Introduction to competitive swimming at school

Sports has never been a big part of my life, except as a reminder of how physically inept I am (too slow, too uncoordinated, too timid, too weak). PE was always a humiliating time: I would be the one that dragged down Yellow house and at secondary school and JC, I would be lucky if I passed the physical fitness test.

Beth has inherited my bookish tendencies. Her sports experience has so far been limited to swimming after school (Wyndham Leisure Centre and this year, Paul Sadler), one basketball clinic, the 8-week swim program at school, and the annual JS Sports Carnival.

Contrast this with her best friend, who has been swimming in a squad for years, plays basketball and netball, and is an excellent student to boot.

So it's refreshing - and a bit of an eye-opener - to get an actual insight into what parents of sporty kids do to support them through sports carnivals and meets.

This year, Beth decided to do something different: she has set her sights on the Hoppers Crossing Primary School Swim Carnival on 2 March. Selection trials are on 22 Feb, and 4 training sessions have been scheduled every Tue and Thu starting today. The sessions are from 7 - 8 am, whic means getting up at 6+ and getting out of the house by 6.45.

Beth is not a morning person, but this new challenge has motivated her to rise without too much complaint, and to actually be excited about getting into her bathers (brrr!) at an hour when she would still be snoozing.

Poor Miss J had no choice but to come along in her PJs, half asleep on my shoulder and unhappy about the cold (must remember to bring blanket for her next time).

It was amazing to see so many mums and dads at 7 am at the poolside (Werribee Outdoor Olympic Pool), all here for the same purpose. Most of them look like they have been there done that. They're the calm relaxed and organized ones, swim bag and uniform on one arm and handbag in the other hand, chatting amiably with each other and/or the coach, or wandering off to grab a coffee to fend off the cold. At 5 to 8, they start getting their kids out of the pool so there's enough time for a quick shower and change into school uniform, maybe breakfast in the car, and the drive to school.

After observing Mr Z ordering Beth to the side to rest, it was quite clear that she has a lot of work to do if she wants to get up to competitive level like her peers, who were stroking effortlessly up and down the pool.

Afterwards, Beth was really tired but she also said something interesting: that this morning activity has energized her for school.

It's a good start and I look forward to watching my little bookworm develop into a well-rounded child.