MOE Swimsafer Program Lesson #6

Today marked the sixth MOE SwimSafer lesson, a session filled with important skills, challenges, and memorable moments. The coach began the class by recapping key swimming techniques and safety tips to ensure that all students were well-prepared for their SwimSafer certification. Despite the lively atmosphere, there were moments of disruption, but the class ultimately turned into a productive and enjoyable experience.

Weather outcome: Sunny and Windy. Water abit cold.

Recap and Instructions

The session started with a comprehensive review of essential swimming drills. The coach patiently went over each technique, ensuring that students could recall and execute the skills learned in previous lessons. From proper breathing techniques to arm movements for freestyle and backstroke, the coach emphasized the importance of precision and practice.

However, not all students were fully engaged. A few boys in the class were distracted, talking to each other and ignoring the coach’s instructions. Their behavior became disruptive, affecting the focus of the other students. Recognizing the impact on the class, the coach wisely handed the matter over to the teacher-in-charge, who addressed the situation promptly. This intervention restored order and allowed the lesson to proceed smoothly.

Building Water Confidence

One of the key objectives of today’s lesson was to build water confidence. The coach understood that some students were still hesitant and fearful of the water. He encouraged everyone to face their fears and participate actively in the drills.

The practice session began in the shallow pool, where the water depth was around one meter. The coach led the students through various swimming drills, focusing on body positioning, arm movements, and kicking techniques. The shallow depth provided a safe environment for students to practice without feeling overwhelmed.

Overcoming the Challenge of Swimming Without Goggles

A significant part of the lesson involved learning to swim and retrieve objects without goggles. The coach explained the importance of this skill, emphasizing that there might be situations where swimmers would have to navigate underwater without the comfort of goggles.

The task was simple yet daunting: students had to remove their goggles, place them at the bottom of the pool, and then retrieve them while keeping their eyes open underwater. For many, this was a challenging and uncomfortable experience.

When it was my turn, I hesitated. The moment I submerged my face without goggles, I felt a sharp stinging sensation in my eyes. The discomfort made me instinctively want to close my eyes tightly and give up. The coach noticed my struggle and approached me with encouragement.

“You can do this,” he said reassuringly. “Just try to relax and blink a few times to get used to the water.”

His calm demeanor and motivating words gave me the courage to try again. With repeated attempts and the coach’s guidance, I gradually became more comfortable. After several tries, I was finally able to open my eyes underwater and retrieve my goggles. It was a small victory, but it felt significant.

A Fun and Interactive Activity

The coach then gathered all the goggles from the students and placed them together in a pile at the bottom of the pool. He instructed each student to dive down, find their own pair of goggles, and bring them back.

This task proved to be both challenging and entertaining. Some students mistakenly picked up the wrong goggles, leading to moments of laughter and playful teasing. The pool was filled with giggles as students swapped goggles and tried again.

“Hey, that’s mine!” one student exclaimed, holding up a pair of goggles.

“Oops, sorry!” his friend responded with a sheepish grin.

The coach allowed us to enjoy the activity while subtly reinforcing the importance of paying attention to details and remaining calm underwater. It was a creative way to build both water confidence and observational skills.

Valuable Lessons Learned

As the session continued, the coach provided individual feedback to each student. He praised those who had shown improvement and offered constructive advice to those who needed additional practice. His approach was both supportive and motivating, making everyone feel valued and encouraged.

I reflected on the progress I had made during the lesson. Overcoming the fear of opening my eyes underwater without goggles was a significant achievement. It taught me that persistence and a positive attitude could help overcome challenges, even in situations that initially seemed daunting.

Importance of Discipline and Focus

The disruptions caused by the few mischievous boys earlier in the class served as a reminder of the importance of discipline and focus during lessons. Swimming is a skill that requires full attention, especially when learning techniques that could one day save lives. The coach’s decision to involve the teacher-in-charge was a wise one, ensuring that the class could proceed without further distractions.

Reflection and Takeaways

As the lesson came to an end, the coach gathered us for a brief reflection. He asked us to share our thoughts on the day’s activities and the challenges we had faced.

“What was the most difficult part of today’s lesson?” he asked.

Several students mentioned the task of retrieving goggles without wearing them. I shared my experience of initially struggling but eventually succeeding.

“That’s fantastic progress,” the coach said with a smile. “Remember, swimming is as much about mental strength as it is about physical skills. Never give up, and always believe in your ability to overcome challenges.”

His words resonated with me and reinforced the importance of resilience and determination.

Looking Ahead

With the sixth lesson completed, I felt a renewed sense of confidence and excitement for the upcoming sessions. The coach mentioned that future lessons would focus on refining swim strokes and introducing new survival skills. I was eager to continue learning and improving.

In conclusion, today’s MOE SwimSafer lesson was a testament to the power of perseverance, effective coaching, and the joy of learning. Despite the initial disruptions and challenges, the session turned into a valuable and memorable experience. The journey to becoming a confident and skilled swimmer continued, and I was grateful for the lessons learned both in and out of the water.Coach was explaining technique about swimming. They could miss out the important part of the swimming trick and that is.

My test is coming soon but I am going to practise more over the weekend. Following the coach’s advice and training tips, I am confident that I can overcome my fear.