Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on your reasons for wanting them to be done. Are they no longer enjoying the sport but don’t know what else to do? Is it a team issue that switching teams would help solve? How old is the kid?

I just see no upside to it. The time commitment is extremely demanding given the returns at this point. I get it….teamwork, organization, friends but at what cost? There is no future where this gives back what has been given.

The way you’re analyzing this (discounting teamwork, exercise, friendships, etc.), most other extracurricular activities would also have no upside in your mind.

+1.

What upside were you expecting?

Anonymous wrote:This may be controversial, but more should bow out sooner.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, too many clubs don't want swimmers who just do it for exercise and enjoyment. There are a few clubs in this area who think that every swimmer has to treat it like they're going to the Olympics.

Anonymous wrote:
Therein lies the problem.

I don't really think it's an option. Sort of the whole point of "USA Swimming".

Unfortunately, USA Swimming clubs optimize the pools. Ultimately, 90% of the kids just want summer all year long. IMO there should be more AAU swim clubs, but they don't have them around the DC area. The USA swimming swim clubs are relatively expensive for what they are.

If the kid just likes swimming, get a family membership at a pool and take them swimming.

Swimming at a rec center solo is
really not sustainable over the long term.

You have to share lanes regularly with people that are far slower than you. Most of the good times to swim are taken by swim, dive, synchro swim clubs/ HS swim & dive/ lessons and meets.

This makes it not realistic to get a 60-90 minute workout swimming strokes (butterfly) and swimming fast on intervals. It works sometimes, but not often enough to be able to yield successful results.

You can get a family membership at a private club for the fraction of the cost of a swim club. People at my club don't share lanes at all. They just wait until a lane is available.

NP - most kids are not going to wait around until a lane opens up. Most adults wouldn't, for that matter.

It's moot, though, because the idea that swimming laps solo in any way replaces a cherished swim team is bonkers. Let the poor kid swim with their team!

You wouldn't believe it if you saw it. They put chairs at the end of the pool that people sit in. Though as often as not there are just open lanes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had your problem OP. My oldest wants to quit and it’s making me sad. I think swimming is such a great sport and I wish they would continue regardless of their success or lack thereof. I would be so happy to have a kid who enjoyed swimming and wanted to stick with it!

We can swap spots. After six years of this, I am ready to move on with my life. It is not the money. It is not the time demands. It is not the coaches. It is the toxicity of the community.

The important question is whether your kid finds the community toxic. If your kid is oblivious to whatever parental behind the scenes toxicity is there, then the answer is for you to step back, not pull your kid out of an activity they enjoy. Seriously, you don’t need to engage with the other parents. Volunteer, only come in to the pool area to watch your kid’s race and otherwise take a walk or read a book, etc. There are lots of things you can do to avoid the nonsense in the bleachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take a parental gap year

Why would you want to add another year to this madness?

Anonymous wrote:Take a parental gap year

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, too many clubs don't want swimmers who just do it for exercise and enjoyment. There are a few clubs in this area who think that every swimmer has to treat it like they're going to the Olympics.

Anonymous wrote:
Therein lies the problem.

I don't really think it's an option. Sort of the whole point of "USA Swimming".

Unfortunately, USA Swimming clubs optimize the pools. Ultimately, 90% of the kids just want summer all year long. IMO there should be more AAU swim clubs, but they don't have them around the DC area. The USA swimming swim clubs are relatively expensive for what they are.

If the kid just likes swimming, get a family membership at a pool and take them swimming.

Swimming at a rec center solo is
really not sustainable over the long term.

You have to share lanes regularly with people that are far slower than you. Most of the good times to swim are taken by swim, dive, synchro swim clubs/ HS swim & dive/ lessons and meets.

This makes it not realistic to get a 60-90 minute workout swimming strokes (butterfly) and swimming fast on intervals. It works sometimes, but not often enough to be able to yield successful results.

You can get a family membership at a private club for the fraction of the cost of a swim club. People at my club don't share lanes at all. They just wait until a lane is available.

NP - most kids are not going to wait around until a lane opens up. Most adults wouldn't, for that matter.

It's moot, though, because the idea that swimming laps solo in any way replaces a cherished swim team is bonkers. Let the poor kid swim with their team!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, too many clubs don't want swimmers who just do it for exercise and enjoyment. There are a few clubs in this area who think that every swimmer has to treat it like they're going to the Olympics.

Anonymous wrote:
Therein lies the problem.

I don't really think it's an option. Sort of the whole point of "USA Swimming".

