Katja, we don’t swim because some coach thinks we have skill, or because some race will be easily won, or because we like some teammate. We swim because the water needs a swimmer like us and deserves the fastest we can give it.

Sometimes as a parent one has to encourage their child to do something their child doesn't want to do. That time can today. I had to pull teeth to get Katja to come to the pool with me today. I told her she only needed to swim 3 laps. After much cajoling we got to the car. By the time she got to the pool, she had a kick board and was off. I got a few laps in and she met me at the far wall of the 25 yard lane. She says to me: " I want to swim 12 laps". And so she did. So.. from poolside observer 4 years ago so swim partner today.

Katja went on this water feature. they wouldn’t let her go with a life jacket. So we took it off. She could swim the whole length with it on. But sinks with it off. She made it as far as the arrow before I dove in to get her.