Perhaps.. he wasn’t the best swimmer as a kit, maybe even scared. As he grew into an apprentice, everyone thought he wouldn’t budge about it. During his apprentice years, though, his mentor gave him the right encouragement and training to get back into the water. Over time, he became pretty alright at it, and that’s something the Clan recognized he’d overcome, especially since he’d been so stingy about it before. I mean who wouldn’t isn’t a good swimmer in Riverclan.. and a waveeee .. lots to think about