It's impossible to swim while clinging to the ledge.
When teaching my children to swim, I had all three line up along the ledge.
Holding on to it, they were safe from going under.
They could kick and splash and have fun, but they couldn't go anywhere.
Then, one by one, I had them let go of the ledge shelter
And venture into the open water with me.
There we could explore how to move in this new environment.
I could show them how to move their arms and legs to stay afloat,
Or even better, to propel themselves forward.
Eventually it became our favorite summer evening activity.
Doing cannonballs, splashing water so high.
Summersaults in the water, forward and backward.
A new joy in their lives because they trusted enough to let go of the ledge.
You can either cling to the ledge or swim. Which is it?