Saw one of the more interesting articles about the past, present, and future aspects of competitive swimming on SwimInfo's website the other day from Wayne Goldsmith..
www.swiminfo.com/.../7720.asp
I think it provokes a great deal of thought in this arena and specifically within this group since many of us either participate, have friends/relatives who participate, or remember participating in competitive swim meets.
I particularly appreciate the parents perspective provided in the article. While I have little children (5 and almost 3 years old), the thought of going through what my parents did with me makes me hesitate to sign up for the first set of SwimAmerica lessons or summer club swim team to introduce them to swimming. While I swam through my school age years, I didn't really consider just what my parents had to go through right along with me.. I was always thinking about what i was going through. Wow!
Check out the article and see what you think...
Rob
Parents
Former Member
As a swim coach, what I've try to stress to my swimmers is for them to do their best - at practice and meets. This summer, some of my girls finally had an epiphany--they realized that winning without competition or without a best time, was not as satisfying as coming in 2/3 but swimming a best time! Olympic team numbers 52 - all the rest need to be satisfied with doing their best, but not losing sight of their end goal (which may or may not be the Olympics). I've got an 11 yo working for the 2012 O's and and a 17 yo just looking to make a college team and qualify for NCAAs (she will).
I have say tho, that although parents need to take a hit, either for unrealistic views of little Suzy's abilities, or for their lack of trust/respect for the coach THEY pay (digression alert: If you don't trust me, don't respect my coaching abilities/philosophy, please leave the program and find the one that fits for you ...), kids ARE different than we were. Many kids want/expect instant gratification -- and are not ready/willing to work for something that may take some time and energy. This is just something we, as coaches, have to work through.
A bigger question is how to keep boys in the pool after they turn 12... (for another time)
As a swim coach, what I've try to stress to my swimmers is for them to do their best - at practice and meets. This summer, some of my girls finally had an epiphany--they realized that winning without competition or without a best time, was not as satisfying as coming in 2/3 but swimming a best time! Olympic team numbers 52 - all the rest need to be satisfied with doing their best, but not losing sight of their end goal (which may or may not be the Olympics). I've got an 11 yo working for the 2012 O's and and a 17 yo just looking to make a college team and qualify for NCAAs (she will).
I have say tho, that although parents need to take a hit, either for unrealistic views of little Suzy's abilities, or for their lack of trust/respect for the coach THEY pay (digression alert: If you don't trust me, don't respect my coaching abilities/philosophy, please leave the program and find the one that fits for you ...), kids ARE different than we were. Many kids want/expect instant gratification -- and are not ready/willing to work for something that may take some time and energy. This is just something we, as coaches, have to work through.
A bigger question is how to keep boys in the pool after they turn 12... (for another time)
