What's Up Dock? cont'd

Many thanks to photographer Lisa DeGennaro

for these cool shots from Canal Days in Port Colborne
August 2-3

What's Up Dock?

A few weeks ago, I was introduced to the excitement that is Dock Diving!
Here are a few clips from my first lesson.

Learning to launch upward to grab the bumper which is suspended 4' above the water. In the "Fetch It" competition, the bumper starts out 10 feet from the dock and moves away from the dock in one foot increments.

Participated in my first Dock Diving weekend.  My best jump was 9'8".  Aside from having a great time, I went home with a ton of goodies, 2 lovely rosettes and my first Dock Diving Title: UKC UNJ (Novice Division).

The first rosette is for having the highest cumulative score (Novice).
The second rosette is for my second place finish (Novice) in the finals.

Wednesday's Waterworks

London, here I come!

Watch out, Michael Phelps!  I'm Going for Gold!

Swimmer's Nose

Shall use paws for future swimmer's turns!

Dogpaddling 4

On Friday, I hopped into the pool all on my own for the very first time! However, when I realized Trudy wasn't in the pool with me, I immediately swam back to the steps.

As you can see, I've become quite proficient at swimming the perimeter of the pool counter-clockwise so next time I'll be working on swimming clockwise.  Notice how I've taught myself the beginnings of a swimmer's turn (when I reach the end of the pool, I push off of the bump-out).

Swimming is hard work!

Dogpaddling 3

I have to admit that during my first few swims I was kinda fixated on getting to the stairs so I could hop out and stand on solid ground.  Yesterday, I found the "joy" in swimming.  After learning how to make turns, I was swimming around the perimeter of the pool all on my own! 

Dogpaddling 2

My Valentine's prezzie (along with the pyramid of yogurt) was a good long swim.  Apparently, 1 minute of swimming is equivalent to 1 mile of running (with much less stress on the joints).  So my Tuesday swim was akin to a 15 mile run!!!

making goofy faces for the camera

whenever the camera comes in for a close-up
I like to kick up a storm

I guess this is why they call it the "dogpaddle"
look at the shape of my paw underwater

working hard

playing to the camera

"Are we there, yet?"

dried off, bundled up & ready for some zzz's

Dogpaddling

I had my first indoor swim session on Friday at LuvMyK9s in Georgetown, ON.  I started out splashing up a storm then I quickly settled into a nice rhythm and even made my first ever water retrieve.

checking out the other swimsuits

That tickles!

Thanks, Trudy!

All dried off and ready for a long nap