{"id":1953,"date":"2017-05-23T14:00:36","date_gmt":"2017-05-23T12:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.e-spectations.com\/swimming\/?p=1953"},"modified":"2017-05-23T14:00:36","modified_gmt":"2017-05-23T12:00:36","slug":"swim-training-playing-motivation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-spectations.com\/swimming\/2017\/05\/23\/swim-training-playing-motivation\/","title":{"rendered":"Swim training or playing for motivation?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Swim training or playing?\u00a0~ in this article we take a look at a different approach with swimming in the new 2017-2018 season. \u00a0How do we keep our young swimmer motivated?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"SwimmingNew swimming season, new beginnings for our swim family. \u00a0There is a sense of excitement in our household despite winter arriving with a big bang a week or two ago.<\/p>\n

\"Swim<\/a>

Snow report – May 2017<\/p><\/div>\n

One day we still play training on the beach and the next we are sipping hot chocolate under a blanket as snow fell in the mountains and we get the icy cold wind down the coast.<\/p>\n

We have a rested swimmer, SSA registrations for the 2017-2018 season is done and we changed clubs. \u00a0Yes, we decided that a change will be as good as a holiday for our swimmer.<\/p>\n

This is also a time of year (April\/May) when we take a look at everything we do and apply changes where needed. Time to set goals for the new season.<\/p>\n

Nurturing a love for healthy living and swimming as a sport is at the forefront. We know how much Monica still loves swimming after 3 years of hard work, dedication, and competitive swimming. \u00a0We are also winning the race against asthma and chronic illness as a result of swimming with a healthier, happier, stronger Monica.<\/p>\n

Swim Club change:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"NorthWe joined\u00a0North Coast Dolphins Swim team<\/a> as of 1 May 2017. \u00a0NC Dolphins is a new club with the first season (2016-2017) behind them. \u00a0It is a small, family-oriented club. We really like this as it fits in so well with what we teach our swimmer:<\/p>\n

“Being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It’s not about winning. It’s about you and your relationship with yourself, your family and your friends. Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didn’t let them down because you told them the truth. And that truth is you did everything you could. ” ~ Coach Gary Gaines<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

NC Dolphins Swim Team is run under the auspices of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa. There are 3 squads with highly experienced coaches. Terence Parkin<\/a> and Dominique Donner<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Monica will, however, still receive coaching from Dad Coach Jan<\/a>. \u00a0NC Dolphins trains in Ballito on the North Coast. We live, work and train in Amanzimtoti on the South Coast (51 minutes drive one way.) \u00a0Distance is still an issue.<\/p>\n

Swim training or playing as part of motivation:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"SwimI want to focus on some aspects of swim training vs playing in the process of staying motivated. \u00a0How do we keep our young swimmer motivated? \u00a0How do we nurture the love for swimming?<\/p>\n

This article circulated the other day on social media:<\/p>\n

25 most likely reasons swimmers quit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pressure and athletes\/swimmers:<\/strong> \u00a0As swim mom, I must say that the swimming community never seizes to amaze me. \u00a0There are two camps. \u00a0The naysayers and the yeasayers.<\/p>\n

One would think that the whole swimming fraternity gets behind young swimmers that excel. \u00a0The 2016 US female team consisted of 8 veterans and 14 newcomers. \u00a0Michelle Weber was the only female swimmer (open water) on the RSA team in 2016.<\/p>\n

Everybody talks about the fact that South Africa needs more female swimmers – especially ones that swim A qualifying times! There is, therefore a lot of spots open on the team. \u00a0Do not worry at the age of 10,11, 12+ whether or not you are going to make it!<\/p>\n

\"\"At the end of the day, it does not matter which club you swim for. \u00a0Swimmers end up representing a\u00a0province, region or country. \u00a0We should teach our kids that we all stand for one thing at an early age:<\/p>\n

The love of swimming.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Set aside the negative comments when someone does well. \u00a0Congratulate your teammates and inspire each other to do better as individuals and as a team. \u00a0Stop worrying about the Olympics when you are young – focus on your times and do your best.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Best is good enough.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Maintain childhood in swimming – how do we do it?:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

To me, as a swim mom, all swimmers are different. \u00a0I am sure if someone does a survey they would find a lot of reasons kids swim.<\/p>\n

The point is this. \u00a0I think we should all ask ourselves which type of swimmer we have. \u00a0How do we do right by our children and preserve their childhood without pressure?<\/p>\n

The answer: Once you know which type of swimmer your child is, build their strengths and turn weaknesses into opportunities.<\/em><\/strong>
\n