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
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.
Well, prior to the fun in the pool and the Hawaiian breaststroke, you were speaking of actually coaching your kids.
And I have no doubt that your aim is to make your kids the fastest and strongest swimmers possible, Geek. And, after all the coaching from daddy and David Marsh, maybe they will be.
My aim is to have well-adjusted active kids doing well in all areas of life (academic, athletic and social), whether they're swimming, dancing in the Nutcracker, playing rec soccer or taking guitar lessons. For the record, my youngest doesn't show much competitive fire or prowess at the moment. But, since I practice what I preach, I'm not sweating it. I do hope they end up smart so they can grow up to spar with the lofty likes of you on their own sports forums.
Crew and cross country are further exceptions to your 8-12 rule.
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.
Well, prior to the fun in the pool and the Hawaiian breaststroke, you were speaking of actually coaching your kids.
And I have no doubt that your aim is to make your kids the fastest and strongest swimmers possible, Geek. And, after all the coaching from daddy and David Marsh, maybe they will be.
My aim is to have well-adjusted active kids doing well in all areas of life (academic, athletic and social), whether they're swimming, dancing in the Nutcracker, playing rec soccer or taking guitar lessons. For the record, my youngest doesn't show much competitive fire or prowess at the moment. But, since I practice what I preach, I'm not sweating it. I do hope they end up smart so they can grow up to spar with the lofty likes of you on their own sports forums.
Crew and cross country are further exceptions to your 8-12 rule.
