Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:58     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

Summer swim is pretty much over, no? Just do some swim lessons during the year if you want and have them go for the evaluation next summer for pre-team/ swim team.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:49     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

Anonymous wrote:We have 5 year-olds competing in summer swim meets and 5 year-olds in minis at RMSC. I have yet to see 4 year-olds compete in MCSL but guessing if you want your kid to, no one is going to stop him/her.


Our pool's swim team minimum is 5. If you're 4 you can do preteam.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:48     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

We have 5 year old on our team. They do a good job and swim B meets. Not that slow either.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:46     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

We have 5 year-olds competing in summer swim meets and 5 year-olds in minis at RMSC. I have yet to see 4 year-olds compete in MCSL but guessing if you want your kid to, no one is going to stop him/her.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:40     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

Even Katie Ledecky waited until she was 6.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:40     Subject: Re:Youngest age for competitive swimmer

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If they are a strong swimmer they can do one B meet at the end of the season just to give them a kick - but only if they can swim fast enough not to slow the meet down. Beyond that no.


Ok - what do they do if they can swim a full 25 at 4 but no one wants them to compete? I feel like it will get boring to work on strokes with no immediate purpose


And also, merely being in a pool and attending practice is plenty stimulating for a 4yo. They don't have the sense of long-term payoff that adults do. WE may be excited for them to race, but we are also capable of waiting. They have no clue one way or the other, because they are 4.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:40     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

A 4yo swam for a different team at one of our meets last summer. She was slow but she did 25 free.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:39     Subject: Re:Youngest age for competitive swimmer

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If they are a strong swimmer they can do one B meet at the end of the season just to give them a kick - but only if they can swim fast enough not to slow the meet down. Beyond that no.


Ok - what do they do if they can swim a full 25 at 4 but no one wants them to compete? I feel like it will get boring to work on strokes with no immediate purpose


What's their time on a 25? If it's commensurate, then let them B meet if the coaches will let them. But if it takes them 60+ seconds to survive their way down the lane, wait till next summer.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:29     Subject: Re:Youngest age for competitive swimmer

Anonymous wrote:If they are a strong swimmer they can do one B meet at the end of the season just to give them a kick - but only if they can swim fast enough not to slow the meet down. Beyond that no.


Ok - what do they do if they can swim a full 25 at 4 but no one wants them to compete? I feel like it will get boring to work on strokes with no immediate purpose
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:23     Subject: Re:Youngest age for competitive swimmer

If they are a strong swimmer they can do one B meet at the end of the season just to give them a kick - but only if they can swim fast enough not to slow the meet down. Beyond that no.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:22     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

Anonymous wrote:No, they should be playing and pretending, not doing drills and workouts. Slow that roll.


You slow your roll. So sorry my kid can swim. I was just curious what age things happen at since it's 8&U
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:18     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

If they do, it should be once or twice a year, only in 25s, and in very small low key meets. Like a capstone to one a week stroke development mini-team.

But there’s no actual minimum age for mini meets.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:05     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

This Metro area, I swear.

No.

People will tell you 5s can compete. But they shouldn't.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:03     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

No, they should be playing and pretending, not doing drills and workouts. Slow that roll.
Anonymous
Post 07/28/2024 13:01     Subject: Youngest age for competitive swimmer

Can a 4.5 year old compete?