I think one way to get more boys or teenage boys involved with swimming is by getting states to expect the sport of water polo. My state doesn't do it and a lot of other states don't do polo. But if more states adoptive the sport more young men would be involved with swimming at least in the high school level. Most guys at my high school in California during the 1970's played Water Polo in the summer and fall and swam in the spring. They were in better shape in swimming and could work more yardage than if they swam for only 3 months which is common for states without water polo. Water polo is so popular with teenagers in California that they introduce even girls teams in the 1990's. Most boys like a sport which is similar to hockey except that its in a pool instead of an ice rink. Also, US water polo would gain by having a bigger pool to draw from on their national team instead of 80 percent or more just coming from California.
Parents
Former Member
It seems to me that the best way to interest kids in swimming is, if you're a parent, swim yourself. I know that my 4 year old did much better in lessons, and gained a lot more interest in swimming and surfing when I started swimming masters and started surfing again.
But the best way is to make sure that you have a quality age group program in your community . . . so volunteer, give money, join or start the boosters club and help spread the word. If no age group program exists, see if there is a facility that could serve as a home and get some like minded parents to organize a program.
I'm curious, why did this thread start as one trying to interest boys rather than kids generally? And as for the title IX bashing, civil rights laws to provide equal opportunities for girls and women are not the cause of any declination in men's minor sports . . . it's the misplaced priorities of monied interests who take the easy way out in decision making by making the easy cuts rather than providing the necessary resources, or appropriately shifting priorities within the institutions.
My two cents.
carl botterud
It seems to me that the best way to interest kids in swimming is, if you're a parent, swim yourself. I know that my 4 year old did much better in lessons, and gained a lot more interest in swimming and surfing when I started swimming masters and started surfing again.
But the best way is to make sure that you have a quality age group program in your community . . . so volunteer, give money, join or start the boosters club and help spread the word. If no age group program exists, see if there is a facility that could serve as a home and get some like minded parents to organize a program.
I'm curious, why did this thread start as one trying to interest boys rather than kids generally? And as for the title IX bashing, civil rights laws to provide equal opportunities for girls and women are not the cause of any declination in men's minor sports . . . it's the misplaced priorities of monied interests who take the easy way out in decision making by making the easy cuts rather than providing the necessary resources, or appropriately shifting priorities within the institutions.
My two cents.
carl botterud
