Swimming

It appears that I've not written about swimming for almost a year.  There are two swimming pools within easy reach of home: one in Shipley, which is walkable to, and one in  Keighley, which is a 10 minute drive.  If I was going swimming myself, the Shipley one would be best, as it has a proper shaped pool (rectangular) as well as a very advanced locker system.  But the one is Keighley is much better for Marisca.  The learner pool has broad steps, is quite shallow at that end, and has a little elephant slide.  The bigger pool has a paddling area and a sealion fountain. 

We now go there every couple of weeks: just me and Marisca.  The last couple of times she's really grown into it.  We have armbands now, and I think they've really added to her confidence.  She walks about, bouncing up and down in the water; she loves walking up and down the steps (although she's still too short to hold onto the handrail above her head); she 'jumps' from the side into the pool; and she really likes the slide.  Her dislike of water on her face during bathtime doesn't seem to translate to the pool, where her favourite thing seems to be jumping/sliding in and getting a big splash that takes her under the water.

I'm really pleased at her adventurousness.  It can be difficult when she decides she wants to go it alone out of her depth but she can keep afloat for a few moments before realising she can't reach the bottom and wants her daddy afterall.

Now, how old does she need to be before we can go on the flume?