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
Styles were different in the 70's. Everything was tight for both boys and girls. Remember the little basketball shorts. Now look at the basketball players. It the shorts don't fall below the knee and are not 3 sizes to big, they won't wear them.
I speak from experience trying to buy clothes for a teenage boy. He is 5-9 and 130, wearing large and x-large basketball shorts. Boys even wear boxers now because they are lose and comfortable.
With girls everything still is about tight and showing skin. In marching band the kids have t-shirts and shorts to wear for 4th of July parading. The boys hate the shorts because they are not long enough or baggy enough and they all sag them on their hips and would prefer to wear the shirt out, but are made to tuck it in.
The girls are rolling the waist down, the legs up and complaining how big they are!!
It is not the total reason for the lack of boys, but it is one of them.
I do think boys and girls do not go into a sport thinking about how much money they will make with it, they do it because they enjoy it. But glory can have a lot to do with that enjoyment. The "money" sports get a whole lot more attention from their peers and the media. The media around here always acts surprised when a kid who has been swimming club all their life suddenly shines for their HS at sectionals. Anyone in the club scene and USA scene knows about the kids, but media only covers HS. Anytime one of our club kids makes it big at Nationals, trials, whatever, the media always associates them with their HS, even though it is the club team that gave them the quality training.
Cinc310, my son's marching band is coming to Arizona in December for the Fiesta Bowl parade. They have been selected to compete in the competition. I cannot go, too much money. Would love to though.
Styles were different in the 70's. Everything was tight for both boys and girls. Remember the little basketball shorts. Now look at the basketball players. It the shorts don't fall below the knee and are not 3 sizes to big, they won't wear them.
I speak from experience trying to buy clothes for a teenage boy. He is 5-9 and 130, wearing large and x-large basketball shorts. Boys even wear boxers now because they are lose and comfortable.
With girls everything still is about tight and showing skin. In marching band the kids have t-shirts and shorts to wear for 4th of July parading. The boys hate the shorts because they are not long enough or baggy enough and they all sag them on their hips and would prefer to wear the shirt out, but are made to tuck it in.
The girls are rolling the waist down, the legs up and complaining how big they are!!
It is not the total reason for the lack of boys, but it is one of them.
I do think boys and girls do not go into a sport thinking about how much money they will make with it, they do it because they enjoy it. But glory can have a lot to do with that enjoyment. The "money" sports get a whole lot more attention from their peers and the media. The media around here always acts surprised when a kid who has been swimming club all their life suddenly shines for their HS at sectionals. Anyone in the club scene and USA scene knows about the kids, but media only covers HS. Anytime one of our club kids makes it big at Nationals, trials, whatever, the media always associates them with their HS, even though it is the club team that gave them the quality training.
Cinc310, my son's marching band is coming to Arizona in December for the Fiesta Bowl parade. They have been selected to compete in the competition. I cannot go, too much money. Would love to though.
