Pros/cons of quitting in HS

[Anonymous]

DD still swims year round club and enjoys it but I think that is in key part because she stopped maxing out all the practices when she hit HS so she could do other stuff too.

She treads water basically Aug - Oct during band season by just doing about 3 practices a week. She doesn’t do the weight training sessions anytime because she is not out of school early enough. If a big school event, band event or HS swim event happens until really late then she misses the early weekend swim day. It means she is not as top notch a swimmer as she could be but it also means she has a life beyond the pool.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like there are several of us parents of high level HS kids who have quit or heavily considering it. Over the years I've noticed the kids this age quit and wondered what it was. The early mornings, lack of sleep, lack of time to socialize, intense training and being worn out etc are all a factor. But for my swimming it's the demands of a heavy junior course load that will be what puts them over the edge. If the coach isn't forgiving of them missing practices to study then it's over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to hijack, but as a parent of an high level 12 U swimmer (think PVS Champs A finalist in multiple events), what do you all think has caused your kids to get to the point where they want to give up the sport? My swimmer right now wants to swim D1, and is on that trajectory, but I’m curious to know from others in that situation what changed their kids’ mindset?

OP here. My kid was all in for 5+ years. Swam NCSAs, Zones, Futures, etc. Most of her life revolved around the sport, including social life. But intensity and frequency of training in first year of HS made her rethink. As a PP described, kids at this level miss out on a lot of other activities because they have to go to bed early and wake up early and swim every day after school. I just think that routine for 3 more years was not what she wanted anymore.

I also think that they realize that they are not really that fast in the scheme of things and that even if they can be recruited for a D1 school, it may not be the school they really want to attend. Not to mention, adding on 4 more years of the grind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to hijack, but as a parent of an high level 12 U swimmer (think PVS Champs A finalist in multiple events), what do you all think has caused your kids to get to the point where they want to give up the sport? My swimmer right now wants to swim D1, and is on that trajectory, but I’m curious to know from others in that situation what changed their kids’ mindset?

Parent of a 13 year old club swimmer here. What are the pros and cons of swimming in HS? Seems like a lot to juggle between November and February right in the thick of the SC season in the lead up to champs. If his goal to swim in college (could be D3), do college coaches/teams care/pay attention to your HS times?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to hijack, but as a parent of an high level 12 U swimmer (think PVS Champs A finalist in multiple events), what do you all think has caused your kids to get to the point where they want to give up the sport? My swimmer right now wants to swim D1, and is on that trajectory, but I’m curious to know from others in that situation what changed their kids’ mindset?

Parent of a 13 year old club swimmer here. What are the pros and cons of swimming in HS? Seems like a lot to juggle between November and February right in the thick of the SC season in the lead up to champs. If his goal to swim in college (could be D3), do college coaches/teams care/pay attention to your HS times?

HS swim is fun and, yes, the times from the big meets count (Metros, State champs, etc.). Many club swimmers do their best times at these meets.

[Anonymous]

Did any parents of high level swimmers who quit have irrational worries or anxiety about it? Like, worries that your swimmer would lose all the obvious physical benefits of the sport such as fitness? Or the benefits of having a structured schedule that minimized potentially more risky activities like parties, etc.? How much did you guide your ex swimmer through the transition? What's ok to say and what's not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to hijack, but as a parent of an high level 12 U swimmer (think PVS Champs A finalist in multiple events), what do you all think has caused your kids to get to the point where they want to give up the sport? My swimmer right now wants to swim D1, and is on that trajectory, but I’m curious to know from others in that situation what changed their kids’ mindset?

Parent of a 13 year old club swimmer here. What are the pros and cons of swimming in HS? Seems like a lot to juggle between November and February right in the thick of the SC season in the lead up to champs. If his goal to swim in college (could be D3), do college coaches/teams care/pay attention to your HS times?

