Swimming Clubs - how old ?

milicent

I was wondering about swimming clubs - I have never been involved in one or know of anyone else who is. My daughter loves swimming but the lessons are not enough time and not often enough. Is there a compentancy test to join a swim club or a minimum age ? When I take her swimming she just messes about and doesn't actually do much proper swimming, so much better in a more controlled environment . . .. ..

hunnymonster

milicent,welcome to boards. It might help people if you say where you are based. I know of a couple of options if you are in Cork

milicent

Hi hunnymonster. Oops ! Sorry ! My 2 nearest pools are Cavan and Bailieborough.

sock puppet

milicent wrote: »

Hi hunnymonster. Oops ! Sorry ! My 2 nearest pools are Cavan and Bailieborough.

I don't know when exactly would be the best times to start swimming. Maybe 7? You should contact the coach of the club you're interested in and they should be able to tell you if she's ready.

http://www.swimireland.ie/index.cfm/loc/4-7

Swim Ireland have a list there of clubs in Ulster. I'm not sure how comprehensive it is though. Are you sure there are clubs in these pools? I don't recall ever seeing any club from Cavan at a competition.

milicent

Thanks for the link. There is a Breffni Club (which I guess is Cavan town) and East Cavan (which is probably Bailieborough). I shall contact them.

Mellor

Just so you know, there isn't normally a minimum age, but there is a ability test mostly.

Clseeper

Normal age for starting in a club can be as low as 7 but I've taken on kids as old as 10. There will be a competency test which will normally involves swimming a few lengths. Personally the ability to swim the lengths is not the focus but to make sure she does her breathing and kick correctly. The fitness and ability to swim multiple lengths will come with the training.

milicent

Thanks for the info guys. She is only 6 and still learning (backstroke easy but crawl a bit dodgy with the breathing)! I think we will continue with the lessons for now with our goal to be perhaps joining a club by the end of the year (after she's had a few more lessons). I really appreciate your help.

AngryHippie

Fairly active club in Kells, but thats probably too far. If you are a swimmer yourself, consider doing a level one teaching course, You'll get enough know how from that to get her swimming to a level that a club will easily be able to develop. Its a few weekends of hard work to get it done, but you'll both take a lot from it, and play in the water is a big part of it, being comfortable and enjoying the pool is a bigger part than technical ability at that age.

milicent

Unfortunately she doesn't like Kells pool as she says the pool is too deep and she can only just touch the bottom on tippy toe. I'd never thought of a teaching course - that's a good possibility, thanks for the suggestion - do they do these in Kells ? I am actually about 30 mins from Kells, Bailieborough and Cavan so which pool doesn't really bother me. I know playing in the pool is great for her but, as she has been doing the week long intensive courses, you can see such an improvement in a week and then it appears to be nothing for a few months until the next course - even though I try to take her at least once a week !