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The Giant Leap for Four Year Old Me
by Chris Schmidt, 2011
Ever since I was a baby, I’ve been in the water. Pool, bathtub, ocean. If it had water in it, I’d be swimming in it.
When I lived in Denver, Colorado, my parents and I would go to Glenwood Springs some weekends. In Glenwood is one of the world’s biggest hot spring pools. The water was always 92 degrees and the pool is as big as two football fields. At the deep end of the pool are three diving boards. The tallest one is 16 feet high. The rule is – you must be able to swim to the edge of the pool by yourself in order to use the diving boards. I was sure I could do it, so when I saw people jumping off the high dive, my mind was set.
I told my parents that I wanted to get in the line that had formed at the steps of the high dive. Everyone in the line except for me was at least 5’ 10” or taller… and there I was. 4 years old and barely 3’ tall.
When my turn came, I climbed the ladder to the top and walked out to the end of the board. From up there it felt like 100 feet! I thought, what have I gotten myself into?!? I took a deep breath with heart pounding and fainted right there on the high dive! Only kidding. I somehow got over the fear and took the giant leap for 4 year old me! I never looked back… been jumping off diving boards, swimming, surfing, and boogie boarding since then!
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A great story………it took some courage as a 4 year old to jump….. I think when I was 4 I might have climbed back down the stairs…..EGADS…….keep writing I look forward to your next story……..Love PAPA
Such a brave boy! Maybe you could teach me to swim one day. Love Aura
Wow…I didn’t even go on a normal diving board until I was about 8 years old, and then I went on a high dive when I was around 10 years old. But I’m sure it wasn’t as high as 16 feet! and I’d like to visit that pool it sounds cool (I mean hot haha).