I remember sludging through the snow to get to swim meets. We’d bundle up to deal with the arctic temperatures outdoors, only to get to the heated natatoriums with our hands full of coats and boots. We, the family, would be sweating and miserable, while our children, the swimmers, were freezing for most of the meet.

We decided not to have our younger children do winter swimming for this reason.

But I have a theory about winter swimming, from personal experience. It makes you heartier. My older children rarely catch cold. I think it could have to do with swimming through the winter, getting strong lungs, and then dealing with the cold after having gotten wet. I used to catch colds that lasted for months. Since I’ve been swimming year round, a cold doesn’t have a chance. Killed by the chlorine. Score!

Of course, non of this is scientific. I found a study that says that while moderate exercise boosts immunity, extreme exercise is worse for the immune system than a sedentary lifestyle. If you couple that with the long held assumption that swimming is a very low-impact exercise, then you have your immune system building moderate workout.

Is my logic flawed? Does anyone have any proof of my claims? Any opinions?

As the year winds down, people take stock of the old year and resolve to do better in the New Year. Why not pick learning to swim as a New Year’s Resolution. Here are 10 reasons to learn to swim:

1. It could save your life. This is true in more than one way. Not only is swimming a life skill, but it is great for healthy lungs, heart, and body.

2. It is great exercise. See above

3. It builds your confidence. There is nothing like setting and achieving goals to boost your confidence!

4. It makes you smarter. I’m not sure why, but maybe it has something to do with confidence. Maybe it has something to do with order, pattern recognition, etc.

5. It is fun. Maybe addictive is a better word. Maybe intoxicating. . .

6. It will free you. Never again will you fear deep water.

7. It is low impact exercise. Blow out your knees playing basketball? Swim!

8. It is aerobic, anaerobic, therapeutic, and flexible all at the same time.

9. You might sweat, but you’re still clean when you’re finished!

10. It will give you a good night’s sleep!

Here’s the last in a series. How’s that for completion?

I should have known something was up when they hired a Diversity Specialist. The ning site might have tipped me off, too.

But, on the same day that I read of the 105th drowning death in Texas this year, I read something encouraging. The USA Swimming Foundation has funded 12 learn to swim programs, to the tune of $50,000. One of the programs is in my home town!

Again, I knew where our swim coach’s heart was by his actions. I’m glad he’s being reimbursed for his energy and time. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient.

Read this to find out how your club can become a Make a Splash Local partner.

I know. I left you hanging. I couldn’t even post last night because of a server issue. That wasn’t on purpose. But, then I wrote about a personal swimming incident rather than give you the latest installment of the black history swim meet. But anticipation is a good thing, right? Just not too much. I didn’t want you to forget about the series, right? So here it is, the third installment. Enjoy.

My younger son, 5, is taking swimming lessons for the first time. My oldest daughter, almost 18, is his teacher. She said that he just jumped in the pool with a cube and was struggling to keep his head above water during his last lesson.

She gave him some foam water wings to help him stay above water, and he proceeded to flail around getting nowhere fast.

I know about the 10,000 hour concept of mastery. My question is, when does it just click, and you’re swimming? Are you just practicing and practicing, not knowing what you’re doing, then one day you look up and can swim?

I remember watching my 7 year old take her first swim lessons. She was young at the time: 3 I think. The teacher just carried her around on his hip for most of the lesson. I thought it was a real waste of time. Then, at the end of the lesson, he threw her up in the air and she landed in the water. She loved it! Pretty soon, she was putting her head in the water, and by the time she was 4, she could doggy paddle a little bit. She can swim now without flotation devices, but needs to work on technique.

My 9 year old went through several sessions as a 3 year old before it clicked for her. She swims better than her little sister, but needs a lot of practice to get to the next level.

I wonder if I blink, will I miss that moment when swimming happens for my son?