Parent Resources: 11/01/2016

BLUE WAVE has its own Tech Suit Policy so I thought is was very relevant and all of this parallels why we have one. For our suit policy please click here. Read on…

By Elizabeth Wickham from swimswam.com

In Southern California, a new rule regarding tech suits at age group meets was passed. I saw some discussion about it on Facebook and one parent wanted to know why the LSC would get involved and tell us when our kids could wear a tech suit.

“Southern California Swimming’s House of Delegates voted unanimously to prohibit the wearing of ‘Tech’ suits in Age Group competition at committee level (BRW), invitationals, dual/tri and intrasquads. ‘Tech’ suits will be permitted at Winter Age Group Invitationals (WAG), June Age Group Invitationals (JAG) and Junior Olympics (JO) meets.

The HoD also voted a ban on ‘Tech’ suits for swimmers 5-10 years old for all Southern California Swimming sanctioned meets.”

Personally, I agree with these rules. I remember when my kids were in 10 and unders and one swimmer my daughter’s age got a LZR Fastskin. I thought I needed to buy one for my daughter, too. Our coach said no, and suggested a plain navy, one-piece instead. She said that she didn’t believe in young kids wearing tech suits, and in her day you didn’t get a suit unless you earned it.

Here are some thoughts about why you should wait to buy your child a tech suit, especially in the 10 and under age group:

One - It’s about technique.

A tech suit isn’t going to make or break a young swimmer. Tighter streamlines and not lifting their heads going into turns will get them faster than a suit—as well as growing and getting stronger.

Two - Enjoy the process.

If there’s too much focus on results by parents, then the enjoyment and satisfaction children experience is minimized. Buying a tech suit for a young child places an emphasis on times.

Three - It’s not the suit.

Kids should be having fun with their friends at the pool. We want them to love the sport and stay with it through college and masters. We don’t want them to believe that it’s a magic suit that earned them a time, rather than their own hard work and effort.

Four - Earning a reward.

There is something be said for waiting and letting your child earn their first fast suit. Our team has a contract with a manufacturer and our swimmers get a free suit when they get to Junior Nationals. The problem is it may take a tech suit for a teenager to earn that first Junior National time. Most of our team’s swimmers get tech suits for their big meets, whether it’s JOs or Sectionals, on their way to earning Junior National times. It makes the big meets exciting with tapering, shaving and wearing tech suits—and swimming fast.

When do you believe kids should wear tech suits? Does your LSC or team have rules on when they wear them?

Elizabeth Wickham

volunteered for 14 years on her kids’ club team as board member, fundraiser, newsletter editor and “Mrs. meet manager.” She’s a writer with a bachelor of arts degree in editorial journalism from the University of Washington with a long career in public relations, marketing and advertising. Her stories have appeared in newspapers and magazines including the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Parenting and Ladybug. You can read more parenting tips on her blog.

1. “What happened?”

I’ve surveyed hundreds of adolescent and teenage swimmers. This statement is the #1 thing they hated to hear their parents say. Why? Because it’s judgmental. It implies that your child did something bad or wrong. When you talk to him or her on the way home (and pretty much any time you’re talking to them about swimming) it’s important to remain neutral. Any hint of judgment, criticism, or sarcasm can compound the self-criticism that’s already going on in their head.

2. “Jimmy was playing well today.”

Your son or daughter is constantly being compared to their teammates or other swimmers. Whether it’s for lane assignment, coach attention, qualification, being chosen for relays, etc. Any time you mention someone else’s skills, they take it as you comparing them to that person. I have a friend that says, “Honey, compare = despair.” No matter what your intention is, talking about other athletes can be a sore subject and it’s likely to make them feel bad.

3. “Here are a couple of things I noticed that you can work on.”

This one is a big no-no, even if you know what you’re talking about. This is especially hard for parents who have a history of swimming. When you offer coaching or feedback on your child’s skills, it creates confusion. If you’re telling them something different than what they are hearing from their coach, it puts them in a pickle. When your child is performing, they may be thinking, “who should I try to impress, my coach or my parent? I’ll be letting one of them down, who should it be?” Don’t put them in that situation. Everyone is better off if you let the coaches do the coaching.

4. “You’re so talented.”

When you praise something that your child doesn’t have control over, it can lead them to believe that success is more based on luck or chance than hard work. The most successful swimmer I’ve ever worked with could barely swim in a straight line at age 7. Now she’s a national champion. She didn’t have “talent” per se, but she was passionate and hard-working. I’ve also seen uber-talented athletes burn out when things get tough. When you praise your child, be sure to focus on effort and things that they have control over (i.e. choices, attitude, commitment).

5. Anything (if they don’t feel like talking)

If they don’t want to talk about it, don’t make them. Often the best conversations take place days later, when the feelings have subsided and you can have a constructive talk.

After a meet, most kids just want food, dry towels, and to know you love them no matter what.

Rebecca Smith, M.A. is a former competitive gymnast and High Performance Coach in the SF Bay Area. She specializes in mental toughness training for swimmers and gymnasts age 10-18 and their parents.

Are you giving your young swimmer the best chance at success?

The longer you wait, the more tears and frustration you will have to deal with. Join us in the #PerformHappy Community. Go to www.performhappy.com and we’ll help you navigate the ups and downs of sport parenting.

When Should Your Child Wear a Tech Suit?