Should DD9 not be going to these meets?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It is annoying when a slow swimmer is in a long race that they clearly don’t belong in….but I blame the coaches not the parents when that happens

Who are you to judge where they don't belong? If they're legal and either meet a minimum time standard or no prior time is required, then they belong there if the coach thinks they're ready. Instead of being a horrible person in the stands, cheer on that kid who is clearly challenging themselves doing something hard. Celebrate the achievement and the effort.

The real experts celebrate love of sport and physical activity

+1. I wonder if these PPs would be annoyed by elderly people who swim Masters? There are 90+ year olds swimming in meets. Everyone claps when they finish because everyone there understands what this is really about. Shame on these parents who think they can gatekeep a sport and be snobby about kids who swim slower. Swimming isn’t just for the faster kids. You signed your kid up for a meet and you know they are long. Deal with it or find another sport.

Or swimming could try to improve as a sport by not having meets that are 4 hours long. I love that there are clubs for all levels of swimmers so that any kid that loves the sport can compete regardless of whether they are fast. I really don’t mind when a kid takes a while to finish one of the 50s or a 100 free/IM, those are basic events for kids to do. But I do get frustrated by the coaches that throw a kid who struggles to complete a 50 fly into the 100 fly, etc. Kids should have to demonstrate an ability to complete an event, other than the basic ones, within a reasonable time before they get entered in that event in a meet.

News flash: no one cares about your opinions on how the sport of swimming could be improved. They are designed for the be as inclusive as possible for the swimmers, not the convenience of the parents. No one is forcing you to stay at the meet the entire time if it’s so painful for you. You can drop a kid off and come back later, or send them with a trusted family of a teammate. I remember going to big meets where there were 20 heats of 500 free. You think my parents sat through that? Nope. And don’t tell yourself that your kids absolutely need you to be there to watch every single race. They don’t. That’s something over involved parents tell themselves to justify their behavior. Swimming is for the participants, not the parents.

How dare someone express an opinion on the sport of swimming on a *checks notes* message board thread about swimming. If you’re going to attempt snark at least try to be clever. Inclusivity is not being threatened by not allowing kids to swim in individual events they are not ready for. But I know it’s super important that if back in the day people had to sit through interminable meets, people still need to experience that. Sorry that your coach back in the day sucked and made you sit through 20 heats of the 500 free before your first swim. My kid’s coach gives them an appropriate arrival time in that situation.

I was there to swim the 500, genius. Keep complaining though. I’m sure the USA swimming leadership is monitoring this thread and will get right on making these reforms. Have you tried calling the manager?

Given how sensitive some of these reactions are, PP may be speaking directly to those who sign their kids up for events out of their depth before those kids are ready. If even one of these parents reconsiders the event choices next time, she may be helping to fix things a few minutes at a time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is annoying when a slow swimmer is in a long race that they clearly don’t belong in….but I blame the coaches not the parents when that happens

Who are you to judge where they don't belong? If they're legal and either meet a minimum time standard or no prior time is required, then they belong there if the coach thinks they're ready. Instead of being a horrible person in the stands, cheer on that kid who is clearly challenging themselves doing something hard. Celebrate the achievement and the effort.

The real experts celebrate love of sport and physical activity

+1. I wonder if these PPs would be annoyed by elderly people who swim Masters? There are 90+ year olds swimming in meets. Everyone claps when they finish because everyone there understands what this is really about. Shame on these parents who think they can gatekeep a sport and be snobby about kids who swim slower. Swimming isn’t just for the faster kids. You signed your kid up for a meet and you know they are long. Deal with it or find another sport.

Or swimming could try to improve as a sport by not having meets that are 4 hours long. I love that there are clubs for all levels of swimmers so that any kid that loves the sport can compete regardless of whether they are fast. I really don’t mind when a kid takes a while to finish one of the 50s or a 100 free/IM, those are basic events for kids to do. But I do get frustrated by the coaches that throw a kid who struggles to complete a 50 fly into the 100 fly, etc. Kids should have to demonstrate an ability to complete an event, other than the basic ones, within a reasonable time before they get entered in that event in a meet.