HS swim is totally different. It is a lot more fun because it is a team event not just an individual one. Plus it has relays which are always fun. And silly traditions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did any parents of high level swimmers who quit have irrational worries or anxiety about it? Like, worries that your swimmer would lose all the obvious physical benefits of the sport such as fitness? Or the benefits of having a structured schedule that minimized potentially more risky activities like parties, etc.? How much did you guide your ex swimmer through the transition? What's ok to say and what's not?

I think this is very common. Often when a kid finally tells parent they want to quit, they've been thinking about it for a long time, etc., so it seems easy for the kid. But it's really hard on the parent to come to terms with. Don't feel bad about being anxious, etc. Totally normal, but you will adjust. And you'll feel better once you see your kid getting more sleep, trying new things, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to hijack, but as a parent of an high level 12 U swimmer (think PVS Champs A finalist in multiple events), what do you all think has caused your kids to get to the point where they want to give up the sport? My swimmer right now wants to swim D1, and is on that trajectory, but I’m curious to know from others in that situation what changed their kids’ mindset?

OP here. My kid was all in for 5+ years. Swam NCSAs, Zones, Futures, etc. Most of her life revolved around the sport, including social life. But intensity and frequency of training in first year of HS made her rethink. As a PP described, kids at this level miss out on a lot of other activities because they have to go to bed early and wake up early and swim every day after school. I just think that routine for 3 more years was not what she wanted anymore.

Do you mind sharing what her training schedule was?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to hijack, but as a parent of an high level 12 U swimmer (think PVS Champs A finalist in multiple events), what do you all think has caused your kids to get to the point where they want to give up the sport? My swimmer right now wants to swim D1, and is on that trajectory, but I’m curious to know from others in that situation what changed their kids’ mindset?

OP here. My kid was all in for 5+ years. Swam NCSAs, Zones, Futures, etc. Most of her life revolved around the sport, including social life. But intensity and frequency of training in first year of HS made her rethink. As a PP described, kids at this level miss out on a lot of other activities because they have to go to bed early and wake up early and swim every day after school. I just think that routine for 3 more years was not what she wanted anymore.

Do you mind sharing what her training schedule was?

Also curious about this. And how old she was when she started year round swim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to hijack, but as a parent of an high level 12 U swimmer (think PVS Champs A finalist in multiple events), what do you all think has caused your kids to get to the point where they want to give up the sport? My swimmer right now wants to swim D1, and is on that trajectory, but I’m curious to know from others in that situation what changed their kids’ mindset?

Parent of a 13 year old club swimmer here. What are the pros and cons of swimming in HS? Seems like a lot to juggle between November and February right in the thick of the SC season in the lead up to champs. If his goal to swim in college (could be D3), do college coaches/teams care/pay attention to your HS times?

It can be a lot in January and February with so many meets, but on one hand the racing experience can be good since they generally don't race so often. HS meets are also much less swimming than club meets with entry limits and such. It also depends a bit on what level of club swimming the kid is doing. The highest level in our club, kids were practicing Saturday mornings before some meets, but that is not the case for every group.

The majority of HS teams around here (I cannot speak to VA expectations, but I'm referring to DC/MD public and private) do not expect club swimmers to practice with HS teams. There are different rules for MCPS teams vs. private school coaches, but in general, the kids are not swimming extra for HS coaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to hijack, but as a parent of an high level 12 U swimmer (think PVS Champs A finalist in multiple events), what do you all think has caused your kids to get to the point where they want to give up the sport? My swimmer right now wants to swim D1, and is on that trajectory, but I’m curious to know from others in that situation what changed their kids’ mindset?

OP here. My kid was all in for 5+ years. Swam NCSAs, Zones, Futures, etc. Most of her life revolved around the sport, including social life. But intensity and frequency of training in first year of HS made her rethink. As a PP described, kids at this level miss out on a lot of other activities because they have to go to bed early and wake up early and swim every day after school. I just think that routine for 3 more years was not what she wanted anymore.

Do you mind sharing what her training schedule was?

Also curious about this. And how old she was when she started year round swim.

DP but I am happy to outline our experience, which I will openly say was RMSC because each club has some differences.

