Any competitive swimming parents out there?

[Marypoppins19]

Advice needed!

My DD swims for a club.

Thanks Catalufa,
I'm really struggling with the pressure to train hard with a child who wants to go, by isn't appearing to train as hard as the coaches want 😥

how old is your dc?

9 almost 10

My youngest sister was a competitive swimmer for 17 years (Olympic swimmer). We are 10 years apart, I did a lot of dropping off at swimming training and going to swim meets.

My 5 year old DD seems to have inherited her aunts swimming ability and I am treading carefully.

What do need advice with?

Thank you for your reply,
I think how to manage expectations. The coaches clearly think DC has potential but DC isn't as confident and in sessions seems to not be training hard. I know they just need time and encouragement but I can see coaches are getting frustrated

Getring frustrated with a 9 year old seems a bit much. At that age my sister was swimming 5 afternoons a week of 2 hour sessions. She was very self motivated and would push herself. Her peers of the same age wern't as diciplined as her in training but some had a natural racing ability and could perform well at meets. This natural ability does wear off around puberty and the dedicated trainers were the ones that lasted.

Swimming competitively is a hard and lonely sport.

Ummmmm I'm even more confused now

Honestly competitive swimming is gruelling and mostly unrewarding. Think carefully. I know several adults that really regret their lost childhood and adolescence to Swimming galas etc. Not one of them swims for pleasure or fitness now.