I learned to swim when I was five, but wasn’t taught any of the finer points of swimming technique. As an undergraduate it was a required that I take a course in swimming. I never considered myself an athlete and the class was difficult for me. Diving off the high board seemed impossible. Whenever we practiced I started at the back of the line and as soon as I neared the rungs of the diving board ladder I’d slip to the back. I never practiced a high dive. Not once.

On the day of the final exa...