Late last summer after telling a co-worker I was taking my son to swiming at the local YMCA he asked me if I'd seen coach Steve at the pool. My co-worker explained that Coach Steve was an older man who'd taught him to swim in his mid 30's and that he was thinking of taking lessons again, but wasn't sure if Coach Steve was still coaching since the pool had closed due to COVID-19.
The next time I was at the pool, I saw an older man walking the pool deck while coaching a young swimmer. After his lesson was over I asked the man, "are you Coach Steve?" He said Yes, and I explained that my co-worker was interested in taking lessons. Coach Steve explained that there were no adult group lessons but that private lessons may be possible. Coach then gave me his business card and told me he had been teaching swimming for over 67 years.
I was on swim team in elementary school, but hadn't swam a lap in over 30 years. I know swimming is a good low impact exercise that can be done with old age, and the idea of taking private lessons with my co-worker flooded into my head.
The next day I asked my co-worker if he was interested in taking weekly private lessons together and he agreed.
Our first lesson exposed just how out of shape I was and how much room for improvement in lie ahead. Simply swimming 50m was very difficult. Coach Steve was just what we needed. He would push us hard, while helping to improve our strokes. Now after just 5 months of working with Coach Steve we're swimming 1,200+m each practice is and feeling great!
Never before have I had a coach I respect as much as Coach Steve! Coach Steve recently turned 90 years young, and continues to maintain a very active a high quality of life. What an inspiration!!
Comments
Post a Comment