Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are so many short people swimmers? Have you ever heard of a short person getting a swim scholarship?

What? Are you on the wrong thread?

No, I am just wondering why so many swimmers are short. They can't possibly be very good for very long right?

Anonymous wrote:Why are so many short people swimmers? Have you ever heard of a short person getting a swim scholarship?

What? Are you on the wrong thread?

Why are so many short people swimmers? Have you ever heard of a short person getting a swim scholarship?

Part of the issue is that boys reach their peak performance in swimming at a later age than girls. It is hard for boys to be recruited as seniors, much less as juniors. Girls, on the other hand, often reach their top speeds by 16 if not earlier (not that they can’t continue to get faster with intensive training - just that they have reached their peak physical strength/size). Many of the top girls are committed to top D1 programs early in their junior year (with scholarships). Male swimmers often continue to grow/gain strength well into their early twenties.

Collegeswimmingguide.com membership. It’s a good resource and the woman who runs it does one-on-one counseling sessions. I have a senior (girl). Qualifying for NCSA jr. Nationals will not get you into a Division I program that offers any scholarships as a boy. Finishing there in the top 16 gets you closer (more likely top 8 this year as meet is much smaller). But division 3 programs recruit as do some unfounded Division 1 programs. If he wants to swim and it’s not about scholarship, the above reference can help!!

Does he want this or are you just a pushy relative? Give him a real gift.

Anonymous wrote:His parents have the tech suits covered but great suggestion! I think he has a decent shot. He qualified for the USA swim winter nationals, and the NCSA junior nationals, so he’s definitely got some potential- no suggestions for names? Waste of money?

His current coach is probably a better resource

I don’t have any names to offer, but I do want to give you snaps as a loving and thoughtful aunt .

His parents have the tech suits covered but great suggestion! I think he has a decent shot. He qualified for the USA swim winter nationals, and the NCSA junior nationals, so he’s definitely got some potential- no suggestions for names? Waste of money?

Tech suites need to be tried on so maybe a gift certificate for one?

Anonymous wrote:swimming really doesn't need a recruiting service. Coaches look at 1 thing, time in water. Unlike other sports, what you do in the water is what they are looking at. They don't even have to watch you swim, they check the times online.

Those recruiting companies are not worth it, get the kid a new high tech suit of their choice would be a better gift

I also think the tech suit of choice would be a great gift, OP! You would be a great aunt

swimming really doesn't need a recruiting service. Coaches look at 1 thing, time in water. Unlike other sports, what you do in the water is what they are looking at. They don't even have to watch you swim, they check the times online.

Those recruiting companies are not worth it, get the kid a new high tech suit of their choice would be a better gift

Swimming scholarships are hard to come by, especially for boys. I would make really sure he is likely to be recruited, which means he is probably very highly ranked on the national scene, otherwise he might feel guilt/obligation out of receiving this gift. Unless you are thinking more D3 level, I am just not sure what the scholarship availability is like there. This is a great gift though if he is receptive and truly exceptionally talented.

I have a beloved family member who is an excellent swimmer. For his 16th birthday, I’d love to gift him a session with one of those sports consulting and scholarship services that cross my Facebook feed. As he enters his junior year, I’d love for him to be able to chat with someone who can tell him all of the tips and advice for selecting the colleges to focus on, what he needs to be prioritizing during the year, how best to reach out to them, how to market himself beyond just a swim times, etc. (i’ve talk to his mom about this and she would absolutely welcome this as a present). Any suggestions For a sports scholarship consulting company that does this kind of work?