Swim club lessons

[tinypop4]

Dd turned 5 last week (reception age) and loves swimming. She just goes to a local swim school where she does lessons in a group of 4 once a week. On Sat I was approached by a man from the local swim school asking if she'd like to trial with them- this would be to join their classes to prepare for squad swimming at 8 or 9.
Now being rather a crap swimmer, I don't know if this would be worthwhile for DD seeing as she enjoys what she is doing? Would they be pressurising her at 5 in preparation for squad swimming later or would it just be lessons like she's having now but potentially better ones?!

For context she has her ASA stage 3 and is in the group preparing for stage 4. She has her 100m distance badge which she can do front crawl.

Appreciate any thoughts from parents who have used the lessons at a swim club. I don't want her to miss am opportunity to improve but I'm also aware that she enjoys what she's doing now and I don't want to spoil that.

[Lollipop30]

She’s 5 and has done all that I’d say she was particularly talented. I may be wrong but that’s just in comparison to the children I see at DDs lessons.
If she enjoys it too then I’d go for it. Can you do both? Just so that if it isn’t something she enjoys you haven’t missed out on anything at her normal lessons?

[billybagpuss]

We have done the swim club thing and been very very involved. It is brilliant for bringing them on, her swimming will be in a different but very competitive league and she will enjoy it.

However, please be well aware of what you might be getting into. My God daughter was (is) very talented, at primary school age she was expected to do 8 sessions a week, so was swimming for at least 2 hours daily. At about the age of 14 she suffered massively with what I can only describe as a physical breakdown. I was always looked down upon by the club as I would only let my DD's do 2 sessions a week and absolutely no early morning ones on a school day. Kids in year 6 were swimming for an hour before school, I didn't feel that was appropriate so my kids didn't do it. I also know of many kids who were involved that have suffered physically and mentally from it: late starting menstruating etc.

Please don't let that put you off, it is brilliant, her speed, technique etc will be fantastic and all of the kids mentioned above still adore swimming and will do for life where it is the best for fitness. My kids are amazing swimmers and what they have learnt from swim club is probably the most valuable of all their skills.

[AgnesSkinner]

There is no reason why she can’t try out with the swimming club and continue with her current lessons as it’s a small group and she enjoys it. Clubs need to keep good swimmers feeding into them, club lessons are usually better geared to producing competitive swimmers than other providers.

Both my DCs were competitive swimmers - both started an early morning session at the age of 9 and enjoyed it, let the child guide you as to what is right for them. Good coaches won’t overwork young swimmers, and a good inclusive club will provide lots of benefits, especially as children get older - self-esteem, time management, healthy lifestyle etc. Most swimmers I know have gone on to teach, coach or lifeguard too - can be quite a lucrative P/T job for teens.

[Bobbybobbins]

She sounds like she definitely has a talent for it! It could be worth a trial with the back up that she could go back to normal lessons if it is too much/she is not enjoying it.

[tinypop4]

Thanks everyone! I am utterly inexperienced in competitive sport so really pleased she's showing signs of talent in something that will keep her fit.
I hadn't even thought that she could do both , that's a brilliant idea. I will let her do the trial then and see how she goes, it sounds like it could be a great discipline.
I have heard that good swimmers can spend many hours by the pool but I guess we are a few years away from that anyway.

[Raven11]

Usually when children get to choose these things it's often too late. I got scouted at primary school for tennis, I was playing competitively and training a few times a week by the end of junior school. By the age of 11, my mum removed me as she thought I needed a 'break' to be a normal child I think money had time and money had a lot to do with it and she was too embarrassed to ask for help . I must admit i've never forgiven her as I always think of what if, I could of gone to Wimbledon, probably not but I wasn't given the opportunity.

A friend of mine got scouted at a young age, by secondary school she was competing nationally and got a scholarship to a private school, she then got offered a full scholarship to study English at Havard. She stopped competing during her studies but now advocates for the Arts in Education. Our lives are so different, but she had the world at her feet because she was good a swimming.

Let her do it, they'll be days she doesn't but there's nothing better than a child who has a calling. She might be an Olympian or may just learn dedication, confidence and skill for life.

[billybagpuss]

I will ditto what Agnes said 'Good coaches won't overwork young swimmers' I think our club was a unfortunate in this area as they definitely just sidelined anyone who wasn't willing/able to put in the very long multiple sessions.

But yes plenty of teaching and lifeguarding money to be earned from it and my DD's have raised loads for charity over the years from teaching x

[Ausparent]

Good for your daughter. I am just grateful if DS can resist playing swords with the noodles for an hour

[tinypop4]

Aus
It's only swimming that she seems to have this focus and excitement. We tried ballet recently and she spent all of it twirling in her tutu and not listening to a word. I don't think dance is for her...

[tinypop4]

Well on the back of this thread I've emailed the man at the swim club to confirm that she will attend the trial in December.
Thank you for your advice