Parent Resources: 05/01/2009

Parents And Masters Swimming - Interview with a Masters Swimmer and Swim Parent

Leslie Osborne is a 35-year old swimmer and mother of three age group swimmers. Leslie, a member of the Michigan Masters, shattered the 35-39 age group national record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a 1:07.58 (7 seconds faster than her best time as a teenager!) in only her second year of Master's swimming after an 18-year layoff. Leslie's three children Josh 11, Leslie 9, and Brian 6 have swum with the Michigan Stingrays for 2 1/2 years.

Q: Leslie, has your perspective on being a "swimming mother" changed as a result of competing yourself?

Leslie: I never considered myself to be a high pressure swim parent, but I find I'm more patient and relaxed about my kids' swimming now because I'm not living vicariously through them. I'm able to go after my own goals rather than pushing them to accomplish things because of some unfulfilled wish of my own.

I also have a renewed understanding of the difficulties and frustrations they experience. I see quite a few parents who expect their kids to drop time at every meet they enter, and Master's swimming teaches you that you can't always drop time, even if you'd like to.

Q: What advice would you like to share with other swim parents?

Leslie: I hate to see when parents act negatively with their kids after a race. Sometimes I see parents, who are so fat and out of shape they couldn't even swim a 25, scolding their kids about losing a race, and I want to ask them how they'd like to try it. It's hard for the average parent to relate to a swimming race experience without having gone through it themselves. They should realize all the feelings of anxiety and putting pressure on yourself that swimming races can impose. They should know it's not such a great feeling when things don't work out. I swam a 200 breaststroke in a local meet this year, where I lost my goggles on the start and everything went wrong. Here I was an adult and I could understand it was just one of those things. Putting a kid in the same situation and having someone yell at them after the race is the last thing they would need. You learn a lot from those experiences.

The other side, when things go well, is the great satisfaction that you have of knowing that you've done your best, that your work and conditioning have paid off, that your training was successful regardless of whether you win or lose.

Q: What do your kids think of having a swimming mom, who really swims?

Leslie: My kids are really proud of me and they think my swimming is great. They made posters and signs for me before I went to nationals. They also enjoy my swimming friends a lot. They're like adopted uncles and aunts and they make such good role models, I'm always happy to have them come over and be part of my kids' lives.

This is another segment of News For SWIM PARENTS
Published by The American Club Swimming Association
5101 NW 21 Ave., Suite 200
Fort Lauderdale FL 33309

Wax helps prevent swimmer's ear

Published: May 18, 2009 at 11:43 PM

Ear wax helps avoid otitis externa -- swimmer's ear -- a U.S. doctor says.

Dr. Ian Storper of the New York -Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University Medical Center explains swimmer's ear is actually an inflammation of the external ear canal and the wax producing -- cerumen -- glands that it lines. The root of the problem is an absence of ear wax which protects the thin skin of the ear from summer's high humidity and heat as well as the exposure of the ear canal to bacteria-laden waters

Swimmer's ear sufferers usually complain of sharp pain in the ear and jaw area and hearing loss. There may also be severe itching in the ear canal, but scratching worsens the condition which can require the use of eardrops and oral antibiotics. If an infection develops, Storper advises seeking medical attention.

Understanding the important role of ear wax, Storper says, can help swimmers prevent swimmer's ear. For instance, he cautions against using cotton swabs or anything else to remove the normal ear wax lining protecting the ear canal.

Taken from UPI.com Health News
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Swimming Is An Investment

With time at a premium in the two-career family, many parents are now asking "Is it the sacrifice and expense of joining an age group program worth it?" Here are some thoughts on why it is from Coach Cindy Anderson, head age group coach of the Reno Aquatic Club in Reno, Nevada.

"Age group swimming is much more than just swimming back and forth, day in and day out - the occasional swim meet and winning ribbon. Of course the swimmer gains from the physical activity of swimming, by becoming more fit...and there is involvement in an after-school activity at a time when working parents can't be with their kids. But age group swimming is an investment in the health, fitness, and overall growth and development of the youngster.

From the physical standpoint, swimming helps improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular coordination. In addition, swimming is a lifelong fitness activity that is relatively easy to pursue, low in injury risk, and helps reduce stress. It can be enjoyed recreationally long after it has ceased competitively.

Beyond the physical benefits, swimming in both practice and meets contributes greatly to the psychological and emotional development of the young athlete. As an activity, swimming requires the development of specific and complex motor patterns. Swimming well requires not only hard physical work, but also intelligent application of learned skills and the ability to THINK while performing. From concentration on performing stroke skills correctly to executing race strategies, the athlete learns early to concentrate and perform under pressure. In addition nutrition education is an ongoing and essential part of the athlete's overall development and success.

Age group swimming also requires consistent dedication, discipline and long-term commitment to goals, learning the habit of persistent application of lifestyle adaptations for goal achievement. Young swimmers also learn to accept success and failure with equal grace. In life as in swimming, one often fails several times on the way to a success, and it is an essential and difficult life-lesson to learn. The ups and downs of competition and training expose the young athlete to the realities of success and failure and force them to deal with the living experience. Age group swimming, both directly and indirectly, teaches the athlete to develop: goal-setting strategies, time management skills, relaxation and imagery techniques, positive attitudes, and generally enhances the athletes overall self-image. Competitive swimming is both social and fun, and by virtue of the athletic nature of the activity, reinforces positive social values and beliefs. Athletes are taught to value their hard work in training and steer clear of drug and alcohol abuses.