News flash: no one cares about your opinions on how the sport of swimming could be improved. They are designed for the be as inclusive as possible for the swimmers, not the convenience of the parents. No one is forcing you to stay at the meet the entire time if it’s so painful for you. You can drop a kid off and come back later, or send them with a trusted family of a teammate. I remember going to big meets where there were 20 heats of 500 free. You think my parents sat through that? Nope. And don’t tell yourself that your kids absolutely need you to be there to watch every single race. They don’t. That’s something over involved parents tell themselves to justify their behavior. Swimming is for the participants, not the parents.

How dare someone express an opinion on the sport of swimming on a *checks notes* message board thread about swimming. If you’re going to attempt snark at least try to be clever. Inclusivity is not being threatened by not allowing kids to swim in individual events they are not ready for. But I know it’s super important that if back in the day people had to sit through interminable meets, people still need to experience that. Sorry that your coach back in the day sucked and made you sit through 20 heats of the 500 free before your first swim. My kid’s coach gives them an appropriate arrival time in that situation.

I was there to swim the 500, genius. Keep complaining though. I’m sure the USA swimming leadership is monitoring this thread and will get right on making these reforms. Have you tried calling the manager?

You got burned, just move on. I’m pretty sure the standard for posting on DCUM isn’t that people in authority need to be reading and considering posts. Pretending that swimming and swim meets in particular are perfect and not in need of any adjustments is absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, ignore the nasty parents and let her have fun. You will always have those kinds of parents. Perfectly fine to be the slowest and do it for exercise and because she enjoys swimming. Some parents get really nasty and competitive. Its bizarre. She's doing great.

+1,000. I have a slow swimmer who loves to swim. Coaches on our team are supportive of every swimmer improving and reaching their goals. Ignore the parents. Or, make them feel like sh*t and call them out on their jerk behavior. "Um, that's my child. Any other unsportsmanlike thing you'd like to say and insult a child?"

In any event, someone has to finish last in everything always. Good for you supporting your daughter in something she loves.

Yup, I would have had a lot of fun making things SUPER awkward for that parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is annoying when a slow swimmer is in a long race that they clearly don’t belong in….but I blame the coaches not the parents when that happens

Who are you to judge where they don't belong? If they're legal and either meet a minimum time standard or no prior time is required, then they belong there if the coach thinks they're ready. Instead of being a horrible person in the stands, cheer on that kid who is clearly challenging themselves doing something hard. Celebrate the achievement and the effort.

The real experts celebrate love of sport and physical activity

+1. I wonder if these PPs would be annoyed by elderly people who swim Masters? There are 90+ year olds swimming in meets. Everyone claps when they finish because everyone there understands what this is really about. Shame on these parents who think they can gatekeep a sport and be snobby about kids who swim slower. Swimming isn’t just for the faster kids. You signed your kid up for a meet and you know they are long. Deal with it or find another sport.

Or swimming could try to improve as a sport by not having meets that are 4 hours long. I love that there are clubs for all levels of swimmers so that any kid that loves the sport can compete regardless of whether they are fast. I really don’t mind when a kid takes a while to finish one of the 50s or a 100 free/IM, those are basic events for kids to do. But I do get frustrated by the coaches that throw a kid who struggles to complete a 50 fly into the 100 fly, etc. Kids should have to demonstrate an ability to complete an event, other than the basic ones, within a reasonable time before they get entered in that event in a meet.

News flash: no one cares about your opinions on how the sport of swimming could be improved. They are designed for the be as inclusive as possible for the swimmers, not the convenience of the parents. No one is forcing you to stay at the meet the entire time if it’s so painful for you. You can drop a kid off and come back later, or send them with a trusted family of a teammate. I remember going to big meets where there were 20 heats of 500 free. You think my parents sat through that? Nope. And don’t tell yourself that your kids absolutely need you to be there to watch every single race. They don’t. That’s something over involved parents tell themselves to justify their behavior. Swimming is for the participants, not the parents.

How dare someone express an opinion on the sport of swimming on a *checks notes* message board thread about swimming. If you’re going to attempt snark at least try to be clever. Inclusivity is not being threatened by not allowing kids to swim in individual events they are not ready for. But I know it’s super important that if back in the day people had to sit through interminable meets, people still need to experience that. Sorry that your coach back in the day sucked and made you sit through 20 heats of the 500 free before your first swim. My kid’s coach gives them an appropriate arrival time in that situation.

