I did my research and came up with an idea and asked her opinion. I told her that would be a new place for her to swim where she could learn more and that she would be able to compete for medals. The competition was enough to get her sold on the idea, in spite of the unknown factor for her. She agreed and we went to the tryout for the LOL Lightning Team last Monday.
When I arrived in there, I saw a tone of kids mostly her age or a little older. The instructor called each kid and asked them to swim free style and backstroke in this huge pool. I got a little nervous because of the size of the pool but thought she could do it. I just asked her to swim close to the edge (in case she got tired) and do what she had already learned at Seal Swim and try her best.
As I saw the kids in front of her, I breathed a sigh of relief. With the exception of one kid, the poor kids could barely float, let alone execute the styles. When it was Bianca's turn, the instructor kept asking where she had learned how to swim and what a great job they had done. I knew she had killed it.
Yesterday in the morning we got an email confirming that she had made the team and could start this coming week, hooray!! I was so proud for her!
The "recommended" schedule for kids her age is grueling. It includes pratices 4 times a week, 45 min each day. It is no wonder why this country outperforms all others in the Olympic Games.
As excited as I am, I do not plan to put Bianca through this schedule, unless she decides she really wants to dedicate herself to swimming. I had high ideals of becoming an athlete while growing up. While I would never impose my dreams onto her, today I am even less tempted to do so. I am very realistic of what it takes to get there. A life of sacrifice, little playtime and rare glory. Sacrificing her playtime, her teenage years is something she should only do for something else she is very passionate about. And if it ever comes to that, this decision will solely be hers. In any case, I will be there either cheering her on her social life or on the bleachers seeing her swim, play soccer or whatever it is that she wants to do.
