Plebe summer swimming

THParent said:
I gleefully ran off the 10-meter platform in my 20's. Not afraid of heights at all. Those were the days when I was bulletproof and beer was a food group, however. I must admit that it may give me a bit of pause now, though. :)
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Funny, I was invincible at that age, too. I misplaced the superpower somewhere along the way.
 
I used to love roller coasters. The more Gs, twists, turns, upside downs, the better. I was
on one a few years ago after several years off. It didn’t feel as good to have a full-body knuckle-crack.

To get back on track, lots of good advice here on swimming. Anything that can save time and stress during PS and ac year is worth putting a few hours into in advance to build confidence and a layer of skill.

I watched OCS classmates have to go to “stupid swim” (the terminology was less kind then, there was also “stupid run,” “stupid Nav,” etc.) ) at oh-dark-thirty, and I was eternally grateful I didn’t have to put time into that.
 
During CVW on the tour, the guide brought us to see the diving board.

I said no way I would not do it. She laughed and said you would if you were offered 1 million. No, I wouldn’t.

DS not as afraid as me. He did it.
 
I never minded the 10 m jump as long as I was one of the first few in line. Just walk up to the end and go. You have to blank your survival brain’s frantic signals. And not look down.
There were people stuck up there for an hour or more.
 
Well, being from AZ, our plebe 2 be has had limited access to swimming. Despite what George Strait says, we don't have ocean front property.
We don't own a pool or have any friends with one. He did spend 1 week each summer in San Diego body surfing, surfing etc, but we haven't been out since he was 12. He used to love to swim in hotel pools, and is comfortable in the water (you get really comfortable the first time you survive a solid wave thrashing in the ocean). That being said, he may still fit in the remedial category as mulitple strokes are not his forte. Prior to covid we had planned on swimming at the local indoor pool. But that can't happen. Guess it's sink or swim for him!
 
Heatherg21 said:
Prior to covid we had planned on swimming at the local indoor pool. But that can't happen. Guess it's sink or swim for him!
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There are plenty of things to be worried about as you head into Plebe Summer..but swimming isn't one of them. Think about it , Plebes get to go swimming, sailing, rifle/pistol range, etc --sounds like summer camp, how bad can it be ? :):):)

Seriously, any time out of the clutches of the Detailers is not a bad thing !
 
Don't sweat it. Plebe summer swimming is pretty easy, and those who can't swim will (or should...) be separated out and taught to swim.
 
Skipper07 said:
Don't sweat it. Plebe summer swimming is pretty easy, and those who can't swim will (or should...) be separated out and taught to swim.
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Some part of me is grinning on the inside picturing the drown proofing @THParent mentioned. Does that make me a bad mom? :oops2:
I know they will all be just fine. And in MD humidity, a pool would be welcome relief.
 
Heatherg21 said:
Some part of me is grinning on the inside picturing the drown proofing @THParent mentioned. Does that make me a bad mom? :oops2:
I know they will all be just fine. And in MD humidity, a pool would be welcome relief.
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A couple of my classmates experienced some involuntary drown proofing and some of us who were lifeguards in high school dragged them to the wall. Now we get to laugh about it.
 
One of my roommates was the proverbial "AquaRock"and he proved time and time again that his body just does not float, he just sinks to the bottom. Swimming class and then remedials were his cross to bear during our time at USNA and since he went air (after 2 yrs as a SWO), he got to do it all over again at Pensacola. To this day, he maintains that he did many of the swimming tests by running on the bottom and I will not comment on that assertion.
 
During our plebe summer, Lejeune Hall was still under construction, so we had to do the jump at McDonough Hall. The last ten feet up were on an aluminum painter's ladder and you had to stand on a platform the size of a cafeteria tray before you stepped off. You could practically touch the roof of the building. If you had issues, that experience was sure going to bring them out.
 
DH recalls doing the jump at McDonough. The ladder access got taken away. There was only one way off the platform.
 
8th Wing Refugee said:
During our plebe summer, Lejeune Hall was still under construction, so we had to do the jump at McDonough Hall. The last ten feet up were on an aluminum painter's ladder and you had to stand on a platform the size of a cafeteria tray before you stepped off.
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The climb up to the platform was the roughest part. A very long and very flexible ladder that would have guys hanging on it to hold it down while a few climbed up to the tiny platform that was WAYYYYYYYYY up there. Then jump off in accordance with the proper procedure. First Class year, one of my roommates had to do it 4 times before the prof said "Pass".
 
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