My son is a 10th grader. He is the best swimmer on his team, he is struggling with continuing on. At times he likes it, other times he really dislikes it. Small school Div 3 in Michigan. He is not a phenom swimmer, could maybe swim in college which he does not want to do (which I understand, especially for a walkon or a partial scholarship, you need to really love the sport). Not likely he will be involved in any other sport in HS. He likes weight lifting so he will stay in shape via personal work outs lifting and some running. He has a life guard job (very part time) but will be around the water.
He swam club from 3rd to 7th grade taking springs off. Took 8th grade off and then swam HS for 9th. He is a big kid. 6' 3" 215 pounds with size 16 flippers. Mostly a sprinter but can swim all strokes any distance. 23.39 50 SCY is his best time. No prep for this season, just weight lifiting and some running this past summer. No club swimming.
Team and Coaches would miss him. Coaches are very understanding and are very flexible in dealing with swimmers as individuals. They really look at swimmers as individuals and customize their program to the type of team and swimmers they have.
I am thinking he will not be back next year. I think he will regret it later. But in the end he must want to do it.
Any thoughts on how you felt about HS swimming? any motivating tips?
Swimming for me in HS was a way to continue to build self-confidence and to learn teamwork and leadership skills in the planning for meets and in encouraging my team mates at practice and meets. It was an experience I would greatly miss including the fun, socialization and comradeship.
All three of my kids swam in HS, so I understand your dilemma about pushing too hard. Believe it or not, they do listen to their parents and you possibly have more influence than you think. Encouraging him to do something he clearly doesn't want to do makes no sense, but helping him see the long picture does. Not many, if any, HS kids have that kind of wisdom.
After about 10+ years of AG/HS and college swimming, I did stop half way through college and regret it.
Swimming for me in HS was a way to continue to build self-confidence and to learn teamwork and leadership skills in the planning for meets and in encouraging my team mates at practice and meets. It was an experience I would greatly miss including the fun, socialization and comradeship.
All three of my kids swam in HS, so I understand your dilemma about pushing too hard. Believe it or not, they do listen to their parents and you possibly have more influence than you think. Encouraging him to do something he clearly doesn't want to do makes no sense, but helping him see the long picture does. Not many, if any, HS kids have that kind of wisdom.
After about 10+ years of AG/HS and college swimming, I did stop half way through college and regret it.
