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
Parents
Former Member
Everyone has different priorities in life, but skipping practices or leaving early can send the wrong message to the rest of the team. It is just as important that kids learn to follow through on all of their commitments and budget their time accordingly. Of course the coach might not mind, but I'd rather see someone stick with the requirements of a single training group throughout a season. I never took 5 AP's in a single year, but I did take 8 in total (4 max one year), so I'm familiar with the level of work required.
This is the most important point. I'm guessing he could still navigate his way through the season, but if he's not happy it could turn him off to swimming forever or he might negatively impact the team atmosphere. But it also sounds like he might not be satisfied doing shorter practices.
AP exams are only 7 months away :) I'd tell him to go for it.
Actually, it totally depends on what he plans on doing in college. Assuming he improves, his junior year performances will maximize his scholarship potential. If he plans on being a walk-on somewhere or swimming DIII, he could just take a break for 7 months. If he wants to go DI, I'd recommend pushing through.
All good points as well. He also has a typical type A personality, so I'm not so sure he'd be happy with slower times due to an easier practice group. As far as college goes, up until a couple of weeks ago he talked about swimming at a strongly academic DIII school with a competitive swim team (similar to Emory in Atlanta). He is at practice now and presumably talked with his coach as he went a little bit early, so hopefully they'll have a solution that's workable for everyone.
I really hope he takes a lighter course load next year when he is a senior.
Everyone has different priorities in life, but skipping practices or leaving early can send the wrong message to the rest of the team. It is just as important that kids learn to follow through on all of their commitments and budget their time accordingly. Of course the coach might not mind, but I'd rather see someone stick with the requirements of a single training group throughout a season. I never took 5 AP's in a single year, but I did take 8 in total (4 max one year), so I'm familiar with the level of work required.
This is the most important point. I'm guessing he could still navigate his way through the season, but if he's not happy it could turn him off to swimming forever or he might negatively impact the team atmosphere. But it also sounds like he might not be satisfied doing shorter practices.
AP exams are only 7 months away :) I'd tell him to go for it.
Actually, it totally depends on what he plans on doing in college. Assuming he improves, his junior year performances will maximize his scholarship potential. If he plans on being a walk-on somewhere or swimming DIII, he could just take a break for 7 months. If he wants to go DI, I'd recommend pushing through.
All good points as well. He also has a typical type A personality, so I'm not so sure he'd be happy with slower times due to an easier practice group. As far as college goes, up until a couple of weeks ago he talked about swimming at a strongly academic DIII school with a competitive swim team (similar to Emory in Atlanta). He is at practice now and presumably talked with his coach as he went a little bit early, so hopefully they'll have a solution that's workable for everyone.
I really hope he takes a lighter course load next year when he is a senior.
