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
I know one parent some years ago who took their 12 year old to senior nationals after she swam a 1:05 in the 100 ***. The kid couldn't take the pressure, freaked out and never really recovered to swim anywhere close to that elite level again. Very sad.
And I know of a 12-year-old who went to Olympic Trials with a cut in the 100 Fly after beginning year-round swimming less than a year earlier. She did well but 4 years later she had the confidence and experience to qualify for the Olympic team to final in an individual event and take gold/WR on a relay.
I know one parent some years ago who took their 12 year old to senior nationals after she swam a 1:05 in the 100 ***. The kid couldn't take the pressure, freaked out and never really recovered to swim anywhere close to that elite level again. Very sad.
And I know of a 12-year-old who went to Olympic Trials with a cut in the 100 Fly after beginning year-round swimming less than a year earlier. She did well but 4 years later she had the confidence and experience to qualify for the Olympic team to final in an individual event and take gold/WR on a relay.
