I was a competitive swimmer for years growing up. I trained with various swim teams, from well-known local club teams to the school Varsity swim team. I would say I was probably above average, but not a top swimmer regionally or in larger arenas (such as nationally). However, the pressures the swim teams placed on me was seriously overboard for my goals. It became cult-like. I trained and swam nearly everyday after school for hours. Sometimes I trained in the mornings too, although that became way too exhausting. Morning practices were two to three times a week.
One coach I trained under habitually guilt tripped people on the team if they didn’t attend a morning practice or missed afternoon practice. Remember – this is year round rigorous training. I don’t think that’s necessary given that young people need to enjoy their lives too. I would have liked to spend more time on other interests and schoolwork without feeling so stressed. The expectations of various coaches I was around were seriously narcissistic – obsessed with ensuring their swimmers reflect well on them. It really seemed excessive. I had to refuse to stop going to most morning swim practices after I had a car accident because I was so exhausted. Many swimmers didn’t spend much time on their homework, and their grades suffered a great deal. Or, they basically became perfectionist robots. One of the swimmers on the team began to have serious emotional problems and ended up in the hospital. I think many of the swimmers struggled with the sacrifices they were making. We basically didn’t have much of a life outside of swimming. Would I do it again? No.
I would have preferred to go to swim practice a few times a week, and maybe do a different sport at other times of the year for fun – such as cross country. However, I was terrified of telling my swim coach I wasn’t happy with working so hard. I worried I wouldn’t be able to return to the team or that my performance would decline. After I graduated from high school, I regretted not being able to enjoy more of my youth. Perhaps training for hours everyday year round makes more sense for swimmers seeking college scholarships or to swim on the national level, but for most people it’s not worth the fantasy.
I just wanted to share my view on unrealistic athletic expectations and why people need to evaluate what’s beneficial to them. I think the coaches for youth swim teams need to be more aware of excessive influence they place on their swimmers, and give young people options to have workout schedules that make sense to them.