DS seems a talented swimmer - what should I do to help him along?

[holidaybug]

DS seems to be talented at swimming - people are often commenting on his ability. I don't know for sure whether he is but he does seem a natural.

Should I be taking him to a swimming club or something for a try out? Does anyone know what they would expect at his age (he has just turned 6)?

I think they have to be stage 10+ to swim competitively. Is he in lessons just now? I think if he has lessons once a week and swims for fun too that's all they need at 6yo.

In what way does he seem talented at swimming? Does he have good stamina, is quick, good technique etc?

research you local clubs, and take him down. They love young swimmers with potential!

It's hard to describe. He seems to move quickly in the water without having to exert much effort. It also helps that he is super confident in the water, face always in, diving down, doing rolls etc. His first teacher said he didn't really need swimming lessons because he can already swim but that was a bit beside the point really! We've just moved him to a new teacher who has said he is a natural swimmer. He still needs help with his technique which is why he's having the lessons.

Sounds like he has some natural ability and water confidence and it certainly wouldnt harm to take him to a swimming club to see what they think. But is competitive swimming what he wants to do? There is a big difference from being able to do something to wanting to compete at it?

I think he would benefit from a training system as opposed to competing at the moment. We are struggling as the school doesn't do swimming at his age, the local swimming lessons weren't great and whilst he is having the private lessons, it is only half an hour a week. He needs a bit more than that and swimming with other kids would be good for him I think.

Yes it will definately give him more practise and hopefuly some high quality coaching I would start looking asap as unfortunately you may end up on a waiting list if the ones round here are anything to go by. Also some insist in a certain percentage attendance at competitions or you loose your place si shop around.

At his age he'd be too young for the competitive squads at my dc's club (they're only allowed to compete against other clubs once they turn 9)

See if any of your local clubs have a learn to swim programme attached to the main club although be prepared to wait for a place

Swimming competitively is extremely time-consuming and it's very easy to get sucked into feeling that your child has to do more and more .. Having seen swimmers go through our club for several years now the ones whose parents were convinced they were the next Michael Phelps at age 7 or 8 all gave up by early teens - conversely, the boy who's just got a swimming scholarship to a US university was told at 12 that he was never going to move up a squad if he didn't get his act together

Give him the opportunity if you can and he wants it but don't push! Dd is a very good swimmer and has a perfect body for swimming - tall, slim, strong, big feet! - but she's seen her big brother go through the elite route and is very clear it's not for her - she's swimming 4 times a week and does not want to do any more as it would stop her doing other things she loves

Research and contact local swimming clubs, some take swimmers from age 5. Swimming clubs should feed into an area Swim Team and would be able to advise if he has potential.

Hi, thanks all. I don't want to push him down a competitive route as I know what it involves and I'm not sure I'm cut out for the early starts :)
Being serious though, I don't want swimming to take over his life and potentially interfere with his schoolwork. I know that very few go onto make a living out of it and that that sort of dedication needs to come from him, not me. But I think it will do his confidence a world of good to be good at something - he's not naturally sporty so it's nice to see him excel at something.

DD1 completed Stage 10 just before she turned 7, the local swimming club coach asked if she wanted to join.

She does 2 hour long sessions a week where they swim 50 or so lengths of all 4 strokes.

She is able to compete in internal club galas, she has done 3 since joining in April, but as others have said cannot compete with other clubs until she is 9.

So she has 2 years of working her way up to competing fully.

I believe that it is great exercise and discipline anyway.

My sons mate (11) competes on a regional level. He does 3 hour sessions 4-5 times per week. He gets up at 4 am to swim between 5 and 8 to get a session in before school, if he has something after school that needs doing. Or, if he comes over to ours after school.

My son was like yours - a water baby! If he likes to compete and has that drive, then a swimming club will be good for him. If he is not a fiercely competitive child, then a swimming club will be fun for a couple of years until the other kids catch up. I have two swimmers - No. 1 son has been swimming since 5, joined a club at 8 when he reached level 10, and is still with the same club at 13, swims at county/regional standard. No2 son did the same, but has given up, now aged 10, as he was just not a natural swimmer (completely different body shape).

Best advice: look around at local clubs - you want one that will help your child develop all his strokes, but not one that pushes and pushes - he has several years before he can compete and so look for a club that has flexibility in training for the future and a good reputation for developing stroke technique.

Not all clubs are looking for morning swimmers, especially not at this age. ....our club does early mornings and evenings, the regional development squad for example has to swim 6x a week, but have 10 sessions to choose from. You need this level of flexibility so that you can do other things too - cubs, football, cricket etc. Until our kids get to 10ish, they only swim up to 3 x a week for an hour to an hour and a half. Most swim twice a week.

Swimming is a great sport, encourages discipline and encourages kids to compete as much against themselves and their personal bests, as with others. its very social. Kids who swim tend to have good time management skills - if they want to train, they have to get their homework done.

A swimming club will take over your life too, so be prepared for many hours sat by a hugely hot pool.

Just encourage to keep the love of the sport alive. Regular weekly lessons for tecnique & fun swims most weekends, too. He would be ready for proper club training around 9yo here.