I have a 12 year old son who has been swimming USA-s for 5 years.
He loves swimming.
He just came home from an intensive swim camp(overnite) that lasted 5 days.
He also attended this camp last year.
Last year when he returned from camp he was hesitant to return to his team. He loved the training at camp. I brushed it off.
This year he's upset about returning to his usa-s team again and quite disgusted. After 5 days of learn new drills and almost revamping mosts of his races he just regrets training with his team. He says he loves the people but hates the sets. He says they have been doing the same drills for the past 5 years.
Now as a parent I have observed the coach writing a workout on the white board and then just spacing off but since I'm a new swimmer..i figured..what did I know?
What do I do...change teams???? We are saturated here in western pa.
He's not a diva but a technically beautiful swimmer. And he loves his sport.
Would it hurt to drop a year around club and he would just swim middle school?? Or find him another USA-s team?
Thanks for reading and any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Parents
Former Member
An important question. I appreciate your candor in asking.
Would it hurt to drop a year at club? No. He's 12. He should be having fun and enjoying himself. If he's not doing both of these at the club, what's the point?
I quit competitive swimming from 13-15, 18-19, and 23-39 ... and I always came back more focused and happy to swim. Even now I don't swim with a team, but have attended a camp and loved it as your son did.
As long as he doesn't turn into a couch/internet potato during his break and stays active, what's the harm? Have him try another team or two, or even another sport if he wants ... he's only going to be 12 once.
My 2¢
An important question. I appreciate your candor in asking.
Would it hurt to drop a year at club? No. He's 12. He should be having fun and enjoying himself. If he's not doing both of these at the club, what's the point?
I quit competitive swimming from 13-15, 18-19, and 23-39 ... and I always came back more focused and happy to swim. Even now I don't swim with a team, but have attended a camp and loved it as your son did.
As long as he doesn't turn into a couch/internet potato during his break and stays active, what's the harm? Have him try another team or two, or even another sport if he wants ... he's only going to be 12 once.
My 2¢
