was squatting in two feet of tepid water learning names, fixing goggles, and singing 'Wheels on the Bus'.
So far the kids and parents have been pretty well-behaved. (It's generally agreed among instructors that one of the worst part about swim lessons are the parents who don't discipline their kids, show up 10 minutes late, or throw a fit when their child is moved to a lower level - among other things)

So far no crazy parents, just kids being kids...
I always get the few that show up with stuff all over their face and chin:
Me - "Hi Emily! What did you have for lunch?"
Emily - "Pizza!!"
Me - "You don't say....Can't wait to be swimming with the remains."

And no matter how many times I say to keep their hands on the wall, and only jump when I call their name, some little boy always decides it would be a great idea to get out of the pool when I'm not looking and jump in at the other end. And then they're surprised that they sink to the bottom. But when I pull them out of the water, sputtering and half-drowned, they turn around and yell, "Hey Bwian, (cough) did you see me? (cough, cough) I just jumped in by myself!!"
Me - "Yup, which is exactly why you get a time-out." (And don't get any ideas, Brian)

Oh the joys, but the kids are quite endearing despite myself. Like when I say, "Alright, who wants to go on the kick board next?" and the entire class bursts out with MEEE!! MEE! ME MEME! MEME MEE! I'm always quite astounded. I don't think kick boarding is THAT fun, but I'm glad they like it.

Or when I tell them that the whole pool is their favorite ice cream, so they have to make their scoopers (cupped hands) as big as possible so they can scoop as much ice cream as possible. Then I ask what is their favorite ice cream and they respond, BANILLA!!!!

 It's exhausting, but when kids aren't spoiled, they're actually quite funny. And although I'm still looking for other employment, this first session back into teaching has been pretty entertaining.
Although for the record - private lessons are SO much more effective and worth the extra cash, in my opinion. I spend so much class time trying to keep order, making goggles tighter or less tight, trying to comfort the kid clinging to wall repeating "help, help, help, help..." while making sure another kid isn't off trying to kill himself with his fearlessness.

So take it from a veteran and often frazzled city employee -
-Get there on time
-Clean off faces and and rub in sunscreen (I hate it when parents hand me a white, slippery three-year-old)
-Make sure goggles fit, or better yet let them be in the water without them - their eyes will be fine and they won't be so ultra dependent on them.
- And if you can, get private lessons.