All About Competitive Swimming

[oldman123]

Dear All


My son is 8 eight years old and he love to swim. However, because of school work, we don’t really have time to swim except for the one-hour swimming class at APS that he is attending. I understand that Competitive Swimming requires a lot of commitment and at least three times a week of training.

However, swimming seems to be the only thing he loves and is able to do relatively well. Just yesterday, he came in 2nd and 3rd for backstroke and breaststroke in the APS school’s competition. This is despite that he did not even practice at all other than the one hour per week session with the school.

I am lost as to whether we should let him pursue this interest (as I am sure his studies will be affected if need to train three times a week).

Would appreciate if someone can advise how good, ie. time taken for 30m backstroke and breaststroke, before it is worth considering to take up competitive swimming ?

Please help. Thanks

[jennie1]

Hi all,


Can anyone recommend a great swim coach for stroke correction? My 11 year old daughter is a competitive swimmer but has a few stroke niggles that are not getting fixed at squad. We are looking for 1 on 1 lessons at our condo pool but will travel if we need to. Thanks in advance!

[oldman123]

Dear All


Would appreciate if someone can advise how good, ie. time taken for 30m (2 laps of 15m) backstroke and breaststroke, before it is worth considering to take up competitive swimming ?

Please help. Thanks

[TravelMummy]

oldman123:

Dear All


Would appreciate if someone can advise how good, ie. time taken for 30m (2 laps of 15m) backstroke and breaststroke, before it is worth considering to take up competitive swimming ?

Please help. Thanks

In competitive swimming, we go by 25m or 50m for juniors. To win, kid need to swim below 20 secs for back and 21 secs for breast for 25m. Download meetmobile and check out the timings in the latest midget meet at Singapore Swimming Club. If your kid is +/-5 sec range, its prob worth training him seriously. There are many benefits to competitive swim training which I would highly recommend, regardless of timing.
But if winning is the goal, I would suggest a serious chat with the coach on his potential.

[TravelMummy]

jennie1:

Hi all,


Can anyone recommend a great swim coach for stroke correction? My 11 year old daughter is a competitive swimmer but has a few stroke niggles that are not getting fixed at squad. We are looking for 1 on 1 lessons at our condo pool but will travel if we need to. Thanks in advance!

Try Coach Fan of Olympia if she is still available. She trains at Mountbatten swimming complex and used to pffer offer stroke correction but not sure if she is t8o busy now.

[Wolfgirl]

Coach Fan does stroke correction only for her club leh.


For stroke correction, you can try Fish Tang or David of Yellow Fish.
Just google for them.
Or you can try Sea Monsta (Alex). Alex is very good.

[butterwaffles]

Can I check with experienced parents here…How do you know if your child is ready and/or suitable for competitive swimming? Other than being able to swim the 4 strokes? My boy is with Aquatic Masters for Learn-to-Swim. He enjoys the lessons very much. Now wondering if i should have him learn twice a week instead of once a week. The weekly lesson is an hour but usually by the time they get started, it’s more like a 45 min lesson and the class size is usually 6 or 7. Any views?? Forgot to add that he is 4yo and currently still doing freestyle. He has started the backstroke only last week.

[TravelMummy]

Well, as long as he is willing to train, do let nature takes its course. You will know if he has talent or not once you start him on competitions. 4yo is not a bad age to start. Most swimmers drop out later on cos they can’t take the frequency of training while balancing school work once they hit primary school or feel bored swimming up & down a pool for hours. Whatever the case, the training you out your son through will never be wasted because he will enjoy good health in exchange. So dont think to hard, just do it if logistics permit!

[bingo]

Dear parents/coaches

My girl, 9 year old this year, likes swimming and has been taking swimming lessons since K1. We are considering of converting her to competitive swimming next year since she will complete her "survivor 3" very soon. Can any parent enlighten me on the benefits of competitive swimming, it doesn’t matter (to me) if she will win a medal eventually, but she is very competitive though. I’m thinking more of using this sports to build up her character, is this too much of a time to invest? Or competitive swimming is really about COMPETITION.

Could parents give me some real life examples of your kids developing to a better character through competitive swimming.

My girls is very active, and easily distracted, but not to the extend of ADHD. As she has so many "to do" lists in her mind, she is never determined to complete a task. I hope this sports which is her second life (if you punish her by taking away her swimming lesson, she will scream like mad), can help her in her character development.

Thanks you very much for your advice

Regards
Bingo

[TravelMummy]

bingo:

Dear parents/coaches

My girl, 9 year old this year, likes swimming and has been taking swimming lessons since K1. We are considering of converting her to competitive swimming next year since she will complete her \"survivor 3\" very soon. Can any parent enlighten me on the benefits of competitive swimming, it doesn't matter (to me) if she will win a medal eventually, but she is very competitive though. I'm thinking more of using this sports to build up her character, is this too much of a time to invest? Or competitive swimming is really about COMPETITION.

Could parents give me some real life examples of your kids developing to a better character through competitive swimming.

My girls is very active, and easily distracted, but not to the extend of ADHD. As she has so many \"to do\" lists in her mind, she is never determined to complete a task. I hope this sports which is her second life (if you punish her by taking away her swimming lesson, she will scream like mad), can help her in her character development.

Thanks you very much for your advice

Regards
Bingo

Depending on the club you join, it is about both. The point about training so hard in competitive swimming is for her to win one day, hopefully. Otherwise she might as well swim for leisure. Once you are in the competitive mindset, several things will follow. To win, you need discipline, self mastery, mental strength & dedication. Parents play a HUGE part in motivating the child. As Joseph Schooling mentioned in his interview, he won't be where he is without parental support. Ultimately development of character is not about the activity but about how you approach the activity. Good luck with the journey!