Swimming is an Investment
From News for Swim Parents
Published by The American Swimming Coaches Association
5101 NW 21 Ave., Suite 200
Fort Lauderdale FL 33309
With time at a premium in the two-career family, many parents are now
asking "Is it the sacrifice and expense of joining an age group program
worth it?" Here are some thoughts on why it is from Coach Cindy
Anderson, head age group coach of the Reno Aquatic Club in Reno, Nevada.
"Age group swimming is much more than just swimming back and forth, day
in and day out - the occasional swim meet and winning ribbon. Of course
the swimmer gains from the physical activity of swimming, by becoming
more fit...and there is involvement in an after-school activity at a
time when working parents can't be with their kids. But age group
swimming is an investment in the health, fitness, and overall growth and
development of the youngster.
From the physical standpoint, swimming helps improve cardiovascular
fitness, strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular coordination. In
addition, swimming is a lifelong fitness activity that is relatively
easy to pursue, low in injury risk, and helps reduce stress. It can be
enjoyed recreationally long after it has ceased competitively.
Beyond the physical benefits, swimming in both practice and meets
contributes greatly to the psychological and emotional development of
the young athlete. As an activity, swimming requires the development of
specific and complex motor patterns. Swimming well requires not only
hard physical work, but also intelligent application of learned skills
and the ability to THINK while performing. From concentration on
performing stroke skills correctly to executing race strategies, the
athlete learns early to concentrate and perform under pressure. In
addition nutrition education is an ongoing and essential part of the
athlete's overall development and success.
Age group swimming also requires consistent dedication, discipline and
long-term commitment to goals, learning the habit of persistent
application of lifestyle adaptations for goal achievement. Young
swimmers also learn to accept success and failure with equal grace. In
life as in swimming, one often fails several times on the way to a
success, and it is an essential and difficult life-lesson to learn. The
ups and downs of competition and training expose the young athlete to
the realities of success and failure and force them to deal with the
living experience.
Age group swimming, both directly and indirectly, teaches the athlete to
develop: goal-setting strategies, time management skills, relaxation and
imagery techniques, positive attitudes, and generally enhances the
athletes overall self-image. Competitive swimming is both social and
fun, and by virtue of the athletic nature of the activity, reinforces
positive social values and beliefs. Athletes are taught to value their
hard work in training and steer clear of drug and alcohol abuses.
To be an athlete is a very special and wonderful thing. To be a
competitive swimmer is special, wonderful, and difficult; but the
benefits of the persistent dedication and application of efforts, along
with the benefits of facing and dealing with the emotional and
psychological experiences associated with the demands of training and
competing for success, are well worth whatever personal and/or financial
investments are required.
Age group swimming is much more than it first appears.
