To pass the test, she had to swim 200 meters in under 15 minutes, she had to retrieve a ring from the bottom of the pool (about 2 meters deep) without wearing goggles, she had to dive in from a starting block head first, and she had to be able to tell the lifeguard at least 5 rules for safe swimming (e.g. never dive into unknown waters).
A few weeks ago, Clara practiced retrieving the ring from the bottom of the same pool, and it went really badly. But Clara was really determined to pass the test, so when we were at the Hansedom in Stralsund over Easter, she used the gently sloping pool to practice diving down at deeper and deeper levels. By the end of two days, she had really developed great technique, and was able to get the ring at the deepest part of the pool (about 180 cm). We were pretty sure that the 200 meter swim wouldn't be an issue, but just to make sure Tanja and Clara went into the "Sporthalle" part of the Hansedom and she did it there. While they were there, they also practiced diving in headfirst from the edge of the pool.
There were two things we hadn't realised, however. First was that the diving to the bottom of the pool had to be done without goggles, and second that she had to dive headfirst from the starting block, and not just from the edge of the pool.
During the test, Clara did the 200 meters in under 10 minutes. She needed several tries to get the ring from the bottom, because she doesn't like to open her eyes underwater, but she kept trying until she got it. She was a bit nervous diving in from the starting block, but overcame her nerves and leaped. It wasn't entirely head first, but the lifeguard was satisfied.
We're very proud!
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