I was there to swim the 500, genius. Keep complaining though. I’m sure the USA swimming leadership is monitoring this thread and will get right on making these reforms. Have you tried calling the manager?

You got burned, just move on. I’m pretty sure the standard for posting on DCUM isn’t that people in authority need to be reading and considering posts. Pretending that swimming and swim meets in particular are perfect and not in need of any adjustments is absurd.

You act like you’re the first person to ever observe that swim meets are long. Those in charge of the sport have decided that letting more kids swim more events is worth the tradeoff. Why you think you have made some novel insight is beyond me. This is the sport. Take it or leave it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is annoying when a slow swimmer is in a long race that they clearly don’t belong in….but I blame the coaches not the parents when that happens

Who are you to judge where they don't belong? If they're legal and either meet a minimum time standard or no prior time is required, then they belong there if the coach thinks they're ready. Instead of being a horrible person in the stands, cheer on that kid who is clearly challenging themselves doing something hard. Celebrate the achievement and the effort.

The real experts celebrate love of sport and physical activity

+1. I wonder if these PPs would be annoyed by elderly people who swim Masters? There are 90+ year olds swimming in meets. Everyone claps when they finish because everyone there understands what this is really about. Shame on these parents who think they can gatekeep a sport and be snobby about kids who swim slower. Swimming isn’t just for the faster kids. You signed your kid up for a meet and you know they are long. Deal with it or find another sport.

Or swimming could try to improve as a sport by not having meets that are 4 hours long. I love that there are clubs for all levels of swimmers so that any kid that loves the sport can compete regardless of whether they are fast. I really don’t mind when a kid takes a while to finish one of the 50s or a 100 free/IM, those are basic events for kids to do. But I do get frustrated by the coaches that throw a kid who struggles to complete a 50 fly into the 100 fly, etc. Kids should have to demonstrate an ability to complete an event, other than the basic ones, within a reasonable time before they get entered in that event in a meet.

News flash: no one cares about your opinions on how the sport of swimming could be improved. They are designed for the be as inclusive as possible for the swimmers, not the convenience of the parents. No one is forcing you to stay at the meet the entire time if it’s so painful for you. You can drop a kid off and come back later, or send them with a trusted family of a teammate. I remember going to big meets where there were 20 heats of 500 free. You think my parents sat through that? Nope. And don’t tell yourself that your kids absolutely need you to be there to watch every single race. They don’t. That’s something over involved parents tell themselves to justify their behavior. Swimming is for the participants, not the parents.

How dare someone express an opinion on the sport of swimming on a *checks notes* message board thread about swimming. If you’re going to attempt snark at least try to be clever. Inclusivity is not being threatened by not allowing kids to swim in individual events they are not ready for. But I know it’s super important that if back in the day people had to sit through interminable meets, people still need to experience that. Sorry that your coach back in the day sucked and made you sit through 20 heats of the 500 free before your first swim. My kid’s coach gives them an appropriate arrival time in that situation.

I was there to swim the 500, genius. Keep complaining though. I’m sure the USA swimming leadership is monitoring this thread and will get right on making these reforms. Have you tried calling the manager?

You got burned, just move on. I’m pretty sure the standard for posting on DCUM isn’t that people in authority need to be reading and considering posts. Pretending that swimming and swim meets in particular are perfect and not in need of any adjustments is absurd.

You act like you’re the first person to ever observe that swim meets are long. Those in charge of the sport have decided that letting more kids swim more events is worth the tradeoff. Why you think you have made some novel insight is beyond me. This is the sport. Take it or leave it.

You mean they can collect more in meet fees the more events kids swim. Such an altruistic reason to just keep the status quo. You really dug deep for the tiresome “this is the way it’s always been, take it or leave it” argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is annoying when a slow swimmer is in a long race that they clearly don’t belong in….but I blame the coaches not the parents when that happens

Who are you to judge where they don't belong? If they're legal and either meet a minimum time standard or no prior time is required, then they belong there if the coach thinks they're ready. Instead of being a horrible person in the stands, cheer on that kid who is clearly challenging themselves doing something hard. Celebrate the achievement and the effort.

