Bronze Award

After swimming for approximately 16 months (there were breaks in between), Nicole made it to the Bronze award!

There were quite a number of criteria:

1. Straddle or tuck jump entry from the side of the pool, and swim 50m

2. Demonstrate ability to "drown proof" for 1 minute

3. Tread water for 3 minutes

4. Undress in water and demonstrate ability to make float from attire

5. Swim 400m using any stroke

6. One surface dive must be executed and swim submerged for at least 5m

7. Climb out from the deep end of the pool without the use of steps or assistance

As the candidates gathered around the tester, he shouted “ There are 19 of you. The short short one come to the front. I can not see you. You, you and you! “ (N was of the “short short one” being only 5.5 years old)

Purely judging from their physical size and maturity, N was probably the youngest amongst all.

When they were undergoing the test to demonstrate the ability to make a float from their pyjamas, my heartbeat almost stopped momentarily because on 2 occasions, N was pushed down by other older kids, as all were competing/struggling to tie the knots on the pyjamas. Eventually, she came up with the float after suffering much “unintentional bullying”. You have no idea how relieved I was upon seeing her complete her tasks.

The final test was the 400m swim (8 laps). She completed it with little effort as her strokes were neat and smooth.

Well done, my little angel fish! You are my pride and joy!