I'm sure you guys can help... I am a masters swimmer. Our son is 17, has been a club swimmer for four years, and swims on his high school team. He swims with the senior 1 group, and his practices are 2 hours 45 minutes on the weekdays and two hours on Saturdays. He is a decent, solid swimmer (state but not sectional cuts in numerous events). He is a junior in high school and is currently taking five AP courses (his decision, not my husband's and mine). His grades are good and he works hard.
Recently, he has been feeling a lot of stress due to his workload in school and swimming. He told me last night that swimming isn't fun any more. He says he thinks he still wants to swim club, possibly at the senior 2 level instead, and still wants to swim high school. He actually isn't sure he even wants to drop to a less demanding group; he isn't really sure what to do. While I think his academic load is part of why he is stressed, I know that constantly staring at a black line for hours is playing a large part as well. Aside from being supportive of him and encouraging him to talk to his coach (who is my coach as well, which could possibly complicate things), is there anything I can do to help? I don't want to be one of "those" parents, but I want to do what is best for my son. Obviously I would like him to stay in the senior 1 group, but I'm not the one swimming there. His coach knows him well, as he has been with this coach for four years. Part of the issue is that our son doesn't want to let his coach down. I know it is his call, and I'm trying to stay as objective as possible.
I'm sure many of you experienced swim burnout as a teenager. Any suggestions you can give are much appreciated.
Kristin
Kristin,
I just went through this with my daughter, who recently turned 16 and is a sophomore. She was a Sectional level swimmer swimming with the senior 1 group. But the last couple years, she was not enjoying the sport at all. This was compounded by persistent knee/patella problems that further dimmed her enthusiasm. I told her I would happily support whatever decision she made about swimming as long as she was doing some sport and getting exercise. After about a year of agonizing, she decided to quit club swimming altogether. She still plans to do summer league swimming and high school swimming, but on a very very reduced solo swim schedule. She is now on the high school & club volleyball teams and seems much happier. She misses her swim friends, but doesn't miss the black line and long hard practices. Swimming is a tough sport and, if they don't love it, it can make them miserable. Trying to do 5 AP courses on top of demanding senior workouts seems doubly hard. Sounds like something has to give or he may need a break from the current schedule. I understand the issue of "not letting his coach down," but that's a good basis on which to make decisions for himself. A talk to the coach might be warranted.
Personally, I experienced some burnout as a teenager. But I persisted and didn't quit until I was a freshman in college. I was much happier afterward.
Kristin,
I just went through this with my daughter, who recently turned 16 and is a sophomore. She was a Sectional level swimmer swimming with the senior 1 group. But the last couple years, she was not enjoying the sport at all. This was compounded by persistent knee/patella problems that further dimmed her enthusiasm. I told her I would happily support whatever decision she made about swimming as long as she was doing some sport and getting exercise. After about a year of agonizing, she decided to quit club swimming altogether. She still plans to do summer league swimming and high school swimming, but on a very very reduced solo swim schedule. She is now on the high school & club volleyball teams and seems much happier. She misses her swim friends, but doesn't miss the black line and long hard practices. Swimming is a tough sport and, if they don't love it, it can make them miserable. Trying to do 5 AP courses on top of demanding senior workouts seems doubly hard. Sounds like something has to give or he may need a break from the current schedule. I understand the issue of "not letting his coach down," but that's a good basis on which to make decisions for himself. A talk to the coach might be warranted.
Personally, I experienced some burnout as a teenager. But I persisted and didn't quit until I was a freshman in college. I was much happier afterward.
