For 5 straight days, Noah and I took Branden to the compressed swim course at their swim school. On the last day, the final day was a big test. Paying the high fee of 6,400 yen or whatever for the 5 day course does NOT in anyway guarantee you will pass. So many kids failed. And though maybe I should not mention that part, it's true. Lots did not make it, unfortunately. : (Everyday the coach would write up what you did not do correctly so you could make corrections for the following day.
Here is a picture of Noah while waiting for his brother to come out to swim one of the mornings.
Here is a gorgeous shot of Noah another morning while at the swimming school.
What a beautiful boy!
And this picture was taken on the final day. Though I should not say this. We sort of knew Branden would pass. Because on the note/comments each day. The first day the coach wrote a correction. She said for Branden to not put his head forward to only move it to the side and that's why he was losing time. Once he heard that he made the proper correction and he never did that again. So the 2nd day, the note said, sorta like, great job your time is that you'd pass. The 3rd day said same sort of comment, you're time is great and if you swim like today on the day of the test you'll pass. Same stuff the 4th day. So, we sort of knew he'd probably pass. But of course, not wanting to be overly confident either. On the 5th day, Noboru went for the final day with Noah and I. The 7 kids total including Branden, all swam in the same row as Branden. The 3 boys were all #5's and all wishing to be #4's. 1 little boy did not pass.: ( And that was very sad. 2 out of the 4 little girls were #6's and hoping to be #5's and did not make it either. For the 8 years old and under category to pass you'd have to swim 1 minute and 3 seconds. Or under. Branden made it in 56 seconds back and forth the length of the pool. 50 meters. So he did awesome with time to spare even.
Branden diving in starting his test.
His coach standing along the side of the pool with stop watch in hand. He killed it! (in a good way) He blew that test right out of the water! Branden did so fantastic. I wanted to jump up and down. But I knew other parents were nervous and their kids were not up yet, so I sat quietly to be respectful of the ones not yet having a turn to test yet. I was loudly cheering on the inside though. : )
His certificate and the time of 56 seconds on there. And new #4.
His notes from the 5 days. He honestly did really well. Both the boys are really good swimmers though anyways.
The time you have to make to pass depends on your age. The older you are the shorter time they give you. Anyway congratulations dear Branden, we are so proud of you!!! : )
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