Lucy's Swim Gala

Lucy's school (the American International School of Johannesburg, Pretoria Campus, see Feb'11 post) has a pool and for "PE" twice a week, she and her pre-K cronies have swim lessons.  It all culminated in early April (yes, I'm behind!) in a swim meet of sorts called the "Swim Gala."  All the kids got to show off their stuff.

All dressed up and ready to go.  (To her left is her friend Asha [from Canada], to her right is Adom [Ghana].)

 Some final instructions from her swim/gym teacher.  

And she's off!

 You go, girl.  (She's at right, in yellow cap.)  She's still learning free style, but did a bang up job.  

A quick video clip of L doing the backstroke. (They used noodle's for that.)

Click here to view video in YouTube.

 She told the crowd that Michael Phelps inspired her technique,
but her heart will always be with Gertrude Ederle.

Proud swimmer with her AISJ Swim Gala 2010 Medal.

She wore the medal for the rest of the day and into dinner (just as her dad would have done.)

Alas, fall has come and swimming is over. The safari continues, chlorine-free.

xo,

Glenn

P.S. Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim across the English Channel (1926). Apparently she had measles as a kid and became completely deaf in her mid 30s. She went on to teach swimming to deaf children for the remainder of her life. More...