Bali kids swam their hearts out at annual competition

Yesterday our whole family rose at 4 AM in order to have breakfast and then drive down to the brand-new Australian Independent School on Imam Bonjol Street in Kuta.

The school was recently built and has about 170 students.

I was very impressed with the security at the front gate. I assume the Australian government  Security specialists had something to do with the planning. 

It's obvious that The Australian school is serious about swimming with a massive 25 m swimming pool designed for racing.

Olympic size swimming pool designed for racing

Our 13-year-old, Xander and 10-year-old, Darius was signed up for this event at the very last moment, just a couple weeks ago along with several other students from their school, The Gandhi Memorial International School in Renon.

All the students from the Gandhi Memorial International school who competed.
Darius our 10-year-old second from the left in the back and Xander First on the right as well as their Instructor Nora.

Over the past couple weeks, we have been completing the same course they had to swim several times every day after school along with some instructions from their teacher Nora at the school.

Our boys and I  were not prepared for the large swimming pool, its angled starting platforms,  and multitude of students.

It was kind of overwhelming at first and the boys obviously became very reluctant to swim.

Some last-minute adjustments for the hats, that they had never worn before by their teacher Nora and an explanation of how the race would take place was provided.

 I must say they both looked quite handsome in their swimming attire.

 Then at 6:30 in the morning it was time to do some warm-up laps for everyone who is racing. 

As you can see there were several hundred students involved.

 Darius is obviously focusing on what I told him. the end of the pool which is 25 m.

 A quick smile before he did his lap.

 Then it was Xander's turn's I must say he looked quite impressive, but of course, I'm biased, being his father.

 We have worked very hard the last couple weeks shaving seconds off the 50 m distance that they had to complete for this competition

 One of the girls from the Gandhi school looking on with either concern or amazement.

 Parents anxiously wait while their children to take their turn at the starting platform.

 Xander talking to his school friends.

 Mom watching all the action.

 Dad joining in as well in between shooting photos

 Then it was finally turn for the 9 and 10-year-old 25 m event.

 Xander obviously joking with his brother and friend.

 Young girls enjoying the comradeship of their fellow classmates.

 Dad and mom waiting in anticipation.

 Finally, after weeks of preparation, it was time to do the deed.

 On your mark get set

 Go. 

Darius had a good take off , better than his competition.

 In the end, he came in second of this group but overall in the middle beating over half of the other contestants and only being three seconds short of the number one slot. We are very proud of him.

Then it was time for Xander to compete in the 13 to 14-year-old 50 m.

Obviously very tense.

 Especially when this local giant approached the podium to race against him.

 Swimmers took their positions.

 On your mark.

 Get set.

 Go.

 Xanders swam his heart out and in the end, ended up being second of the other three participants and as well and similar to Darius in the middle of the overall competition beating almost half of his competition.

Overall for their individual events, we were very proud knowing that they only had a few weeks to learn how to compete having never raced before again in a foreign swimming pool.

The other kids from other schools and swimming clubs have a lot of more experience and training so I was very happy that they were able to beat almost half of the children in their event.

 They ended up within three to four seconds of the leader.

Next year with experience behind them and months to prepare I believe they will probably end up in a medal-winning position.

 Later in the day, Xander swam in a last-minute event that they entered into by their coach. It was a relay event. 

Xanders team won third place which may be one of the few medals awarded to their school which prides themselves on education with not so much emphasis on sports.

Congratulations to the Australian Independent School, Especially John Anthony Milliss lists for running a first-class swimming competition.Good on you Mate.