4 swims a week for 7 yr old ... too much?

[TooMuchWorkToday]

They r 30 minute lessons. ASA stage 7. I'm worried about burn out and injury but DS says he's happy and wants to do this much?

Any thoughts?

[Dowdydoes]

Read the autobiography of the boy who swam the channel (at 11) and relax:)

I did prob double this at that age and injuries aren’t likely when form is good, as it should be if your coach is. Really it is simple - if he enjoys it the it’s fine.

[TooMuchWorkToday]

Thanks DowdyDoes :) makes me feel much better! :) I'll have a look at the book! Sounds good!

[ifIonlyknew]

not swimming but my youngest did 4 hours a week of quite intensive dancing from the age of 6 which I would have thought was more likely to lead to injury as obviously there is impact involved. The only thing I would say about swimming is to make sure he is doing some weight bearing exercise too (even just running around/playing other sports etc) as I have read a few times about how bone density can be affected if swimming is the only activity but I would expect that was more in relation to elite adult swimmers than kids.

[Madcats]

That is 2 hours/week? I think it is going to depend on his strength/physical maturity and personal resilience, but he ought to be fine. Yes, he might struggle for a couple of sessions but review things after, say, 3 weeks.

Some children start junior squad training aged 7 or 8 (think DD joined just before her 9th birthday). It sounds as if your teacher has found a less brutal way of gradually building up he pupil's stamina before they have to swim lengthy sets. Far better to build up stamina AND reinforce excellent technique - it will pay dividends in the long run.

Your son will probably start feeling tired after each lesson, so make sure he wears clothing that is easy to change into and go armed with some decent snacks.

Swimming endurance ought to make a massive difference to other games/running, so it is best to et your DS try lots of activities at that age.

[QueenofLouisiana]

Are they allowing time for warm up and swim down? That would prevent injury, along with precise teaching of correct technique.
DS trained from age 9, doing about 4.5hrs a week. At 13, he trains for about 10hrs in the pool and does land training in addition to that.

[minimits]

I was doing at least two hours at 7 and then about 5 by 10 and 8-10 by the time I was 12. And I have to confess I hated all other sport! I competed at county level in Butterfly and have been left with huge shoulders but no other damage! I would say two hours is fine! And as long as they’re doing a good pool side warm up and swim down!

[4point2fleet]

My 8yo does 6hrs a week in the pool.

It's damaging me but he's fine.

[WidowTwonky]

My 7 yr old DS swims 5 hrs a week. It’s fine

[BackforGood]

I think it impacts on the rest of the family as much / more than the one dc that is doing the swimming.
4 x 30mins seems a lot of traveling and changing time for merely 2 hours of swimming. If he looks like he might be becoming a serious swimmer, it might be worth looking at local clubs and seeing what they offer. My dc had hour lessons from the start.

[Bunnyjo]

2 hours is fine, but I’d maybe look for longer sessions to build stamina and also reduce travelling/changing time; 30 min sessions just seems too short.

My 7yo DS swims at our local competitive club - his sessions are 1-1.5 hrs each and he swims 3x per week.

[screamuntilthewarisover]

If they want to do it and are coping with school that’s fine.

My daughter is a swimmer and at least 3 hours a week from being 4. She is 8 now and does between 7 and 10 hours a week. She would do more if I allowed it but I think it would effect her school work. When she moves up to the next squad she will increase hours again (luckily no morning training yet)