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
My kid and I swim together 2 or 3 times a month. It is good time we spend together. I let her write the workout and be the "coach." This means I do a whole lot of fly while she does a whole lot of nothing or the "Hawaiian" breastroke. If fitness is part of your family routine together it doesn't have to be coaching, it can be plain ole fun (and they might even learn something).
Triathlon is three sports, not one. And, Fort, I have no doubt your kids are faster, stronger, and smarter that just about everyone's elses.
My kid and I swim together 2 or 3 times a month. It is good time we spend together. I let her write the workout and be the "coach." This means I do a whole lot of fly while she does a whole lot of nothing or the "Hawaiian" breastroke. If fitness is part of your family routine together it doesn't have to be coaching, it can be plain ole fun (and they might even learn something).
Triathlon is three sports, not one. And, Fort, I have no doubt your kids are faster, stronger, and smarter that just about everyone's elses.
