What age for daughter to join a swimming club?

Question

My daughter is 6 years old and she loves swimming. She goes to a weekly class just now to help improve her swimming technique and learn all of the different swimming strokes. At what age is it normal for a child to join a club for competitive swimming?

Answer 1

Some kids join as young as 4.  If she can swim the length of the pool without stopping on her front and also do the same thing on her back, most clubs will take her.

Answer 2

6 or 7 is a good age. I was 6 1/2 when I started.

Edit: There have been a lot of posts mentioning burnout because of starting at a young age. It's true that this can happen, but if your daughter is the one that wants to join the team, it most likely won't.

However, it is important to follow some guidelines about her training if she is on a team. For instance, I was only 6 1/2 when I started and the stipulation was I had to go to at least three practices a week. My parents then stepped back and followed my lead. Sometimes I chose to go six times a week, sometimes just three. When I only wanted to go twice my parents were good about reminding me of the commitment I had made to the sport at the beginning of each season and made sure I help up my promise to go three times.

I was never pushed by my parents into more practices than I wanted. The result was that swimming was my responsibility and by the time I was in middle school I was waking my parents up and hurrying THEM out the door so I could get to early morning practices on time.

On the flip side, coaches will tell parents when it's time to move up children a level and that usually means more practices for longer periods of time. I'm only discussing this issue, because it often leads to burnout. As a coach and instructor myself, I know that we like to think we're right all the time and in this area coach/parent relationships often end up strained. You know your child best, but they probably know swimming best. Who's right?

One main thing to consider is how old the children are in the next group. While swimming groups are highly dependent on skill, age is an important factor. Just because a child can keep up with the workout does not mean that they can keep up with the social life and maturity level of the group. An 8 year old may be as fast as a group of mostly 11-13 year olds, but they're not ready to be with that group all the time. If your child is talented enough to be the fastest in her group, let her enjoy it. A good coach will still be able to tailor her workout to the level she needs.

Also ask your child what she wants. Does she want to move up just to get faster? Does she know that her friends won't join her new level for a long time? Swimming will be a far more pleasant experience if she knows she can make the decisions about her "career."

Competitive swimming is about adding something to your person not detracting from it by having a burnout experience. I'm not saying you are a pushy parent or that you will become one. I just know that parents want the best for their children and it's easy to be told by others what the best is when you're unfamiliar with the sport. This way you may have some defense mechanisms before she begins swimming.

Answer 3

2 years before she begins high school so she won't burn out before she even starts really compeeting

keep her in a 3-4 times a week class until then

Answer 4

The earlier, the better! Many start around 6, 7, or 8. It's an advantage to have been doing it longer because you have more endurance and better technique with time.

Answer 5

i started club swimming when i was 5, and i got burned out really quickly. i only did a year because i absolutely HATED it!!!

now i just swim in the summer and on my middle school team and im not trying to brag or anything, but i can beat most of the club swimmers out there.

i would only have her do it if she REALLY wants a challenge, but dont push her because thats what my parents did and it ruined the love of the sport...

However, it really isnt that young and i think its an okay age, as long as shes up for it.

Hope this helps you :)

Answer 6

I would say 6 is ok.

At my team, we have

5-6's who practoce in shallow end.

8 and Unders 8 and unders are all 7-8's and any 5-6's who are good. They practice inr egular pool

Answer 7

I started when I was 4 so it should be a good age

If she loves swimming then she will have a fab time

Answer 8

I started when I was 4. Keep it at a reasonable age because you don't want her to burn out later in the future.

Answer 9

If she takes part in swimming lessons then i would ask the swim teachers and it would also depend on the level she is at.

i read someone elses answer and in relation to that i would let your daughter decide when  and how long she wants to train.

At the age of 6 is a good age to introduce to a swim club but doing competitive swimming is different to weekly classes. depending on the swim club on average they train 5-6 times a week. This might put ur daughter off. My best advice is find out if she is mentally and physically ready and speak to the head coach at the swim club. They will then give her a try out and slot her into whatever their squads are. If she likes it then just encourage her to have a good time and if she takes it seriously then brilliant. Good luck on whatever she decides to do.

Answer 10

I have seen swimmer's on the team as young as 3, this is an exception.  Most start between 4-6, 7 is late to start for swimming.

Answer 11

That's a perfect age! I was 6 years old when I started, my sister was 4, and we're both still swimming now.

We both started on a recreational team which was a great pace for us just starting out. Later on we joined a USA team, which is by far more competitive and requires much more dedication, plus it's year round.

Listen to your daughter and see if she likes it or not, she's at the perfect age to start.

Answer 12

Agree with first answerers:  my older son was 7 when he started, but the younger one was only 5, he couldn't wait.  It is so cute to see the tiny ones at swim meets--when they FINALLY get to the end of the pool (minutes after the other competitors), everyone cheers for them.  Very supportive sport, club swimming.  And there's the possibility for lifelong fitness.  Have a great time!

Answer 13

I think it's better for now. Your girl is very lucky. She can swim at 6 years old and I can't swim at 14 years old.

Answer 14

I am 13, and I started competitive swimming a month after I turned 6, I'm very glad that I did. My friend who was the same age as me quit after a while so if it's not for your daughter she will figure it out. I think swimming is a great sport for people to start at a young age. So far it's been something that I really enjoy, it has taught me commitment and has helped me create goals for myself and stay fit, it's also a great place to make friends.