Swimming lessons at Weyrs?

Francesca · December 11, 2008, 11:47:52 AM

I've been coposting with someone and this came up. If a candidate arrives at a Weyr, are they required to take swimming lessons? It would seem to me that any dragonrider should have at least basic swimming skills, so they don't drown when washing their dragon, but I want to make sure. And, if there are required lessons, who teaches them? Maybe because DCW is so close to the Dolphin Hall, a journeyman (or even apprentice) dolphineer could give lessons. Or, maybe that would be considered below a crafter?

Any thoughts?

Cali · December 11, 2008, 04:12:35 PM

As long as a rider stayed where he/she could touch, I don't know what problem there would be. If they ever wanted to go deeper they could just hang on to their dragon's tail or something :santa: I bet alot of people do get a few lessons from dolphineers or just other dragonriders who know how to swim. At DCW the Harbormaster is a dolphineer and he has either a very sr. apprentice or a jr. journeyman assigned to him who might be willing to give lessons if you don't want to go down to the Hall.

Eimi · December 12, 2008, 01:22:22 AM

The council hasn't discussed it or anything, but I would assume that all dragonriders would be required to at least be able to swim reasonably well. They would not want anything to endanger the life of a rider, and therefore a dragon. It would make sense to me that they would all be required to pass some basic swim test, and would probably have instructors who would be willing to help out. Also, since waterball is such a bit sport in Triad, I'm sure there'd be plenty of players available to give lessons. So I think it would depend on the Weyr who would give the instruction, so I would contact your local Weyrlingmaster or L1 to ask their opinion on who exactly would teach their candidates.

Amanda N · December 12, 2008, 06:56:47 AM

I'm just curious as to the reasoning behind the requirement for swimming lessons. I mean, if someone doesn't know how to swim, I doubt they'll be making excursions into the sea. :} Also, bathing a dragon doesn't require someone to go into deep water. :}

Avery · December 12, 2008, 07:31:12 AM

Under normal circumstances, you're right, Amanda. No one would have to swim. But I (personally) think it would be a requirement in case anything unexpected came up. For example, a rider is flying a sweep over the sea and sees someone drowning- if they could swim they could help out, if not they'd have to wait and call someone else and that person could be hurt during that time. (Or trying to manuver to resuce the person without the rider going in, but that, again, takes extra time.) Or straps could snap over a water Fall and you fall in the water; or a crashlanding in the weyrlake... Not that any of these are LIKELY, but I think riders would have to have lessons into basic swimming competency just in case something came up where they'd need it.

Amanda N · December 12, 2008, 07:37:32 AM

Gotcha. I was just curious cause I couldn't think of anything! But that does make sense. :}

Cali · December 12, 2008, 07:44:55 AM

Where abouts would this fall in the Weyrling Training schedule? Would this be a daily, weekly, one time into sort of thing?

Eimi · December 12, 2008, 01:35:27 PM

Amanda, also they wouldn't want to take the chance. Unexpected things happen. If someone's washing their dragon in what they think is shallow water and they step off an underwater ledge (like you think it's a gradual slope but it suddenly drops off) or if they lose their footing, they don't want the rider to panic. Plenty of people drown just a few feet from shore because they just panic. The likelihood is small, but a rider is just too precious to risk, especially in a Pass.

Cali, I think it would still be up to the Weyrlingmaster. Probably each Weyr is different. They might incorporate it into stamina building, or they might pull those kids out of chores for a lesson, or make them do it on their rest day...

kurt · December 12, 2008, 02:10:56 PM

Quote from: "Eimi"Unexpected things happen. If someone's washing their dragon in what they think is shallow water and they step off an underwater ledge (like you think it's a gradual slope but it suddenly drops off) or if they lose their footing, they don't want the rider to panic. Plenty of people drown just a few feet from shore because they just panic. The likelihood is small, but a rider is just too precious to risk, especially in a Pass.

"Furthermore, I'd like to conclude this all-Weyr address by saying that after the incident that cost us a queen and a bronze last month, the water polo tournament will be cancelled..." :geek:

Jane · December 12, 2008, 02:28:25 PM

:laughing5:

Eimi · December 12, 2008, 04:08:52 PM

"Yes, and we should add that riders are now required to crawl up and down stairs rather than walk them and risk breaking their necks, all food will be served pre-mashed so you will not choke on it, and please be patient while we install guard rails on all your ledges."

Francesca · January 05, 2009, 10:09:16 AM

Thanks for all of the responses! For the purposes of the copost I'm doing, I'll just assume that candidates are encouraged to learn how to swim and that there are a number of ways for them to do so. If I need any more detailed information, I'll be sure to ask the L1 or Weyrlingmaster.