How I Learned to Love Swimming

When I was in third grade, I had a hard time learning how to swim. I was very scared of deep water and didn’t like putting my head under it. During swimming classes, I always stayed at the shallow end of the pool by myself and quietly watched others swim.

One day, my teacher asked me to try swimming to the middle of the pool—yes, the deepest part. I was nervous but said yes because I wanted to be where my classmates were. As I stepped forward, I lost my balance and slipped underwater. I swallowed a mouthful of water and couldn’t breathe. Water rushed into my nose and mouth, and the chlorine stung my eyes. I waved my hands for help because I couldn’t come up. I thought I was going to drown. Luckily, the teacher pulled me out in time. I was shaking and crying.

Just when I was about to give up, I saw my best friends and other classmates in the middle of the pool shouting to me, “Come on over, Vivian! We’re all waiting for you!” I also saw their smiles. I wiped away my tears, put my goggles back on, held onto my teacher’s arm, and slowly made my way to the center.

I kept trying that summer. I practiced floating, kicking, and breathing. After a few weeks, I was able to swim across the pool. I was so proud of myself. I learned that fear can be overcome with effort—and encouragement from good friends.

Vivian is a 7th grader at Hui-Wen High School in Taichung, Taiwan. She has discovered a love for expressing her thoughts and emotions through writing, finding comfort and creativity in the power of words.