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
Parents
Former Member
Ryan, on the other hand, and several of his same-age team mates, were busy playing with some Star Wars spaceships on the deck in between races!! :) What other races???
Hey if they had Star wars ships at masters meets I'd be playing with them too!
You're blessed, he likes swimming and Star Wars...you're doing something right ;)
Ken, Ryan sounds like a normal 8 year old boy. 10 and under boys are notorious for no focus at a meet, missing their heats because they are playing, just being goofy. Girls tend to be better at focusing although my daughter was always goofing with the boys(and still does, oh my).
Had this discussiong briefly this am. My 6 year old boy has had notes on his take home work to "focus." Mrs Stud is worrying he'll be left behind. I tell her he's a boy--they just don't focus. It's tough because our daughter went through first and we had none of this...
Ryan, on the other hand, and several of his same-age team mates, were busy playing with some Star Wars spaceships on the deck in between races!! :) What other races???
Hey if they had Star wars ships at masters meets I'd be playing with them too!
You're blessed, he likes swimming and Star Wars...you're doing something right ;)
Ken, Ryan sounds like a normal 8 year old boy. 10 and under boys are notorious for no focus at a meet, missing their heats because they are playing, just being goofy. Girls tend to be better at focusing although my daughter was always goofing with the boys(and still does, oh my).
Had this discussiong briefly this am. My 6 year old boy has had notes on his take home work to "focus." Mrs Stud is worrying he'll be left behind. I tell her he's a boy--they just don't focus. It's tough because our daughter went through first and we had none of this...
