I can swim now!

Ormond Beach Observer
Sports

The first line of business – or swimming lessons – with my good friend Ron Calugar began with him sending all of his family away from the house. They were not going to get a day’s worth of laughter out of my aquatic failures –which kicked off at the very beginning of my lesson.

I followed Ron’s lead in jumping into the water, as opposed to easing myself into the chilly area, but I didn’t know I had jumped into the deep end.

(glub glub glub glub glub…this was the sound of me drowning) I bet Ron didn’t think he’d have to save my life within the first 10 seconds of teaching me how to swim. I wanted to end the lesson right there, but I doubt Ron would’ve allowed it, and I’m glad he didn’t.

So first, he tried to teach me how to move my hands back and forth to stay afloat. That didn’t work. I could only move them in fast, panic motions, which seemed to only take me down faster.

Then he tried to get my legs into the action. Didn’t work either. Kicking my legs was as meaningless as holding my breath to avoid water getting in my nose. I had to drain my nose at least 20 times in the few hours I was there. That never felt pleasant.

After an hour and a half of failing at nearly everything, Ron finally taught me how to float on my back while blowing up my lungs, and we found success! Ron’s ultimate goal was to teach me how to survive, and he had achieved what I thought was impossible. Many others had previously attempted to teach me how to swim, but their attempts only proved futile.

The following day, I returned to Ron’s house, and I even took my nephew along and allowed Ron’s son Zion to swim as I continued to learn. I spent the entire time in the pool in the deep area, and I actually enjoyed myself. History was made.

The pool experience will never be the same for me anymore. Though I still have some learning to do, I’m well pleased with Ron teaching me the things I do know, and I can’t wait to get back into the water – the deep end.