Junior Masters and Bronze Medallion

Austin is registered in three swim classes every week. On Mondays, he is in Junior Masters 2, which is a fast lane-swimming course in which swimmers try to keep beating their personal best times and improve their strokes.

Last week, Austin described the class as "humiliating," because he was constantly being passed by other swimmers and getting in their way. I think this was frustrating and a bit upsetting for him. He's worried about this class - he feels pressured and knows he's the slowest swimmer. He far prefers competing only against himself, but we can't create that without private lessons.

I suggested that he ask his teacher to let him know if he is getting faster with his personal times, instead of worrying about what the other swimmers are doing. I also told him that it's the passing swimmer's responsibility to get out of his way, not his responsibility to avoid kicking swimmers who are coming up behind him.

He's also registered in Bronze Medallion, which is the course that follows Bronze Star. He likes the other students in the class, and has been partnered with a boy named Charlie. Austin thinks Charlie is in grade 8.