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
Because of my lack of competitive swim club background and my general contrarian philosophies I have tried to actually hold my kids back from competitive swimming. It wasn't like they were begging us to swim on a competitive team, but we didn't encourage it at all. They swam summer club only and I helped them with some technique that sometimes you don't get in summer club. My twin daughters just started swimming on a competitive team at 13. They are only swimming 3 times a week until they tell us they want to do more (it may never happen). The hope is that they enjoy it more in high school and later in life and don't hit a plateau in high school. I am taking the same approach with my 11 year old son. They play other sports as well and they may choose one of those other sports ultimately. Anyway, that is my little experiment with my children. My concern is more the opposite. In today's more competitive swim environment did we do them more harm then good? Will they get discouraged because they can't compete with the kids that have been swimming longer? Will they never catch-up? I guess only time will tell.
Tim
I wonder the same about my kids. I have them do summer league because I'm there coaching and they've always enjoyed it. They haven't been interested in swimming year-round and I can't make myself push the issue. Swimming is MY passion--and I don't think it's fair for me to try to force it to be theirs. That doesn't mean I don't secretly hope they catch the bug...:)
I know what you mean about wondering if you're doing the right thing, though. Like you, I didn't start swimming seriously (year-round) until high-school and none of my kids are there yet. I worry that I may be under the false impression that you can still start late and have a lot of success. That may not be as true now as it was 25+ years ago.
Because of my lack of competitive swim club background and my general contrarian philosophies I have tried to actually hold my kids back from competitive swimming. It wasn't like they were begging us to swim on a competitive team, but we didn't encourage it at all. They swam summer club only and I helped them with some technique that sometimes you don't get in summer club. My twin daughters just started swimming on a competitive team at 13. They are only swimming 3 times a week until they tell us they want to do more (it may never happen). The hope is that they enjoy it more in high school and later in life and don't hit a plateau in high school. I am taking the same approach with my 11 year old son. They play other sports as well and they may choose one of those other sports ultimately. Anyway, that is my little experiment with my children. My concern is more the opposite. In today's more competitive swim environment did we do them more harm then good? Will they get discouraged because they can't compete with the kids that have been swimming longer? Will they never catch-up? I guess only time will tell.
Tim
I wonder the same about my kids. I have them do summer league because I'm there coaching and they've always enjoyed it. They haven't been interested in swimming year-round and I can't make myself push the issue. Swimming is MY passion--and I don't think it's fair for me to try to force it to be theirs. That doesn't mean I don't secretly hope they catch the bug...:)
I know what you mean about wondering if you're doing the right thing, though. Like you, I didn't start swimming seriously (year-round) until high-school and none of my kids are there yet. I worry that I may be under the false impression that you can still start late and have a lot of success. That may not be as true now as it was 25+ years ago.
