On the recent broadcast of www.deckpass.com there was some interesting dialogue on age group swimming, Gary Hall Jr, and yes my hero, Jack LaLanne...
Okay... not to digress, but... Sullivan's breakthrough was from technical improvement, not an increase in power output... just an observation.
Jack LaLanne is my hero...
If you swim for fun, you'll always be a winner! Keeping the focus on personal improvement is a great way to hold the "passion" without making comparisons to others. That concept of winning, only being the absolute freaky best, that concept is dysfunctional. If you are in the water regularly, you'll always be a winner; you can feel great about what you are doing.
Swimming is a unique experience, and mastering the water is a joy.
I don't know if you are a parent or not - but for some kids, at an early age, the participant ribbon has some value. A 6 or 7 yr. old understands winning a race, but they may not properly comprehend losing. Sometimes that little ribbon is just enough to not complain about going to swim practice in the morning. At some point - it has to stop and the kid starts to realize that if they want an award they have to earn it by doing more than just participating.
Amen to that. I coached a summer league team for 11 years and those 5-7 year olds need those participant ribbons. It was what kept them coming to practice and encouraged! Once they get older 8 and up, they can grasp the concept of winning/losing. I agree that that is a life lesson they need to learn and they need to link hard work with results/improvement. ....another priceless life lesson.
I don't know if you are a parent or not - but for some kids, at an early age, the participant ribbon has some value. A 6 or 7 yr. old understands winning a race, but they may not properly comprehend losing. Sometimes that little ribbon is just enough to not complain about going to swim practice in the morning. At some point - it has to stop and the kid starts to realize that if they want an award they have to earn it by doing more than just participating.
Amen to that. I coached a summer league team for 11 years and those 5-7 year olds need those participant ribbons. It was what kept them coming to practice and encouraged! Once they get older 8 and up, they can grasp the concept of winning/losing. I agree that that is a life lesson they need to learn and they need to link hard work with results/improvement. ....another priceless life lesson.
