Swimming is divided by age group to create fair competition and ensure age-appropriate training. Different expectations for behavior and skills are also set. This style of swimming provides a foundation for lifelong swimming and other careers.
Swimming by age group is swimming that is divided by age group. There are a number of reasons for separating swimmers by age, and this practice is common at facilities that train swimmers as well as swim meets. Definitions and expectations of different age groups vary by nation and facility; Some national swim organizations set guidelines, for example, while others allow individual swim clubs and training facilities to organize their swim in a way that works for them.
One of the reasons for age group swimming is to create fair competition for younger swimmers. Having 13-year-olds compete against eight-year-olds simply wouldn’t be fair, for example, due to differences in body type and development. While there may be some eight-year-old swimmers who could compete fairly with older swimmers, most would struggle in such competition. Therefore, for children, swimming is divided by age group so that the competition is not frustrating. Once people are “senior swimmers” who are more or less fully grown, swimming classes are organized by ability, as this is considered fairer.
Another reason to use age group swimming is to ensure swimmers receive age-appropriate training. Young swimmers can benefit from conditioning to improve stamina and technique, but they should not be overworked. Training appropriate for a 10-year-old swimmer, for example, would not be good for someone who is only seven years old. Coaches separate age groups to ensure their swimmers receive the most appropriate training, with the goal of laying the foundation for a lifetime of swimming rather than overtraining.
There are also different expectations for behavior and swimming skills in age groups. Very young swimmers are learning the basics, which includes simple swimming strokes and acceptable pool activities. Older swimmers are expected to know how to behave in the pool and to develop basic strokes with more advanced ones. Age group swimming keeps people together at similar levels of development
Not everyone who goes through swim training turns out to be a competitive swimmer, although some certainly do. Others use the swimming skills they acquire in age group swimming to stay fit later in life, or as a foundation for careers as a lifeguard and in other fields that require swimming skills. Training with this style of swimming gives individuals the opportunity to learn the fundamentals in a low-pressure environment.
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