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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Too much swimming?

43 replies

AssemblySquare · 29/01/2022 18:24

My DD is 9. Just joined a new swimming club and the sessions are 5-7pm on Saturday and 3-5pm on Sunday. We’re used to a 30 min session once a week. She’s v good, not amazing, and not yet at competition standard.

My DH thinks it’s too much… I think if she likes it she should go for it! Is 4 hours over 2 days too much??

OP posts:

Jojobees · 29/01/2022 18:25

My son is 11 and swims competitively and trains for 11.5hrs a week in the water and 2 on land....
It’s not too much at all if she’s going to compete soon.

SniffMyFeet · 29/01/2022 18:26

What does your daughter think? I think it's fine but only if she really enjoys it

Rumplestrumpet · 29/01/2022 18:27

I think give it a go and see - you'll be able to tell pretty quickly if it's just too much for her.

2reefsin30knots · 29/01/2022 18:28

2 hour sessions are tough for newbies, however she will soon adapt. Part of the time will probably be spent on starts and turns, so not all ploughing.

The hours will increase very quickly though, so the whole family does need to be on board.

Vbree · 29/01/2022 18:28

If she enjoys it I don't see the problem.

Impier · 29/01/2022 18:29

I think it can become so consuming to the detriment of the children (and the family as a whole). I think it's better for then to do a range of activities.

tumpymummy · 29/01/2022 18:32

Swimming clubs involve a lot of swimming, that's how swimmers improve and keep fit. My daughter swam in one for a few years. It meant going 2 or 3 times a week. We did it for a few years and she got to swim in several competitions. She gave up when they suggested she attend early morning swim sessions before school. If your daughter enjoys it, go for it, being a strong swimmer is a great life skill. My daughter (age 17) now picks up work easily as lifeguard when not at college.

Holothane · 29/01/2022 18:35

When I could go swimming I swam twice a week for an hour I loved it, helped me with arthritis pain I’m a slow swimmer but built up to 32 lengths was so proud and happy.

Goldbar · 29/01/2022 18:45

I think 4 hours per week is fine, but that's a large chunk of both weekend days taken up for swimming.

Quornflakegirl · 29/01/2022 18:48

My sister swam 7.5 hours a week at 9 and this moved to 14 hours a week by 11 and a massive 25 hours a week during heavy training when she moved to international level as a teenager. Competitive swimming is not for the faint at heart.

GiftWrappingLikeItsXmasEve · 29/01/2022 18:53

Mine don’t swim but I know a few who are in a swimming clubs and they did similar or more at primary age but lot more at secondary age, swimming before school etc

I don’t think it’s a lot.

Original poster

AssemblySquare · 29/01/2022 18:54

Wow! Some of these hours put ours in perspective!! This will be the first weekend of 2 whole sessions… it’s a big change in lifestyle.

Have to say before school sessions sounds brutal!! But I know that to get really good involves dedication. This is our first sporty child - the older two aren’t at all

OP posts:

Quornflakegirl · 29/01/2022 18:57

It really does teach discipline. My sister won a sports scholarship to a top US university, she completed her undergraduate and a masters degree and it didn’t cost a single penny thanks to her swimming. She also managed to be on the Dean’s honour roll all while swimming those long hours!

MananaTomorrow · 29/01/2022 19:04

My niece has been swimming competitively for years.
2 sessions of 2 hours is just the start if she wants to actually swim competitively. They usually end up swimming everyday, often very early in the am too.

That’s why I stir my own ds away from swimming!

2reefsin30knots · 29/01/2022 19:12

Yes, I took my DS out of swimming at 9yo when it started to look like he might be quite good! I didn't want the lifestyle for him.

He does another sport which is also a big family commitment, but at least it is only generally weekends so we can live a normal life during the week.

WonderfulYou · 29/01/2022 19:28

I think that’s way too much for someone who’s not used to it.
It also means you can’t go anywhere further afield for the day as you need to get back for swimming.

Is there no way to do just one day? And then increase it after a few months if she wants to.
Else I think it’s quite a quick way to make her hate swimming.

DuesToTheDirt · 29/01/2022 19:39

Swim clubs can be full on. My DDs were both in one and doing about 3 sessions a week at that age, maybe 1-1.5 hrs each session, I don't remember.

DD1 got to the point of moving up a level at the same time she was starting secondary, and I made her have a break then as it was six days a week, with some of them starting at 6am before school (which was on the other side of town). I said if she wanted to restart in a few months she could give it a go but she didn't go back.

Wnkingawalrus · 29/01/2022 19:47

He does another sport which is also a big family commitment, but at least it is only generally weekends so we can live a normal life during the week.

I think I’d be the opposite. Happy to do the early starts in the week but wouldn’t want my whole weekend taken over. Just goes to show you can never please all the parents with these things!

5-7pm on a Saturday is very anti social. Will make it hard to do anything on a Saturday evening by the time you’ve got home.

2reefsin30knots · 29/01/2022 19:54

@Wnkingawalrus swimming takes the weekends ASWELL!

Hellocatshome · 29/01/2022 20:00

Thats a small amount if time for a club swimmer and probably a good amount for her age. My swimmer was doing 10hrs plus land training at 9. I would say though that if you are finding the commitment and drain on your family time tough at this age get out before your swimmer gets too sucked in. It will take over your life and your bank balance. The girls in DS's squad start doing before school training at 11, they boys don't start that until later. My DS is regional standard nothing spectacular and I worked out the other day his training and gala fees come to at least £2500 per year before you add in accommodation and equipment costs etc.

DuesToTheDirt · 29/01/2022 20:01

Oh, and swimming galas are brutal. You might end up at one allweekend while your child swims up and down for 2 minutes, 4 times, once on Saturday am, then on Sat pm, then Sun am, then Sun pm, while you are watching faithfully and fainting with the steamy heat at the pool.

2reefsin30knots · 29/01/2022 20:01

I do know as well is two words btw, I was just washed away for a moment by the life consuming nature of swimming.

SouthOfFrance · 29/01/2022 20:05

I'd say think about what you and your child want to get out of it.

Eg Are you wanting something to keep fit, or to instill discipline, or to try and do it professionally/the Olympics, to keep them out of trouble in their teenage years, because they get a lot of joy from it right now.

Once you've identified why YOU want them to do it, and why THEY want to do it, then it will help you decide how to proceed

girlmom21 · 29/01/2022 20:07

You've given us your thoughts and your husbands thoughts.
What does your daughter think?

Twasacceptableinthe80s · 29/01/2022 20:12

As a child I used to train for swimming around 25 hours a week. I loved it and still am really close - 30+ years on - with many of my clubmates. However, I honestly do not know how my parents did it and, somewhat selfishly, I really don’t think I could make those sort of sacrifices myself.

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