Student Spotlight: Violet Chazkell

Over the past three years, 10 year old Violet Chazkell has taken approximately 100 TI swim lessons. She is one of the most seasoned TI youth swimmers anywhere, and currently takes lessons twice a week with Coach Cari Laughlin at the New Paltz Swim Studio.

Miss. Chazkell tells us that she learned to swim when she was five years old and that she started taking lessons because she loved swimming so much. Her mother, Michelle Chazkell, explained that when Violet was about 6 months old she brought her to the beach for the first time. Michelle was holding Violet and when the Ocean came into view Violet had an outburst of happiness; she started laughing and bouncing and swinging her arms and legs. Michelle had never seen Violet react this way to anything before, and sensed that Violet had a very deep connection to the water.

Violet was kind enough to write a bit about her experiences with Total Immersion over the years:

My first lesson at Total Immersion was so fun! I learned so much new stuff. I’ve learned about all four strokes as well as other things like how to do flip-turns and body dolphin, which is part of butterfly.

The most fun part about taking swimming lessons is learning new stuff and different ways of doing things. I think one of the things I’d like to do with what I’ve learned is maybe become a swim teacher or be in races.

I definitely want to keep on swimming at Total Immersion. I’ve had a great time doing it and I think anyone else would, too!

Violet predicts that she will continue swimming throughout her life, especially because of her fondness for open water.  “I like swimming in the ocean with my dad,” she says “because if there is a big wave he can help me get over it.” In the pool, Violet enjoys swimming with her friends and racing her brothers. “It’s fun to race because I always beat them,” she says.  Congratulations to Violet Chazkell; we wish her a lifetime of happy laps!

 

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