The coach at the local Y suggested that 11-12 year olds should shave for a big meet this weekend. I know there are individuals on this site who have children swimming, past and present. How early to shave? I believe 11 years old is too young. How much time can be dropped by an 11 year old wanting to shave. Is it me? Old fashioned? Have times changed in the arena of swimming? How young have kids be encouraged to shave? What was the result?
I shaved for two meets in my entire swimming career - the "sectional championships" for my high school swim team (Junior and Senior years). I mainly felt weird with leg hairs sticking out the fastskin leggings I had for the meets. I never shaved for age group JO's or even some of the USA swimming AA meets and so on. In my opinion, it just was not worth it.
All this being said, how many 11 year old's have enough body hair to significantly change their swimming times by shaving? Sounds like a mental boost - mostly copying the older swimmers and feeling cool for it.
I shaved for two meets in my entire swimming career - the "sectional championships" for my high school swim team (Junior and Senior years). I mainly felt weird with leg hairs sticking out the fastskin leggings I had for the meets. I never shaved for age group JO's or even some of the USA swimming AA meets and so on. In my opinion, it just was not worth it.
All this being said, how many 11 year old's have enough body hair to significantly change their swimming times by shaving? Sounds like a mental boost - mostly copying the older swimmers and feeling cool for it.
