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 probably shaved when I was around 13 or 14, probably for my first Junior Nationals, but I honestly can't recall. My oldest daughter is now 13 and she's going to shave for her state championships this year; but this is probably more related to the fact that her non-swimming girlfriends are shaving their legs than for the competitive edge. Still, she's kind of excited about the prospect.
The real question is: At what age do we stop shaving for meets?
When I started swimming Masters. I've been back at Masters since 2000, competing most years with varying levels of intensity. This past December was the first time I shaved as a Masters' swimmer and, as I was wearing a B70, I only shaved my arms. Took about 15 minutes max. I don't know if it mattered, but it was so simple, I'll do it again for my two taper meets this spring. Thanks to full body suits, I can't see a day when I'm going to shave my legs again ... which is good because my 5 year old daughter already thought I was bonkers to shave my arms; I don't know what she'd think about Dad shaving his legs!
I probably shaved when I was around 13 or 14, probably for my first Junior Nationals, but I honestly can't recall. My oldest daughter is now 13 and she's going to shave for her state championships this year; but this is probably more related to the fact that her non-swimming girlfriends are shaving their legs than for the competitive edge. Still, she's kind of excited about the prospect.
The real question is: At what age do we stop shaving for meets?
When I started swimming Masters. I've been back at Masters since 2000, competing most years with varying levels of intensity. This past December was the first time I shaved as a Masters' swimmer and, as I was wearing a B70, I only shaved my arms. Took about 15 minutes max. I don't know if it mattered, but it was so simple, I'll do it again for my two taper meets this spring. Thanks to full body suits, I can't see a day when I'm going to shave my legs again ... which is good because my 5 year old daughter already thought I was bonkers to shave my arms; I don't know what she'd think about Dad shaving his legs!
