When I was in third grade, my dad took me to Bethel Park Senior High School for swimming lessons. I did okay while the lessons took place in the shallow end of the pool. However, after accidentally/on purpose missing several Saturdays I was chagrined to learn the class had moved to the deep end.
To say I was tense would be an understatement of the highest magnitude. Terrified was more like it. Into the water I plunged, clutching my Styrofoam paddle board in a veritable death grip. Feeling the water washing over me, I panicked. Thrashing about, I let go of the paddle board (never said I was smart).