Help from swimming parents!

[UMTerp]

My two kids DS(12) and DD(9) just started on the local pool swim team last year. They had both had some lessons at the local rec center but no formal training before that. They did OK during the season. I signed them up for swimming during the fall and winter with a local very competitive team. They did not go to meets, just practice twice a week for an hour. They made some improvement in endurance but not in strokes. The coaches didn't seem interested in improving/correcting their strokes. Most of the kids just went for speed. This spring I signed them up for a stroke development class (level II out of III levels). I figured since they knew the strokes that they didn't need level I (may have been my mistake). Last night the teacher says that none of the kids wanted to be there. She asked who wanted to go home and everyone raised their hand. She asked them why they were there and all said that their parents made them come. She said that she can't teach the kids anything if they don't want to be there and don't want to learn. She told us that at "this level" the kids should be paying better attention and doing what she said. She said to ask them if they want to improve their strokes or otherwise she will just have drills for the entire 45 minutes each class. I talked to my kids about this and they said that they are trying. I have been right there so they are not acting up or distrespecting the teacher. Both kids say that they have trouble hearing the teacher sometimes. I told them to tell her that. I'm thinking that I will talk to her next class and tell her their training history and see if they are in the wrong level class. If they are in the wrong level it's my fault, not theirs! This is a rec center class so I was thinking it wouldn't be so serious. I was kind of taken aback by her anger/frustration!

Anyone who's been involved in competitve swimming - what kind of classes do you sign your child up for to improve? We are not really a competitive family, just want to improve and enjoy the sport.

Thanks for any insight!

UMTerp

 

[Carrieannew]

Hello there !

My daughter has been on the local YMCA swim team for the past 2 years. She only does the winter season only. There is a summer one but I have enough trouble affording the winter season. Between the team fee, the bathing suit and then the meets that will cost extra money its more than enough.

My daughter did it because she had been taking lessons since she was 3 or 4 and had gone as far as she could there. Many of the first year swimmers are there for the exercise and to just learn more.

The parents.. i could go on and on about them. I cant even begin to explain it. They are very competative. My daughter does it because she likes it. This year she improved so much that she started winning races and then she pushed herself because she saw what she could do.

I think swimming is such a good sport for kids. I think you might have them in the wrong level or the coaches are not really understanding the kids they have. When the kids are in the pool its so hard for them to hear.

I would just tell the coaches how you and your kids feel and get there opinion.

Good Luck!

 

[r3ngels]

My DD's take lessons from the asst coach of their swim team... they love her and she can teach them exactly what they need because she watches them at the meets.

I would talk to your childrens teacher and explain it to her, that they want to be there and ask her about the level of swimming.

She may have just had a bad day... no excuse IMO....

 

[Janet Hill]

I assume your kids swim at Curl Burke??? We live in norther Va and I know that this is one of the more competitive teams in the area. Not the proper place for my kids. The year round team my kids swim with really emphasize stroke development. My son has Asperger's and they even accommodate him quite nicely. PM if you want more info

 

[pittypat]

My DS swam from age 8 until his senior year when he was captain of his high school swim team. It sounds to me like the teacher is the one with the problem. One trap we really had to work hard to avoid was doing "too much" swimming/learning. My son tried a year round program to improve stroke and endurance and ending up hating it and almost quit swimming altogether. This goes against much of what our culture pushes, but I think kids should do a sport because it is FUN. It sounds like your childrens' new teacher is NO fun. I would say, just do what you're doing. Keep looking for a program that's a "fit" for your kids. Also, know that kids improve with age alot, too. When my DS was a freshman he came in last in every race. By the time he was a senior, he was ranked #1 on the team. I don't tell you that to brag, but to encourage you and your kids that diligence DOES pay off. Swimming is the best sport ever! Hope you all have fun with it.

 

[UMTerp]

I assume your kids swim at Curl Burke??? We live in norther Va and I know that this is one of the more competitive teams in the area. Not the proper place for my kids. The year round team my kids swim with really emphasize stroke development. My son has Asperger's and they even accommodate him quite nicely. PM if you want more info

Not Curl Burke, but Mason Makos which seems to be more competitive (from what I understand from others). I wasn't happy with Makos (very expensive and no teaching/correction). This new class is at Oak Mar rec center.

Thank you so much for your advice and encouragement! My kids really do seem to enjoy swimming and I don't want to ruin it for them!

UMTerp

 

[JustineMarie]

I know that this is off-topic and i apologize to the OP, but I was wondering if anyone could give an idea of what the costs are for the swim team? We were thinking about getting involved at our local swim club and i can't get a hold of anyone as far as fees go. thanks in advance.

 

[UMTerp]

I know that this is off-topic and i apologize to the OP, but I was wondering if anyone could give an idea of what the costs are for the swim team? We were thinking about getting involved at our local swim club and i can't get a hold of anyone as far as fees go. thanks in advance.

Our local pool swim team costs $75 per child for the summer. Add $50 each (approximately) for team swim suit and $5 or so for swim cap. This included 5 practices a week and all meets.

The more competitive team (Mason Makos in our case) was about $1000 per child for fall and winter. Included suit and cap. This included 2 practices a week and some meet fees (we did not participate - hope to get this back someday).

Your child will need goggles (about $15) and will eventually need fins (about $25) and possibly other supplies (kickboard).

So I guess it really depends on where you go and what you are looking for.

Hope this helps!

UMTerp

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi!

Both my DD12 & DS9 are on year-round competitive swim teams.
When I say "year-round", it's really only 11 months...they get August off.

DD12 has been on it for 4 years & DS9 for 3.

They have never taken a "stroke" class or anything.

Their coaches do it all....stroke technique, diving, turns, distance, etc....
you name it, the coaches work on it with the kids.

Our team though, has very competitive swimmers.
Everyone competes in a minimum of meets, or you could lose your spot on the team for the following year (our swim year starts every Sept.).

If I were in your situation, I'd look around for a team that also works on technique & not just speed. My DH is a U.S. Swimming Official (he's one of the guys that judges at the meets & D.Qs. kids for improper strokes) & he'll tell you that technique is just as important as speed.