Last year the pool was closed and summer swim team canceled. Which meant Eric’s annual birthday belly flop was canceled.
It all started five years ago during summer swim team. The original coach, Coach Kev, learned it was Eric’s birthday and told him to do a birthday belly flop.
Eric was nervous about doing a belly flop in front of the entire team so Coach Kev did one with him. Eric hit the water flat as a pancake with a loud slap and everyone cheered. Nerves were gone, stomach was bright red and an annual tradition was born.
Every year on his birthday Eric would let everyone know he was doing a belly flop. His team mates gathered round as he launched into the water trying for the best belly flop. And everyone would cheer…or cringe.
Then 2020 happened. Pools remained closed and the summer swim league was canceled. No swimming and no belly flop.
Thankfully the pools opened this year and the swim team is back in the pool. Eric was determined to return to his annual belly flop tradition.
This year he went bigger than usual. Instead of jumping from the side of he pool he climbed on the diving blocks to get more height. He launched into the pool and land with a loud slap! One of the best belly flips yet.
Enjoy the video of Eric’s birthday belly flop.