Coaching Entry Level Swimmers

Slide below is from a presentation from American Swim Coaches Association leaders that was delivered to United States Swimming’s board in 2018. A link to these slides was posted on a coaching forum.

Fantastic and insightful statement

This message speaks volumes to the efforts of what needs to be done in aquatics and throughout the swimming landscape.

Addressing the issues and crafting solutions

One important way to help overcome the problem above is to deploy SKWIM. SKWIM USA can help.

More thoughts

It is great that two of the bigger and more powerful competitive swimming organizations are considering these issues. As the leadership of ASCA and USA Swimming moves to further understand grass-roots concerns, let’s all realize that race training may not be the best way toward water safety.

The goals of most competitive swim programs remains racing. Notice, these clubs and teams do not need to be called “swimming programs.” This is the same with land racing. Track & Field is not called running. Kids don’t go out for “running.” Kids go out for “cross-country” and “track.” The sport and team type denotes the specific coarse and specific style of the race facility.

Competitive swimming is swim-racing not swimming. Coaches and members perfect the stroke and conditioning to compete for speed. Racing is important, no doubt. But racing isn’t the end all and be all.

On land and in water, racing is outshone by kids who would rather play than race. Racing is the main activity for organizations from the realm of the swim pools.

Now is the time to continue to educate both within and around the ranks of swim coaches and governing bodies.

In summary and moving forward, understand that the racing community won’t be the ultimate judge nor the ones that are going to determine the position and destiny of SKWIM.