Treading Water

I could never figure out this treading water business.  I'd watch people stay on top of the water vertically and talk at the same time !   It was a mystery to me.  Whenever I'd try it I looked like a flapping Canadian goose and end up going down or get totally lost in all my splashing.  In other words, I created a scene where it was not necessary.  So I just plain stopped trying.  I was either horizontal or just stood in shallow water - nothing in between.

Hence, the lessons with Carol taught me that fighting the water was counteractive and that is what I was doing.  The fast flapping motion did not work with the water and was counterproductive (besides, no one else does that !).  Gentle sweeping motions of the arms with egg beater'ish movements of the legs and I stayed up !  It's an amazing feeling to have accomplished something that was a mystery for over 40 years.

Today I swam in our condo pool (the one that's a perfect size) and went to the middle part at the deepest depth and with a noodle nearby (more psychological than anything) I treaded water.  My goal is to do this counting to 20 every day and get accustomed to it until it feels natural.  I want to get to the point where I'm not so busy in my mind and just letting go and let the water carry me.

It's the best feeling in the world to let water hold me.  I now realize it's the same water as in the shallow end.  Buoyancy does not change with depth.  (Oooh..that was really good).