tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post2544323373226052635..comments2024-02-25T04:14:21.673-08:00Comments on Life in the Land of the Rising Sun: SwimmingKate Minorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10369706735791664234noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-4813088224952161212011-06-26T20:52:26.502-07:002011-06-26T20:52:26.502-07:00I think that's fabulous. I was one of those aw...I think that's fabulous. I was one of those awkward 9th graders who found an excuse to skip PE classes when we did the week-long swimming unit because I don't know how to swim. The unit was basically just testing your skills as opposed to teaching them to you, so if you didn't know how it was not a fabulous experience. As an adult I've learned a bit here and there... basically enough to keep me from drowning for a small amount of time. But it would have been awesome to learn that with everyone else in elementary school.Therapeutic Songbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10197249173105308906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74859603464893976.post-19117669415603114612011-06-26T08:30:45.565-07:002011-06-26T08:30:45.565-07:00I strongly think Japan has the right idea. Swimmin...I strongly think Japan has the right idea. Swimming lessons should be mandatory. I realize that some areas of the US are not as rich with lakes and streams as MN is. However, every time I hear about a child drowning because their parents cannot go in and save them it makes me so sad. As a lifeguard and former swimming teacher (and I was on swim team for 10 years) there is no reason that anyone should not know enough to tread water and wait for rescue. Or better yet, elementary back stroke, or a basic front crawl. I remember last summer somewhere in the south, I think 5 children drown as they tried to save one another when one stepped off a drop off in a river they were wading in. One whet down, then one tried to save them and they went down...like horrible dominoes. A few mandatory and basic lessons could have saved them.Brooke Kraftheferhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/scatteredstardustnoreply@blogger.com