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Share your questions with Olympian Swimmer and dad Adam Peaty - £200 voucher to be won.

109 replies

EllieSmumsnet · 28/03/2023 10:36

Do you want to get your child interested in swimming? Perhaps you are unsure on how to do so? This is your opportunity to ask Olympian Adam Peaty (Speedo Swim United Ambassador) about why swimming is great for your children and how you can help make sure they don’t miss out on this vital and enjoyable life skill.

1 in 4 children leave primary school unable to swim; and it’s only set to get worse. Find out more information here and sign the petition to help children stay safe in the water.

● Anyone that shared a question below by the 02/05/2023 will be eligible for the prize draw.

● Once lucky Mumsnet User will win a £200 Amazon voucher.

● Adam will be back online in a couple of weeks to answer a selection of your questions.

About Adam:
“This isn’t just about or meeting curriculum requirements, it’s about physical and mental health and, most importantly, saving lives and safe-guarding our children.

We need the government to support campaigns and initiatives such as Speedo Swim United if we are to give ourselves the best chance of success in the future”.

About Speedo Swim United:
“Swim United is our commitment to greater equity in the water, through learn to swim programme work, partnerships and communications we are working to help ensure all children can find their joy in the water.

Currently 1 in 4 children leave primary school unable to swim, of which the majority come from socially disadvantaged or ethnic minority backgrounds. At Swim united we’re connected by the shared belief that everyone belongs in the pool.

Our programme supports 7-to-12 year olds and their families to swim, based in some of the communities we know need the most support in England.

Swim United communications feature diverse community of swimmers who stand for inclusion in swimming. Discover Swim United at Speedo UK."

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

This Q&A is now closed.

Share your questions with Olympian Swimmer and dad Adam Peaty - £200 voucher to be won.

AdamPeaty · 12/05/2023 14:18

problembottom · 04/04/2023 22:25

What’s the best way to get my four year old enthusiastic about swimming? Can you remember what you first loved about it?

The best way to get a child of any age interested in swimming is by having fun! If they don't enjoy it, it's going to be harder to keep them doing it as they get older. It's a really important skill to have, so if they aren't interested in swimming at the moment you can start by getting them more comfortable in water, so having fun during bath time at home etc. My son tells me when he wants to go swimming so I take him, but if he doesn't want to go then I never force him. I didn't start club swimming until 10 years old and it was really the local community and club environment that kept me going because I enjoyed being a part of that.

AdamPeaty · 12/05/2023 14:22

Hellocatshome · 30/03/2023 21:23

Hi Adam, I hope you are feeling ok given your announcement today. Do you think swim clubs need to focus more on the non swimming aspects or competitive swimming such as nutrition and mental health? My sons swim club is literally hours and hours of swimming with no focus on any of the other elements which you incorporate in your race clinic days.

Thank you for your kind message. I think some clubs do focus heavily on the metres swum. In AP Race Clinics we recognise there are a lot of other elements that contribute to performance we cover things like nutrition, psychology, parent support, as well as coaching on specific techniques, but our main focus is always ensuring that the kids and parents/coaches all have a memorable day that takes them into the rest of the season. We do recognise that, particularly at a young age, there can be less support on these elements outside of the pool and we are trying to fill that void with our clinics, making sure that the longevity is there for the kids, they can take away valuable skills and information on these areas to apply themselves.

AdamPeaty · 12/05/2023 14:26

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 02/04/2023 07:09

How can you keep a child motivated if they are in a swimming club and good but not yet winning any races?

The most important thing is that they're enjoying it. It's really important to be consistent and also recognise the small wins, those marginal gains. Even if it feels like 0.01%, that all adds up and contributes to the bigger wins, like winning gold in a race.

SequinsandStilettos · 12/05/2023 14:49

I would've like to have done the Paso Double because I feel it suits my character and would've been really fun. I'm not sure what we would've done for our couples choice, there was quite a lot to choose from!

Thanks for answering - I think you'd have been a fine matador. Lots of us were voting for you. All the best and for promoting swimming. Hugs, sequins x

Swimjourney · 12/05/2023 23:27

AdamPeaty · 12/05/2023 12:33

Thank you for your questions and I'm very sorry to hear your son is having a tough time with his coach. The relationship between swimmer and coach is critical for swimmer's to progress. For me, Mel has been fundamental in shaping the swimmer I am today and recognises what l need from her and when. In the first instance it's always good to talk it through with the coach but if that's not an option or it persists do seek club or swim England support or look at alternative clubs.

With your other question around your son being a late developer and young in his age group, this is where trusting the process and loving what you do is key. I didn't move to a performance club until I was 14 and there's plenty of great examples where late developers or late entrants to the sport actually end up doing better as they're able to work on their skills and technique first - for example Duncan Scott. So it's really important to stay committed, keep working hard and practice those skills - make that your super power in races - so that when puberty does come and the playing field is leveled - he'll have even more to draw upon for his races. That delay will also make the achievements feel even more special when they come, which they will as it sounds like he's putting the work in - often if you get to a high level too soon it can make you lose sight of the achievements and possibly even become disinterested so this will hopefully keep him in the sport for longer and learning to love the process which is a huge life skill.

The timings for counties, regional and nationals have all shifted around since I was a similar age to your son, I'm not quite sure what the best policy is but I'd always see being the smallest or the youngest as an opportunity to go and prove people wrong, use it as fuel for my race day energy and bring it with me to training to get my skills as good as possible and surprise the competition at meets.

Show quote history

Thank you so much Adam :) that all will mean a lot to my son! I'll show him your reply! He met you once and got your autograph and it was one of the best days of his life! (he wants muscles like yours one day!!) Thanks for your positivity and being such an inspiration for the kids!

Swimjourney · 12/05/2023 23:28

DinkyDaffodil · 17/05/2023 13:31

@EllieSmumsnet thanks for this q and a - has the voucher been awarded to a poster ? ty

MNHQ

EllieSmumsnet · 18/05/2023 14:39

DinkyDaffodil · 17/05/2023 13:31

@EllieSmumsnet thanks for this q and a - has the voucher been awarded to a poster ? ty

Hi @DinkyDaffodil Yes the voucher has been awarded.

OP posts: Experts' posts:

thimbbwebelr153 · 29/06/2023 11:59

My youngest is terrified to take his hands off the side although he like the water. Any advice

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