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Original poster

Sports Talent Lost :(

112 replies

CoronaLonaNameChange · 22/04/2020 19:21

So DS is a talented swimmer. He's 8 and was training 4 times a week pre Corona.

Now there is NO swimming :( We can't afford to buy a pool.

He's running to keep fit, but by the time he gets back in the pool he'll have lost a year, not to mention fitness and upper body strength. He'll be a year behind :( and then he'll have to get slowly back to where he was (not expecting he'll be straight back in and take off where he left off).

So sad for him. He misses his swimming soooooo much and running just isn't the same, though he is motivated to stay fit as he's competitive and doesn't want to loose his fitness for swimming. It's not the same though.

I'm so sad for all those little kids that were doing well and will now be behind :( And it's not just swimming - gymnastics, triathlon, boxing, etc... :(

OP posts:
pocketem · 22/04/2020 19:23

763 people died today of COVID

ProseccoSupernova · 22/04/2020 19:23

To be fair, most people can’t afford a pool so they will all be in the same boat in terms of progress

BlackWhitePurple · 22/04/2020 19:25

Are there exercises he can do to work on upper body strength? Maybe one of those bars that go in doorways and you do pull-ups on them? Or just get him doing press-ups?

There's bound to be something that would at least be better than nothing.

Original poster
CoronaLonaNameChange · 22/04/2020 19:26

Pocketem - I'm aware of that! I feel deeply sad and have been personally affected by loss during this crisis. It doesn't stop me feeling sad for a little boy (and other kids) who have (hopefully temporarily) lost their world and their passion and are maybe too young to fully understand what's happening and why they can't do what they love anymore!

Thanks Prosecco, I know!! Just can't wait for them all to get back to swimming again!

OP posts:
Ginfilledcats · 22/04/2020 19:27

But won't the vast majority be in the same position? So if they all are set back a year...they'll all be the same comparatively.

BrooHaHa · 22/04/2020 19:28

Misleading title, OP.

IHaveBrilloHair · 22/04/2020 19:30

It is a shame you cant afford to buy him a pool.

Sosososotired · 22/04/2020 19:31

I understand your sadness. Both my children compete regularly at their sport, both of which are hard to practice properly at home. However all children are in the same position, they would all be behind where they should be. Yes there may be some you have a sports coach parent, their own personal pool etc, but they will be in the minority. It’s sad, but needs to be kept in perspective. There are much more important things than kids sport right now. I mean that kindly.

Applejaxx · 22/04/2020 19:31

763 people died today of COVID

Sorry, but what has this got to do with the OP's post?

AvoidingRealHumans · 22/04/2020 19:32

Definitely remortgage and get a pool.

RainMustFall · 22/04/2020 19:32

Your son won't be alone. The number of people who can buy a pool is tiny and after this is all over only a handful of children will have been able to practice during lockdown, so he won't be disadvantaged.

I know he must be sad but when he is back swimming it will hopefully soon be forgotten.

PaquitaVariation · 22/04/2020 19:34

My dc are dancers, at vocational schools, training for what is likely to be their future careers. I understand the disappointment of things not continuing but they and their schools are just doing the best they can, knowing that actually there are bigger problems at the moment! They’re not going to be behind, because everyone is in exactly the same position.

BlessYourCottonSocks · 22/04/2020 19:35

He's an 8 year old! I don't think you needed the headline 'Sports Talent lost'..

I feel a bit more sorry for those elite athletes that have spent four years training for the Olympics, which are hardly likely to now go ahead this year.

For some that's probably cost them what may be their last or only chance of an Olympic medal.

I can't get stirred up about the loss of 'training' time for primary school kids.

GiantPinesAhem · 22/04/2020 19:36

I'm concerned that my 11 and 7 year olds who'd only just managed to get somewhere with swimming (special needs, one nearly completed stage one, one nearly completed stage two- both had lessons since age 4) will be right back at square one.

It's perfectly possible to be sad about more than one thing at once, ignore self righteous people that don't have any empathy x

whojamaflip · 22/04/2020 19:38

All those in sports like gymnastics, swimming etc are in the same situation and all will have to work to get back to where they were pre lockdown.

My dd is at national level in her sport and this couldn't have come at a worse time but she's doing her conditioning workouts and running to keep her stamina levels up - she's also very aware she has months ahead of her of hard work to regain her skills etc when she does eventually go back to training. She's very philosophical about it and says that everyone will have to do the same. It's not ideal but it's also not the end of the world.

It's also been interesting talking to mums of some of the kids she competes against who have decided that they are going to retire as they have discovered they are enjoying not training and are not wanting to go back to the same level of commitment.

Quartz2208 · 22/04/2020 19:39

Um actually we dont know how many people died today to be pedantic. 763 deaths were reported today.

OP its tough but remember everyone is in the same boat, he will have to build up strength again but he wont be behind

Humina · 22/04/2020 19:42

My friend bought a large garden above ground pool and attached a bungee rope somewhere so she's swimming on the spot. Is that an option?

blue25 · 22/04/2020 19:42

More important things to worry about I’m afraid. Surely most people can’t afford a pool anyway?

Humina · 22/04/2020 19:43

Just googled, it was a bungee swim belt.

chuffincold · 22/04/2020 19:43

How about some swim paddles for dry training?
www.sport-thieme.co.uk/Swimming/Training_Equipment/Pulling_games/art=2130822
As others have said, everyone's going to be in the same boat but try to keep stamina by doing other activities, maintain upper body and core strength through fun exercise.

bloodywhitecat · 22/04/2020 19:47

It's not a talent lost, it really isn't, youngsters the world over are in exactly the same boat as your son.

Poppi89 · 22/04/2020 19:52

Why don't you start a go fund me page and ask for donations so you can get an indoor pool fitted Hmm

lovebeingmum · 22/04/2020 19:53

Sports talent lost 😂😂at the age of eight 😂😂😂😂

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 22/04/2020 19:55

Most talented people haven't found their talent at 8. There will be DC coming up through the stages who could well be competing with him in their teens- so try to relax. The kids learning at the moment will have the bigger skill loss than the accomplished swimmers.

Encourage him to keep his fitness up- running and cycling could well open doors to triathlon in a few years!

Whenwillthisbeover · 22/04/2020 19:56

Seriously?