“Michael’s vision is to increase swimming in the US"
Former Member
Ok - Phelps is at the top of his career and his popularity - How could he (or anybody else working with him) help to improve swimming in the United States ?
What do we need - grassroot swimcamps ? A Michael Phelps US swimming tour ? Phelps racing various people around the country ?
Can we get 5000 people into a pool + TV coverage for a Lochte + Peirsol vs Phelps showdown ? I am certain Track and Field will have some big money races in Europe following the Olympis. How much would somebody pay to have Phelps race Cavic in 3 weeks ?
Parents
Former Member
In my opinion, Phelps can (and has) put down a lot of groundwork for increased youth participation, but the real work to sustain interest and keep kids going in the sport has to come at the individual club (and perhaps LSC) level. They must find a way to make practices and competitions more fun and exciting for kids (and tolerable for parents).
My 9 yo son really likes swimming, but his first experience with age group USA swimming (at 8) was not great. He didn't really like going to practice and what enthusiasm he had for meets was fairly quickly dashed when he realized that the competitions pretty much take up an entire weekend and then it's back to school on Monday. Compared to that, he has loved summer league, where the meets are quick and fun, and the practices are low key. He also loves soccer and basketball, where they play games regularly and even practices largely consist of games and scrimmages.
You might say, hey, swimming is a tough sport and kids these days just need to be more disciplined. But, we need to get them "hooked" somewhere between 7 and 11 by making it fun, then get more serious if they continue. I think Phelps' main role is to peak the interest and get the kids to try swimming. Beyond that, it's up to coaches and parents.
In my opinion, Phelps can (and has) put down a lot of groundwork for increased youth participation, but the real work to sustain interest and keep kids going in the sport has to come at the individual club (and perhaps LSC) level. They must find a way to make practices and competitions more fun and exciting for kids (and tolerable for parents).
My 9 yo son really likes swimming, but his first experience with age group USA swimming (at 8) was not great. He didn't really like going to practice and what enthusiasm he had for meets was fairly quickly dashed when he realized that the competitions pretty much take up an entire weekend and then it's back to school on Monday. Compared to that, he has loved summer league, where the meets are quick and fun, and the practices are low key. He also loves soccer and basketball, where they play games regularly and even practices largely consist of games and scrimmages.
You might say, hey, swimming is a tough sport and kids these days just need to be more disciplined. But, we need to get them "hooked" somewhere between 7 and 11 by making it fun, then get more serious if they continue. I think Phelps' main role is to peak the interest and get the kids to try swimming. Beyond that, it's up to coaches and parents.