The real experts celebrate love of sport and physical activity

+1. I wonder if these PPs would be annoyed by elderly people who swim Masters? There are 90+ year olds swimming in meets. Everyone claps when they finish because everyone there understands what this is really about. Shame on these parents who think they can gatekeep a sport and be snobby about kids who swim slower. Swimming isn’t just for the faster kids. You signed your kid up for a meet and you know they are long. Deal with it or find another sport.

Or swimming could try to improve as a sport by not having meets that are 4 hours long. I love that there are clubs for all levels of swimmers so that any kid that loves the sport can compete regardless of whether they are fast. I really don’t mind when a kid takes a while to finish one of the 50s or a 100 free/IM, those are basic events for kids to do. But I do get frustrated by the coaches that throw a kid who struggles to complete a 50 fly into the 100 fly, etc. Kids should have to demonstrate an ability to complete an event, other than the basic ones, within a reasonable time before they get entered in that event in a meet.

News flash: no one cares about your opinions on how the sport of swimming could be improved. They are designed for the be as inclusive as possible for the swimmers, not the convenience of the parents. No one is forcing you to stay at the meet the entire time if it’s so painful for you. You can drop a kid off and come back later, or send them with a trusted family of a teammate. I remember going to big meets where there were 20 heats of 500 free. You think my parents sat through that? Nope. And don’t tell yourself that your kids absolutely need you to be there to watch every single race. They don’t. That’s something over involved parents tell themselves to justify their behavior. Swimming is for the participants, not the parents.

How dare someone express an opinion on the sport of swimming on a *checks notes* message board thread about swimming. If you’re going to attempt snark at least try to be clever. Inclusivity is not being threatened by not allowing kids to swim in individual events they are not ready for. But I know it’s super important that if back in the day people had to sit through interminable meets, people still need to experience that. Sorry that your coach back in the day sucked and made you sit through 20 heats of the 500 free before your first swim. My kid’s coach gives them an appropriate arrival time in that situation.

I was there to swim the 500, genius. Keep complaining though. I’m sure the USA swimming leadership is monitoring this thread and will get right on making these reforms. Have you tried calling the manager?

You got burned, just move on. I’m pretty sure the standard for posting on DCUM isn’t that people in authority need to be reading and considering posts. Pretending that swimming and swim meets in particular are perfect and not in need of any adjustments is absurd.

You act like you’re the first person to ever observe that swim meets are long. Those in charge of the sport have decided that letting more kids swim more events is worth the tradeoff. Why you think you have made some novel insight is beyond me. This is the sport. Take it or leave it.

You mean they can collect more in meet fees the more events kids swim. Such an altruistic reason to just keep the status quo. You really dug deep for the tiresome “this is the way it’s always been, take it or leave it” argument.

Are you just now realizing that youth sports is out to make as much money as possible? And you think that’s somehow going to change? In swimming it’s actually somewhat justified because of how expensive it is to run an indoor pool. Teams pay a lot of money for lane time because the operating costs are passed to them.

[Anonymous]

I wrote the comment about kids swimming events they don’t belong in yet. I have 2 swimmers..one is pretty speedy and the other is not. They both love to swim and I love watching them both. That being said I am not entering my slower swimmer in a 200 fly or 200IM because even if she does finish it won’t be a positive experience. A 100IM sure…but if your kid isn’t competitive in a shorter race why would you ever put them in a longer one? There are plenty of short races to choose from in the 11-12 age groups and down

[Anonymous]

Well, at least the way this thread went off the rails proves I wasn't trolling!