Started club swimming in 1st grade (minis), 1h 2 evenings per week.
Advanced juniors at 9, 2 evenings, 1 weekend morning. I think these practices were 1:15 during the week, 1:30 for the weekend. Regularly continued at least one other sport/activity - soccer, basketball, chess club, etc.
Commitment picked up for advanced MS group - 4 weekday evenings (~2h), 1 weekend morning (2.5h). There was an early morning weekday available, but optional. Kids went to that practice if they missed a weeknight in general. My kids continued other sports, sometimes travel level, through MS. Our coaches were very supportive of this.

When they get to HS, the most advance group (NTG) trains every day after school (~2.5h) and Saturday mornings (2.5-3h). They are also expected to swim 1-2 early mornings before school for a total of 7-8 swims per week.
The next group (Advanced Seniors) has a similar schedule, with slightly shorter practices, and about 6 swims expected per week.
There is also a less intense group (Seniors) where kids swim fewer, shorter practices with a lot of flexibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to hijack, but as a parent of an high level 12 U swimmer (think PVS Champs A finalist in multiple events), what do you all think has caused your kids to get to the point where they want to give up the sport? My swimmer right now wants to swim D1, and is on that trajectory, but I’m curious to know from others in that situation what changed their kids’ mindset?

OP here. My kid was all in for 5+ years. Swam NCSAs, Zones, Futures, etc. Most of her life revolved around the sport, including social life. But intensity and frequency of training in first year of HS made her rethink. As a PP described, kids at this level miss out on a lot of other activities because they have to go to bed early and wake up early and swim every day after school. I just think that routine for 3 more years was not what she wanted anymore.

Do you mind sharing what her training schedule was?

Also curious about this. And how old she was when she started year round swim.

DP but I am happy to outline our experience, which I will openly say was RMSC because each club has some differences.

Started club swimming in 1st grade (minis), 1h 2 evenings per week.
Advanced juniors at 9, 2 evenings, 1 weekend morning. I think these practices were 1:15 during the week, 1:30 for the weekend. Regularly continued at least one other sport/activity - soccer, basketball, chess club, etc.
Commitment picked up for advanced MS group - 4 weekday evenings (~2h), 1 weekend morning (2.5h). There was an early morning weekday available, but optional. Kids went to that practice if they missed a weeknight in general. My kids continued other sports, sometimes travel level, through MS. Our coaches were very supportive of this.

When they get to HS, the most advance group (NTG) trains every day after school (~2.5h) and Saturday mornings (2.5-3h). They are also expected to swim 1-2 early mornings before school for a total of 7-8 swims per week.
The next group (Advanced Seniors) has a similar schedule, with slightly shorter practices, and about 6 swims expected per week.
There is also a less intense group (Seniors) where kids swim fewer, shorter practices with a lot of flexibility.

OP here. We were same club, so same training schedule as this poster outlines in such good detail. DD started at AdJ level as a 9 and was in most advanced training group/schedule in first year of HS.

[Anonymous]

Not uncommon for kids to burnout of year-round swimming and quit in high school.

The training is a time-consuming grind and usually involves getting up before dawn several days a week. This does not come naturally to the teenage body!

On top of that, in high school academics get harder and more time consuming and social opportunities (and pressures) multiply and magnify. In short, there are many more things competing for their time, and many of them are more appealing than a grueling training regimen.

At 12 they are happy to do year round because they see great improvement in their times and it makes for a more successful summer swim season at their community pool. As high school-age kids their times are likely to flatline or even get worse (bodies change in puberty). And summer swim doesn't have the pull it once did because by the high school years most of their friends who aren't super serious swimmers have dropped off the summer team and moved on to other things. Eyeball your summer team at a meet and you'll see that the vast majority of the kids are 12 and unders.

[Anonymous]

From what I understand there are teams that require far fewer hours per week, at all levels. They don’t produce nearly as many top swimmers, but I wonder if this is the right path to avoid burnout. These more intense teams seem to require so much of these kids who already have so many demands on them. Why is swim culture like this?