Dear posters--
My boys swim on a YMCA swim team. Unfortunately the aquatics director is a clueless fool who is hostile to youth swimming. We have a great coach, but the team's ability to grow is severely handicapped because the aquatics director will only allow three lanes in the afternoon for the team. Apparently the Y has a policy to always keep lanes open for lap swimmers. Worse, the YMCA in the neighboring town had to shut down their pool, which left over a hundred boys and girls with no place to swim. Believe it or not, my YMCA (which is independent of Y national) refused to expand its team to accommodate these kids. I am working on a letter to the board of my YMCA asking them to change their policy. I'd like to bring up points related to:
--the benefits of youth swimming
--what's unique about youth swimming compared to other sports
--why a small team (25) diminishes the team experience (relays, etc.)
--any other thoughts
The whole situation is ridiculous and hopefully we can make a persuasive case to the board to change its policy. Thanks so much.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, no, my Y does not have any organized masters swimming program.
Former Member
At least with swimming the kids come home clean.
Ain't that the truth.
The tech suit expense is new for me (I swam competively from '72-'84). A season of ice hockey ranges from $7-10,000 (including travel costs) at the level my son is playing. We are in San Diego so travel is a necessity. That amount, by the way, is what other parents tell me they spend. My husband and I prefer to not add up the expenses. We just fork over the cash and keep our heads in the ground.
The benefits are the same regarding team bonding, friendships, life lessons, etc. Except as far as I know, swimmers don't brawl in the middle of the pool.
Regardless of the cost, it really is fun to watch your kid enjoy a sport (or any event, really), that s/he has fun at and has a passion for.
Of course, there's the $20/week for lost goggles (my all time pet peeve).
Dear Geek,
Thank you for subsidizing my goggle supply. I assume I can also thank you for my swim cap supply and my water bottle supply. I acquire all of them by picking up what the kids leave on deck.
I used to feel guilty about it until one day when I saw one of the guards collecting it all and throwing it in the trash. Now I think of it as "freecycling".
AL
A Pro for youth swimming:
Recent studies have shown that sports mechanics learned at age 6 or earlier can be recalled (thru muscle memory) later in life. Even if that person has not participated in the sport since 6 or earlier and takes it up as a teen or young adult, the body recalls the motion and allows for greater advancement than someone who takes up the sport/activity at a later age (having never domne it before). Sorry I can't quote any specific sources but I'm sure they could be googled.
Things have changed that much since I was a kid? In what way is it expensive? My son plays travel ice hockey, so anything seems tame comparitively.
I have no idea how old you are so maybe you were a kid just a few years ago. Travel is travel, no matter the sport, so that's comparable across sports. If you are on a small team, your travel will be more to get to meets. Big clubs have more local meets, a serious advantage on cost.
If you have a 12+ kid, you have the required tech suit. Then, there's the requisite gear, meet mandated clothing, practice suits, etc. Of course, there's the $20/week for lost goggles (my all time pet peeve). There's the meet fees and club dues. There is also the "undetermined" 20%, which I cannot explain.
Having said this, it's 100% worth it. I assume that hockey, or any travel sport, is similar to swimming in that you develop good friends with like-minded people.
At least with swimming the kids come home clean.