- OP

[Anonymous]

Who the hell is even keeping up with that? Let her swim and have fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wrote the comment about kids swimming events they don’t belong in yet. I have 2 swimmers..one is pretty speedy and the other is not. They both love to swim and I love watching them both. That being said I am not entering my slower swimmer in a 200 fly or 200IM because even if she does finish it won’t be a positive experience. A 100IM sure…but if your kid isn’t competitive in a shorter race why would you ever put them in a longer one? There are plenty of short races to choose from in the 11-12 age groups and down

Because for some kids simply finishing successfully is a positive experience. When 100 or more kids are entered in an event do you really think most of them are there to consider themselves competitive? No. They have other goals in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wrote the comment about kids swimming events they don’t belong in yet. I have 2 swimmers..one is pretty speedy and the other is not. They both love to swim and I love watching them both. That being said I am not entering my slower swimmer in a 200 fly or 200IM because even if she does finish it won’t be a positive experience. A 100IM sure…but if your kid isn’t competitive in a shorter race why would you ever put them in a longer one? There are plenty of short races to choose from in the 11-12 age groups and down

Because for some kids simply finishing successfully is a positive experience. When 100 or more kids are entered in an event do you really think most of them are there to consider themselves competitive? No. They have other goals in mind.

Like not drowning because physically they are not ready to race that longer distance? I’m not talking about kids with slower times…I am talking about the kids that you are worrying about someone needing to jump in after because the coach had no business letting them swim that event

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wrote the comment about kids swimming events they don’t belong in yet. I have 2 swimmers..one is pretty speedy and the other is not. They both love to swim and I love watching them both. That being said I am not entering my slower swimmer in a 200 fly or 200IM because even if she does finish it won’t be a positive experience. A 100IM sure…but if your kid isn’t competitive in a shorter race why would you ever put them in a longer one? There are plenty of short races to choose from in the 11-12 age groups and down

Because for some kids simply finishing successfully is a positive experience. When 100 or more kids are entered in an event do you really think most of them are there to consider themselves competitive? No. They have other goals in mind.

Like not drowning because physically they are not ready to race that longer distance? I’m not talking about kids with slower times…I am talking about the kids that you are worrying about someone needing to jump in after because the coach had no business letting them swim that event

Who's almost drowning at swim meets? Besides, the thread is about swimming in nice pools, not swimming events YOU think they should be banned from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's been on the team for less than a year and isn't very good, to put it mildly. DH and I both swam in college, and I had a lot of concerns that she might feel pressured, but she LOVES it. She asks to go to every meet she meets the qualifications for, and we usually allow it. If nothing else, her confidence has skyrocketed.

This weekend, we overheard another parent make a nasty comment about her times, and how they couldn't believe she was at this particular meet, because the park district pool was more her speed. Again, her coaches were aware. She met the requirements. She was not even the slowest swimmer, by far.

30+ years ago, what she/we are doing would have fine. But it made me wonder if there has been some unspoken cultural shift that says only "good" swimmers should attend meets at at elite pools. What does DCUM think?

This parent is a jerk. One of the amazing things about swimming is that it is an individual sport where hard work = measurable progress. That can happen no matter where the kid falls in the pack. I personally was always pretty mediocre but worked really hard, was captain of my high school team, and now swim for exercise and de-stressing in my late 30s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wrote the comment about kids swimming events they don’t belong in yet. I have 2 swimmers..one is pretty speedy and the other is not. They both love to swim and I love watching them both. That being said I am not entering my slower swimmer in a 200 fly or 200IM because even if she does finish it won’t be a positive experience. A 100IM sure…but if your kid isn’t competitive in a shorter race why would you ever put them in a longer one? There are plenty of short races to choose from in the 11-12 age groups and down

Because for some kids simply finishing successfully is a positive experience. When 100 or more kids are entered in an event do you really think most of them are there to consider themselves competitive? No. They have other goals in mind.

Like not drowning because physically they are not ready to race that longer distance? I’m not talking about kids with slower times…I am talking about the kids that you are worrying about someone needing to jump in after because the coach had no business letting them swim that event

Who's almost drowning at swim meets? Besides, the thread is about swimming in nice pools, not swimming events YOU think they should be banned from.

Tell me you’ve never been to a 12U session without telling me you’ve never been to one. There are frequently kids swimming events that they have no business being in. Like the 100 fly when after 50 they can’t keep their arms above water and look like they need rescuing, or the 200 free where after a 100 they are barely swimming.

[Anonymous]

If a kid is enjoying herself and proud of the progress she's making, she should be swimming wherever the hell she qualifies.