As a 4-year-old, David Gillette took swimming lessons in Kirkland. To entice kids into feeling more comfortable in the water, his swimming instructor tossed pennies to the shallow-end pool bottom.

Asking someone if they can swim is a lot like asking me if I can golf. Sure, I can do it, but it's not a pretty sight. Most adults can swim, but they resemble someone in a state of controlled drowning ...