I have three kids swimming.
Two girls (8 & 10) and a son 12.
All the kids started together (private lessons) about three years ago. Today they are involved in age-group swimming. The girls are seeing great results (best/fourth in our country), ds is still busy "catching-up". He is incredibly dedicated and ambitious, his dream being to come home with medals...
He does enjoy swimming...but, we can turn it any way we want, he is after measurable performance! Ds is good, and has come a long way. Still, I am wondering whether he will ever excel...
He is athletically built and will likely be tall. These past months he has trained five times per week (2h), and will step it up to 6/7 times per week in the fall. I am wondering whether this "will do", or whether we should gently steer ds towards a sport where he can truly succeed (by his standards!!).
I don't know a thing about swimming, so am in no position to judge this situation. Most of all, I am not a "pool-mom", and my only concern is, that my sun might be chasing a shadow....
Thank you for any insights!
I am just wondering how far that is going to get him?What do his coaches say about this? They are a far better judge of his talent, ability and commitment then we are.
I am seriously worried, that he missed that train in swimming, due to having started late (he started swimming about three years ago, started to become serious about one year ago)My son started swimming competitively at 13. By the time he graduated high school he earned high school All-American honors. Then in college he twice swam at NCAA Division 1 nationals. And was a 3 event swimmer at the 2008 US Olympic Trials. He now is a USMS national record holder. I know I’m bragging, but my point is that starting serious swimming at age 11 is not too late, if you and your son take the long term view of this.
Your statement “I am seriously worried” is somewhat, well, worrying. If your son is swimming because he enjoys it, then don’t pressure him by being worried about podium finishes. If they come they come and if they don’t it is still okay to be proud of him
I am just wondering how far that is going to get him?What do his coaches say about this? They are a far better judge of his talent, ability and commitment then we are.
I am seriously worried, that he missed that train in swimming, due to having started late (he started swimming about three years ago, started to become serious about one year ago)My son started swimming competitively at 13. By the time he graduated high school he earned high school All-American honors. Then in college he twice swam at NCAA Division 1 nationals. And was a 3 event swimmer at the 2008 US Olympic Trials. He now is a USMS national record holder. I know I’m bragging, but my point is that starting serious swimming at age 11 is not too late, if you and your son take the long term view of this.
Your statement “I am seriously worried” is somewhat, well, worrying. If your son is swimming because he enjoys it, then don’t pressure him by being worried about podium finishes. If they come they come and if they don’t it is still okay to be proud of him
