Originally posted by cinc310
I agree with you there. There are dozens of male swimmers that started in high school that made nationals. I think most males are about two years behind female swimmers in development. I think that female swimmers have it more difficult since you don't make nationals by age 15, you are not going to be the next Katie Hoff. Granted, there are more late starters making it big in the women's category than in the past. Also, parents can push hard kids that don't even make nationals. I know because my father did that.
I am learning so much from my daughter. At 12, she is just now passing my times.......so she is no speed demon. But she swims because she loves her friends, because she loves being in the water, because I want her to have a form of exercise that she likes. I do think goals are important for kids of any speed, it helps make it fun as long as it is their goals. Last winter my husband took her to a session of one of those long 3 day meets, so I could get some rest. About mid morning I get a phone call.....Mom, what is your 100 free time?....I tell her........ Oh Mom, I busted that time, here is what else I am swimming, what are your times in those?
And we played that game the rest of the year. I swam the 200 in March, and tried my best to beat her 200 free time, and had bad turns, and did not, which tickled her further. I know, she will totally zoom by me this year, but it sure has been fun for some laughs and we have enjoyed it.
Originally posted by cinc310
I agree with you there. There are dozens of male swimmers that started in high school that made nationals. I think most males are about two years behind female swimmers in development. I think that female swimmers have it more difficult since you don't make nationals by age 15, you are not going to be the next Katie Hoff. Granted, there are more late starters making it big in the women's category than in the past. Also, parents can push hard kids that don't even make nationals. I know because my father did that.
I am learning so much from my daughter. At 12, she is just now passing my times.......so she is no speed demon. But she swims because she loves her friends, because she loves being in the water, because I want her to have a form of exercise that she likes. I do think goals are important for kids of any speed, it helps make it fun as long as it is their goals. Last winter my husband took her to a session of one of those long 3 day meets, so I could get some rest. About mid morning I get a phone call.....Mom, what is your 100 free time?....I tell her........ Oh Mom, I busted that time, here is what else I am swimming, what are your times in those?
And we played that game the rest of the year. I swam the 200 in March, and tried my best to beat her 200 free time, and had bad turns, and did not, which tickled her further. I know, she will totally zoom by me this year, but it sure has been fun for some laughs and we have enjoyed it.