Unfortunately, USA Swimming clubs optimize the pools. Ultimately, 90% of the kids just want summer all year long. IMO there should be more AAU swim clubs, but they don't have them around the DC area. The USA swimming swim clubs are relatively expensive for what they are.

If the kid just likes swimming, get a family membership at a pool and take them swimming.

Swimming at a rec center solo is
really not sustainable over the long term.

You have to share lanes regularly with people that are far slower than you. Most of the good times to swim are taken by swim, dive, synchro swim clubs/ HS swim & dive/ lessons and meets.

This makes it not realistic to get a 60-90 minute workout swimming strokes (butterfly) and swimming fast on intervals. It works sometimes, but not often enough to be able to yield successful results.

You can get a family membership at a private club for the fraction of the cost of a swim club. People at my club don't share lanes at all. They just wait until a lane is available.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on your reasons for wanting them to be done. Are they no longer enjoying the sport but don’t know what else to do? Is it a team issue that switching teams would help solve? How old is the kid?

I just see no upside to it. The time commitment is extremely demanding given the returns at this point. I get it….teamwork, organization, friends but at what cost? There is no future where this gives back what has been given.

The way you’re analyzing this (discounting teamwork, exercise, friendships, etc.), most other extracurricular activities would also have no upside in your mind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, too many clubs don't want swimmers who just do it for exercise and enjoyment. There are a few clubs in this area who think that every swimmer has to treat it like they're going to the Olympics.

Anonymous wrote:
Therein lies the problem.

I don't really think it's an option. Sort of the whole point of "USA Swimming".

Unfortunately, USA Swimming clubs optimize the pools. Ultimately, 90% of the kids just want summer all year long. IMO there should be more AAU swim clubs, but they don't have them around the DC area. The USA swimming swim clubs are relatively expensive for what they are.

If the kid just likes swimming, get a family membership at a pool and take them swimming.

Swimming at a rec center solo is
really not sustainable over the long term.

You have to share lanes regularly with people that are far slower than you. Most of the good times to swim are taken by swim, dive, synchro swim clubs/ HS swim & dive/ lessons and meets.

This makes it not realistic to get a 60-90 minute workout swimming strokes (butterfly) and swimming fast on intervals. It works sometimes, but not often enough to be able to yield successful results.

You can get a family membership at a private club for the fraction of the cost of a swim club. People at my club don't share lanes at all. They just wait until a lane is available.

Sounds great, but other than Burke swim and racquet, I can’t think of another year round private club.

Anonymous wrote:I swim at burke racquet, you definitely aren't guaranteed your own lane there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, too many clubs don't want swimmers who just do it for exercise and enjoyment. There are a few clubs in this area who think that every swimmer has to treat it like they're going to the Olympics.

Anonymous wrote:
Therein lies the problem.

I don't really think it's an option. Sort of the whole point of "USA Swimming".

Unfortunately, USA Swimming clubs optimize the pools. Ultimately, 90% of the kids just want summer all year long. IMO there should be more AAU swim clubs, but they don't have them around the DC area. The USA swimming swim clubs are relatively expensive for what they are.

If the kid just likes swimming, get a family membership at a pool and take them swimming.

Swimming at a rec center solo is
really not sustainable over the long term.

You have to share lanes regularly with people that are far slower than you. Most of the good times to swim are taken by swim, dive, synchro swim clubs/ HS swim & dive/ lessons and meets.

This makes it not realistic to get a 60-90 minute workout swimming strokes (butterfly) and swimming fast on intervals. It works sometimes, but not often enough to be able to yield successful results.

You can get a family membership at a private club for the fraction of the cost of a swim club. People at my club don't share lanes at all. They just wait until a lane is available.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, too many clubs don't want swimmers who just do it for exercise and enjoyment. There are a few clubs in this area who think that every swimmer has to treat it like they're going to the Olympics.

Anonymous wrote:
Therein lies the problem.

I don't really think it's an option. Sort of the whole point of "USA Swimming".

Unfortunately, USA Swimming clubs optimize the pools. Ultimately, 90% of the kids just want summer all year long. IMO there should be more AAU swim clubs, but they don't have them around the DC area. The USA swimming swim clubs are relatively expensive for what they are.

If the kid just likes swimming, get a family membership at a pool and take them swimming.

Swimming at a rec center solo is
really not sustainable over the long term.

You have to share lanes regularly with people that are far slower than you. Most of the good times to swim are taken by swim, dive, synchro swim clubs/ HS swim & dive/ lessons and meets.

This makes it not realistic to get a 60-90 minute workout swimming strokes (butterfly) and swimming fast on intervals. It works sometimes, but not often enough to be able to yield successful results.