I was reading the Western Australia's e-newsletter. They give all 12yr olds and under a backpack whenthe kid joins a team. It had soemstuff in it. This woudl be a great way to encourage kids here in the states. Has USMS or USA Swimmign ever done anyhting like this?
I know here it is really hard to get kids to stay through the season. ASlso, as soon as the Y's basketball season starts, many leave. It is weird becasue the Y runs both programs. Therefore, they don't lose out.
Originally posted by gull80
The point is that kids can play on a basketball team without investing a lot of time and still derive some gratification from the experience (ie scoring some baskets). Swimming does not yield immediate results at any level and requires a substantial amount of time (years) learning technique and developing VO2max.
Having spent my first 18 years splitting time between basketball and swimming I can say that in order to be good or stink at both requires the same amount of effort and dedication and produces the same amount of gratification based on effort.
My young daughter is in both a developmental swimming and basketball leagues and they consume equal time, and provide equal gratification. I believe the ups and downs of swimming are about the same as the ups and downs of any sport. A six year old making a basket is hard work but so is that same six year old swimming a 25 fly in under 25 seconds.
Now, before I have to swim out to gull's island and beat him like he so richly deserves, I do agree VO2Max is unique to swimming because no hoopster would ever engage is such a pointless discussion. Swimmers are smarter, after all.
Originally posted by gull80
The point is that kids can play on a basketball team without investing a lot of time and still derive some gratification from the experience (ie scoring some baskets). Swimming does not yield immediate results at any level and requires a substantial amount of time (years) learning technique and developing VO2max.
Having spent my first 18 years splitting time between basketball and swimming I can say that in order to be good or stink at both requires the same amount of effort and dedication and produces the same amount of gratification based on effort.
My young daughter is in both a developmental swimming and basketball leagues and they consume equal time, and provide equal gratification. I believe the ups and downs of swimming are about the same as the ups and downs of any sport. A six year old making a basket is hard work but so is that same six year old swimming a 25 fly in under 25 seconds.
Now, before I have to swim out to gull's island and beat him like he so richly deserves, I do agree VO2Max is unique to swimming because no hoopster would ever engage is such a pointless discussion. Swimmers are smarter, after all.
