Hey everyone, wasn't sure were to put this questions so I decided to place it here. I also wanted to get some opinions from knowlageable swimmers like yourselves so I hope you don't mind me asking this.
Here's the story..
My daughter is 9 years old and has been competing for about 8 months but taking swimming lessons since the age of 3. She's extremely descent for her age (about 35 seconds 50 free, 43 seconds 50 fly, 45 seconds 50 back and 43 seconds 50 ***) just to give you an idea. I decided to pull her off the current team as I feel he was not improving enough as her coach did very little technique training and put her in private lessons with someone I think can really help her learn the little things to make her faster.
Anyways, here is the other thing.
During her swim meets I noticed another 9 year old girl who is swimming with times such as 32 seconds 50 free, 32 seconds 50 fly, 38 seconds 50 *** ect and could not believe it. Keep in mind this girl JUST turned 9!
My question is this,
How is it that a 9 year old child can swim times as fast as many of the top 11, 12 or 13 year olds? Is this a freak of nature? Is it just good coaching? Physical strength? or what.
I did not think it was possible for kids this age to swim so fast. Is there any hope for my daughter to "catch up" to kids like this?
I would like to know everyones opinion on youth marvels like this. I believe this kids has gotten as fast as she will get but that's my own personal opinion. She is sort of short and perhaps as she matures other kids will eventually get taller and stronger and catch up to her times?
If you were in my shoes what would YOU do with your daughter to help her attain these kinds of times?
Thanks
When I was about 7 or 8 years old, my father had me join an organization called National Turners. It was a gymnastics club. My father was a state champion gymnast on the parallel bars. We did mostly tumbling in the club and the older kids did p-bars, rings, side horse etc. I remember being OK at it, enjoyed it, but it was not a passion (I loved playing softball).
Not sure how long I stayed at it, probably the one year. Dad never pushed me. When I got to HS as a freshman, I wanted to go out for the football team. My folks said "NO". I was disappointed (but am now sooooo glad they would not let me do that.)
On the east coast swimming is a winter sport and so the winter of my freshman year I thought, hey, I can swim, so I went out for the swim team. I did pretty well. My father came to all of the meets, but never tried to coach me. As I made progress through my sophomore year, my father made a big decision. We moved to another town that had the best swim team in the state, and one of the best in the nation. It was a great move for me and I spent the next two years on an excellent swim team. Several of my teammates went to trials and one made the team in '68.
I went to a Division III school and dad continued to come to almost all my meets. I decided not to swim my senior year, but instead I went out for the gymnastics team. I did parallel bars and floor exercise. I wasn't the best on the team, but I really enjoyed that year and that competition.
My father came to all of the competitions. Although he never said so, I am pretty sure he was pleased that I competed in gymnastics. And I of course am pleased that I did so as well.
The point here is that I am very glad that he supported without pushing me. I have been swimming masters for over 30 years and have had some success. It is a passion for me and I still love it everyday!
Thanks DAD!!!
When I was about 7 or 8 years old, my father had me join an organization called National Turners. It was a gymnastics club. My father was a state champion gymnast on the parallel bars. We did mostly tumbling in the club and the older kids did p-bars, rings, side horse etc. I remember being OK at it, enjoyed it, but it was not a passion (I loved playing softball).
Not sure how long I stayed at it, probably the one year. Dad never pushed me. When I got to HS as a freshman, I wanted to go out for the football team. My folks said "NO". I was disappointed (but am now sooooo glad they would not let me do that.)
On the east coast swimming is a winter sport and so the winter of my freshman year I thought, hey, I can swim, so I went out for the swim team. I did pretty well. My father came to all of the meets, but never tried to coach me. As I made progress through my sophomore year, my father made a big decision. We moved to another town that had the best swim team in the state, and one of the best in the nation. It was a great move for me and I spent the next two years on an excellent swim team. Several of my teammates went to trials and one made the team in '68.
I went to a Division III school and dad continued to come to almost all my meets. I decided not to swim my senior year, but instead I went out for the gymnastics team. I did parallel bars and floor exercise. I wasn't the best on the team, but I really enjoyed that year and that competition.
My father came to all of the competitions. Although he never said so, I am pretty sure he was pleased that I competed in gymnastics. And I of course am pleased that I did so as well.
The point here is that I am very glad that he supported without pushing me. I have been swimming masters for over 30 years and have had some success. It is a passion for me and I still love it everyday!
Thanks DAD!!!
