Swimming in the Netherlands

As you know, I have seen and experienced many unusual things while living here in the Netherlands. Seeing a load of children swimming, fully clothed, might be another of those things!

Here you see Robyn in the midst of ploughing her way up and down the local swimming pool. In reality, she is taking her C Diploma swimming test and part of it is to swim wearing trousers, top, shoes and coat.

The swimming diplomas, A, B, and C are a big deal over here - officially, until a child has gained their A Diploma, they are not allowed to swim without armbands in a public pool. Seriously. The expat kids stand out a mile in the swimming classes - they're about twice the height of the Dutch kids, who are a good few years younger in taking the A Diploma test! (Thankfully, Amber takes her A Diploma next week).

The interesting thing about this whole system (or at least, how it seems to me) is that the Dutch system is about teaching lifesaving skills, whereas the girls' swimming lessons in the UK were very much taken up with teaching them how to get the strokes right. The emphasis is totally different. Both are great, but in a country where a good deal of the land is below sea level and canals are everywhere, the thought that my children are being taught how to save themselves is a comforting one.

(You will be glad to know that Robyn passed her test! Fingers crossed for Amber next week - I'm sure it will all go well).