Parker's First Swim Meet

Parker had his first swim meet today.  It was a relay meet and he did four races.  100 M Butterfly, 200 Breast/Back, 100 Dolphin Kick (Butterfly without the arms), and an age progressive freestyle race with 4 older boys.  He had to do one quarter of each except the last one where he did 25 m the next one did 50, then 75, then 100, and 200.  

We arrived just after 8 and were there until 1pm.  It was a lot of sitting around and waiting but Parker did great. He played with his teammates, watched the races, and had snacks.  His teams didn't do very well, but he didn't care.  At one point he said, "We didn't come in last place that time!"  The other temas were from Oakland, Alameda, and surrounding cities.

I was very nervous and worried for him at first, but it was pretty informal for the little kids so I calmed down.  Most were spazzes like Parker, who forgot to put his goggles on twice and we all had to yell at him to do it.  He had a good time and said he wanted to do it again.  I most enjoyed watching him play with his 8 year old swim team friends.  I wish he had gotten more swim team prep from his coaches, but it all worked out.

Playing Uno with his friends.

Team meeting before the meet.

 More Uno.

 The meet was at UC Berkeley.  It was a big pool.

 Before the first heat.

Diving off the block. 

 Having a snack.

 Hanging with mom.

Arm wrestling his pals. 

Playing footsie. 

There were different whistles that meant different things.  A long whistle meant get up on the block. Several short ones meant climb in the water. Took me a while to figure it out.

On your mark... 

After the last race.  Cheering on the big boys. 

 His coaches.

Ice Cream afterwards.