Jonah has taken swimming lessons for the first time this summer with Kasey Brace of Aquatic Kids. Kasey (and sometimes her daugher Samantha) conduct classes at a heated pool at her home in Kenmore. She seems almost to sense a child’s abilities and limitations intuitively and always challenges them to do a little more than they can or care to. But she never crosses over the line into creating mortal fear. She is the perfect child swim instructor.
Before his lessons, Jonah was interested in the water but much more tentative than eager. After just a lesson or two his bravery quotient jumped tenfold. When I first saw him grab the glider over the pool and hold on for dear life as it sailed the entire length of the pool after which he dropped in (!)–I was stupefied and amazed.
In the Talmud, the responsibilities of a father toward his children are enumerated. Teaching them Torah is of course the highest priority. But it is fascinating to note that teaching a child to swim is also imperative on the father (he is “bound regarding his son to circumcise him, redeem him, teach him Torah, take a wife for him, and teach him a craft. Some say, to teach him to swim as well”–Jewish News Weekly of Northern California). So it gives me great pleasure to share these images of Jonah learning to swim. For more and larger images, please visit my Jonah Learns to Swim gallery at Pbase.com.
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