Greetings all!!
A LONG time ago, I was an age group swimmer. Not all that good, really ... basically I was a 5-6-7 finisher from age 8 through high school. (Thus, no one wanted me for anything more serious!!)
My son, now age 8.5, started swimming on a team this summer and seemed to enjoy it. It was at an outdoor pool and it was a pretty laid back program. This month, we started him in a YMCA program that's considerable more organized. He seems to have a lot of natural talent (for his swimming, baseball, skiing, school work) but no PASSION for anything ... yet.
Now, I know that he's young and I definitely don't want to be a pushy parent, but I do have a question.
For those of you who had success swimming post-high school (college level or nationally), when did that spark of PASSION to really do something special ignite? Was it something your parents did ... or, maybe, did not do? Was it a coach? Happen young? Or late?
I want to encourage him but not pressure him. I had little talent, and thus wasn't able to do all that much athletically. But, he seems to have a LOT of natural talent and I don't want to see him pass up opportunities.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Cheers!!
Ken
We have had a few boys that have been able to excel with a starting point of high school, but I think these boys were exceptional athletes.
When watching the little kids, you can tell which ones are naturals and if they stick with it they will be good. My son was one of those 8 year old naturals, good feeling for the water, good athletism, kinda small and scrawny which hurt against the boys who matured faster, but he always kept up. But Fort is right, High School brings choices, and our high school has no swim team. He decided to quit swimming to pursue other things when he was almost 17.
I have seen too many kids quit earlier than that because their parents push them to go to too many practices, too many meets, pit them against their friends. Let the kids be kids and have fun.
I have so much fun with my daughter at meets. She is middle of the pack, but she usually has a realistic goal she wants to achieve, if she misses it, it is not the end of the world, and then we get to go.......shop!
We have had a few boys that have been able to excel with a starting point of high school, but I think these boys were exceptional athletes.
When watching the little kids, you can tell which ones are naturals and if they stick with it they will be good. My son was one of those 8 year old naturals, good feeling for the water, good athletism, kinda small and scrawny which hurt against the boys who matured faster, but he always kept up. But Fort is right, High School brings choices, and our high school has no swim team. He decided to quit swimming to pursue other things when he was almost 17.
I have seen too many kids quit earlier than that because their parents push them to go to too many practices, too many meets, pit them against their friends. Let the kids be kids and have fun.
I have so much fun with my daughter at meets. She is middle of the pack, but she usually has a realistic goal she wants to achieve, if she misses it, it is not the end of the world, and then we get to go.......shop!
