All About Competitive Swimming

[TravelMummy]

sembgal:

What is the difference between recreational swimming and competitive swimming? Will swimming develop big muscles which does not look nice on a girl if she is learning ballet concurrently with swimming?

Main difference is training regimen and intensity. Competitive swimming trains swimmers to compete and win. In order to do that, junior swimmers typically train daily or at least 3-4 times a week. Each session is 2-3 hrs of incessant swimming, everyday, every time, of all 4 strokes with kids motivated to achieve ever challenging swim times. Kids learn to be very disciplined and become very fit. In relay swimming they learn teamwork, to encourage and motivate each other. In recreational swimming, you get less of the benefits and none of the pain.

I think musculature is partly genetically determined. Swimming enhances the muscle definition and core strength. I know of many backstrokers who are lean and look very nice. In my personal opinion, a fit and healthy child always looks better than a thin sallow one. I don't often see any fat competitive swimmers around, most carry themselves pretty well. Big muscles are seldom prevalent among young girls but most generally develop a nice v- shaped bod.

[TravelMummy]

zeemimi:

TravelMummy:

I'd vote for aquatic masters. I've heard good things about the coaches and of late, they have been able to attract a number of v good swimmers from other clubs.

Thanks travelmummy. My dd's school swim coach wants dd to join a swim club instead of the school's team. So I'm evaluating the clubs operating around my house.

If dd is keen to train competitively, a swim club is definitely the way to go. There is no way school swimming can offer the same level of intensity necessary for competitive swimming. Most school swimmers train externally in clubs. But it requires a ton of commitment to succeed. It is one of the most competitive sports around in Singapore.

[zeemimi]

TravelMummy:

zeemimi:

[quote=\"TravelMummy\"]I'd vote for aquatic masters. I've heard good things about the coaches and of late, they have been able to attract a number of v good swimmers from other clubs.

Thanks travelmummy. My dd's school swim coach wants dd to join a swim club instead of the school's team. So I'm evaluating the clubs operating around my house.

If dd is keen to train competitively, a swim club is definitely the way to go. There is no way school swimming can offer the same level of intensity necessary for competitive swimming. Most school swimmers train externally in clubs. But it requires a ton of commitment to succeed. It is one of the most competitive sports around in Singapore.[/quote]dd is keen but this mummy is not so keen cos essentially i'll also be \"training\" with her cos I'll bethe one fetching her to and fro. it's also commitment on my part. :faint:
actually dd's recreational swim coach recommended her to her sch swim coach, but the sch swim coach says dd is beyond the sch's level already. she's ready to go direct to swim club. i don't know to be happy or sad when i think of the commitment ahead.

[TravelMummy]

Well, if dd is motivated, it is a good sign. Why not just let her try? Don't think so far ahead, just give it a go and see if she really likes it after a few months. As for yourself, it can actually be quite nice to meet other parents within the swimming community once you get over the pain of ferrying. I made many good friends at the swim club. But indeed, it is a tough commitment. Their training just gets tougher and tougher with each stage.

[swimironkids]

zeemimi:

For competitive swimming, is Ace or Aquatic Master better?

Hi all, Ace & AM has merged sometime back I forgot the actual date but think it likes 1-2yrs
Not good to disclose the detail behind this but u can PM me if u want to know more unless there new development I'm not aware of
Best not sure just join swimfast aquatic club cos u will never get it wrong as they have hold the National Swimming Championship Title for 8 out of 9 years....this I remember cos I hv the T shirts and I'm proud to wear it

[TravelMummy]

swimironkids:

zeemimi:

For competitive swimming, is Ace or Aquatic Master better?

Hi all, Ace & AM has merged sometime back I forgot the actual date but think it likes 1-2yrs
Not good to disclose the detail behind this but u can PM me if u want to know more unless there new development I'm not aware of
Best not sure just join swimfast aquatic club cos u will never get it wrong as they have hold the National Swimming Championship Title for 8 out of 9 years....this I remember cos I hv the T shirts and I'm proud to wear it

My impression is that SwimFast may be better for the older kids than younger ones? For the younger age groups, it has been CSC sweeping the top spot, year after year, no? And comments from other parents in this forum that it sometimes is too crowded at Swimfast. I am a little confused.

[buds]

sembgal:

What is the difference between recreational swimming and competitive swimming? Will swimming develop big muscles which does not look nice on a girl if she is learning ballet concurrently with swimming?

TravelMummy:

I think musculature is partly genetically determined. Swimming enhances the muscle definition and core strength. I know of many backstrokers who are lean and look very nice. In my personal opinion, a fit and healthy child always looks better than a thin sallow one. I don't often see any fat competitive swimmers around, most carry themselves pretty well. Big muscles are seldom prevalent among young girls but most generally develop a nice v- shaped bod.

For myself, it was broad shoulders.

And the flat stomach.

[zeemimi]

May I know what are the fees like for these swim clubs such as aquatic masters, swimfast, aps?

[swimironkids]

TravelMummy:

swimironkids:

[quote=\"zeemimi\"]For competitive swimming, is Ace or Aquatic Master better?

Hi all, Ace & AM has merged sometime back I forgot the actual date but think it likes 1-2yrs
Not good to disclose the detail behind this but u can PM me if u want to know more unless there new development I'm not aware of
Best not sure just join swimfast aquatic club cos u will never get it wrong as they have hold the National Swimming Championship Title for 8 out of 9 years....this I remember cos I hv the T shirts and I'm proud to wear it

My impression is that SwimFast may be better for the older kids than younger ones? For the younger age groups, it has been CSC sweeping the top spot, year after year, no? And comments from other parents in this forum that it sometimes is too crowded at Swimfast. I am a little confused.[/quote]Confused not...wait and see this year' meet......focus is now change IMO......last JIC in Nov was csc 866, sf 847!
Unless u have a fat wallet to join csc for a 5 figure membership plus a monthly sub fee of $70... I not sure of the monthly fee.....
SF is only 3 figure one time payment to train.....
If over crowded at sf only speaks of one thing...just like a long Q at one of the stall at the hawker centre..hehe :xedfingers:

[Wolfgirl]

Heard and seen that some CSC coaches have left for other clubs or set up their own.


Their swimmers left with them too… Thus, number of swimmers in CSC may drop.