Getting back to fun...

RE: Getting back to fun...

Former Member — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 08:22:45 GMT

Anyway, our team does two things that would potentially be a good fit for your daughter. We have a 2-day option for swimmers who are in various positions, either other activities, or just want to keep conditioned for the year, or even just seeing how much they like it on a year round basis. The other thing we do is have a spring conditioning clinic to help get them ready for Summer league. In our case, I think it is 8 weeks long. You may think about looking into some local USA teams by you and seeing if any of them offer either type of option, and see if it would work for her. If the 2 day thing is one, look NOW, as many teams are starting back, and most will give a 2 week trial, so she can see how it fits culturally. That culture is the most important thing, I cannot emphasize that enough. This is kind of what I'm hoping for my daughter. Well, actually first, I think taking a break this fall would be good for her. I also think listening to how she feels about swimming is important. Then maybe around Thanksgiving, go swim some laps and get some Ice Cream after. In Jan, a well-known Swim Club holds some clinics and I know that some friends will be there . So I think that would be good. And then either do the DII University program (every other Sunday) or the 1x a week program with known Swim Club, in the Spring. That said, she might not care about it. And yes, it's time to accept that. She's doing a lot of Ballet and Dancing this fall and taking a Conditioning class - she'll get her exercise! I do want her to be in Summer League next year. The reality is that not all kids make relays and get ribbons. That part I want to leave to her.

RE: Getting back to fun...

Former Member — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 08:15:57 GMT

RE: Getting back to fun...

67King — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 04:06:31 GMT

Sounds like a good season, congrats! A couple of thoughts. The all-star thing. The coach does have a roster to fill out, and he needs to take into consideration total point opportunity. So if a kid can be #2 in three events, they'll get the nod over a kid who can be #1 in one event, but 4th-5th in the other two. Anyway, our team does two things that would potentially be a good fit for your daughter. We have a 2-day option for swimmers who are in various positions, either other activities, or just want to keep conditioned for the year, or even just seeing how much they like it on a year round basis. The other thing we do is have a spring conditioning clinic to help get them ready for Summer league. In our case, I think it is 8 weeks long. You may think about looking into some local USA teams by you and seeing if any of them offer either type of option, and see if it would work for her. If the 2 day thing is one, look NOW, as many teams are starting back, and most will give a 2 week trial, so she can see how it fits culturally. That culture is the most important thing, I cannot emphasize that enough.

RE: Getting back to fun...

FindingMyInnerFish — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 09:46:48 GMT

Though I am now in the 55-59 age group, I was once younger and a pretty good swimmer. My mom would take me to any practice I wanted, including mornings, as long as it was my idea and I was ready to go on time. I also played virtually every other sport up until high school. I don’t think you can “make” anything fun for your child. All you can do is expose her and let her decide. Good luck. My two cents Sums it up well! Maybe ask her what she wants to do--what if she doesn't want to swim for a bit? Maybe something else catches her interest. But wise at this point to let her have a hand in what she does for the summer. If you're enrolling her in this and that, she may feel she's doing it for you--and she needs to feel she's choosing it, whatever she chooses. Maybe go over with her some of the possibilities, so neither of you gets overwhelmed, but she might need a break from competing, and then come back ready to enjoy it and learn. Maybe she needs to talk about the feelings related to competing, but the good and the not so good. Listening goes a long way.

RE: Getting back to fun...

RonCummins — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 07:08:10 GMT