Is swimming "eating its young?" Are they being burned out with mindless yardage? Do they have to do volume training for long events? Are we missing masters swimmers who were burned out as youths? As to the kids, what can we do to stop the cannabalism?
Parents
Former Member
99% of the people I grew up with in youth swimming burned out and quit at 18. A handful stayed through college and one still does masters and running. I'm back at it after leaving at 18, but it took 22 years.
Hockey season in San Diego can run all year almost since we have the opportunity to play roller hockey. Each season I ask my son if he wants to keep going. After each practice AND game I ask if he had fun. And he's a serious travel hockey player. You can have fun and be competitive and successful.
Aside from the other points people have brought up, it's also important to remember to have some element of FUN. Swimming 1000's of yardage a day 6 days/week plus meets does NOT equal Fun. A balance has to be struck to keep that mental edge and want to jump in that cold pool each day.
99% of the people I grew up with in youth swimming burned out and quit at 18. A handful stayed through college and one still does masters and running. I'm back at it after leaving at 18, but it took 22 years.
Hockey season in San Diego can run all year almost since we have the opportunity to play roller hockey. Each season I ask my son if he wants to keep going. After each practice AND game I ask if he had fun. And he's a serious travel hockey player. You can have fun and be competitive and successful.
Aside from the other points people have brought up, it's also important to remember to have some element of FUN. Swimming 1000's of yardage a day 6 days/week plus meets does NOT equal Fun. A balance has to be struck to keep that mental edge and want to jump in that cold pool each day.