To be an athlete is a very special and wonderful thing. To be a competitive swimmer is special, wonderful, and difficult; but the benefits of the persistent dedication and application of efforts, along with the benefits of facing and dealing with the emotional and psychological experiences associated with the demands of training and competing for success, are well worth whatever personal and/or financial investments are required. Age group swimming is much more than it first appears.

Adjusting To Different Stroke Techniques

“My daughter’s Coach has been changing her strokes and now all of her times are slower. Does the coach know what he is talking about?”

Answered by: Mitch Ivy, a member of the 1984 Olympic Coaching Staff.

It is not unusual to experience slower swimming while adjusting to different stroke techniques. Often, times stroke techniques feel awkward and uncomfortable to the swimmer. It is important for the parents to encourage and support their young swimmer when he or she is going through this period.

Often times the swimmer will become frustrated with his slower times and he will become discouraged. The parents need to reinforce the benefits and the positive effects that the stroke changes will bring. Once he adapts to the changes, he will be much better off in the long run. The coach’s job is to make the transition as smooth as possible, “educating” the swim family along the way.

The importance of proper stroke technique cannot be stressed enough. Given two well-trained and physically comparable athletes, the race will ultimately be determined by technique and efficiency such as strokes, starts and turns. Fundamental stroke work should be the base for all 10 and under swimmers. We (concord Pleasant hill swim team) introduce training formats to swimmers 11 years and older and do not apply full double workouts and/or strength training until roughly high school age, although this is dependent upon individual maturity, physically and mentally.

Stroke work is not a seasonal or a special day even! Instead, it is an everyday part of our program. A stroke error left unattended will eventually prohibit proper racing form, and can even lead to injury. I consider each workout a “stroke workout” and constant care and attention are demanded from swimmer and coach alike.

You might not see results right away, but the coach is trying to lay the groundwork for your swimmer to reach his/her fullest future potential in our great sport.

Also, be aware that as the age grouper matures, his strokes will change. As the swimmer develops physically and mentally, he becomes technically more polished. Expect changes. It is very rare for a swimmer to go through age group swimming and senior swimming with the “best” stroke. Trust the coach. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the coach so that you may have better understanding of his teaching methods.

Swim Meets- Basic Information for New Swim Parents

We participate in a variety of swim meets ranging from the most basic novice level dual meet to statewide and regional championship meets. Many meets are low key and designed to be learning experiences. Winning means improving start, stroke, turns, pace, and time. Racing, the ability to race, and the strategies in racing are a close second priority. Beating someone else is a bonus but not overly emphasized except for higher levels of competition. We try to attend invitational meets about every 4 to six weeks. We may hold novice level meets more frequently, sometimes weekly, at our home pool.

Coaches will ask parents for permission to enter their children in swim meets. Usually there is about a two to a four week advanced notice of meets. Once approval is made the coaches will enter the swimmers in appropriate events and times. In general, we swim all strokes in meets and aim toward the more challenging events.

Swim meets are preceded by a warm up period of 60 to ninety minutes. The coaches will tell parents what time swimmers are expected to be at the meet. Once at the meet, the coach will manage all the warm-up swimming, speak with swimmers before each swim, and review the swim with the swimmer immediately after. Parents should find a comfortable place to view the meet away from the immediate side of the pool. (Most of our swim parents sit together.) Parents are not to engage in coaching their children at the meets. However, parents are welcome to speak with coaches at appropriate times during the meet.

Mini-Meets - Information for New Swim Parents There are several objectives we strive to accomplish in our Mini-Meets. The primary focus is on teaching young swimmers what to do, where to be, and what to think about at a swimming meet. It is also a good opportunity for new swim parents to find out what a swim meet is all about.

What a thrill to watch your child swim! We ask that you sit in the bleachers and stay clear of the sides of the pool. (Unless, you would like to be a timer - no experience required and the best seats in the house!) Your child will be under the care of the coaching staff during the whole time. All the swimmers will be in the same general area waiting for their next event. It is very important that children speak with their coach before their event and immediately afterwards in order to provide reminders and then to provide feedback. After children speak to the coach about their event they may visit with their parents but will need to return to the team fairly shortly if they have another event to prepare for. When you visit with your children tell them how much you love them and how proud you are of them. Please refrain from providing critical comments on your child's performance as this is the role of the coaching staff.

What's going on?

Children should first find their coach who will conduct a warm-up prior to the start of the meet. The purpose of the warm-up is to loosed up muscles and tendons, get the capillaries opened up for improved blood flow, and to review skills. The amount of warm-up varies depending on training background. After warm-up the children will gather in an area with the coaching staff. A good role for parents at this point is to be sure their children have a warm towel. The general order of events is younger swimmers first, and girls before boys. Age groups are 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, and 13 and over. There may be several "heats" of one event. For example, there may be fifteen 9-10 girls so we would run several heats of 5 or 6 girls at a time. In each heat there may be swimmers much faster or much slower than your child.

It is natural for parents to want their child to win the heat. There are three things coaches look for and at this level winning the race is the LEAST important. The first thing we look at is technique -- starts, stroke, turns, pace, and finish. The second thing we look at is their time. Is it a best time? Finally we look at "racing." Racing means being competitive WITH other swimmers. Perhaps the race is for 5th place or perhaps it is for 1st place. In any case we like the swimmers to have fun racing. Losing is not a big deal - effort is.

We hope you have a good meet experience along with your children. Please visit with the coach if you have any questions.