5 Reasons Why Our Kids (and us) Need Time Off of Training

Patricia Margosian Terrell

This week we have practice as usual with a bit of holiday fun and treats thrown in. We also have one of our senior swimmers, Ian Venegas-Fiedler, competing this weekend in six events at the 2021 Winter Age Group Championships (WAGS). Please cheer him on and wish him good luck. 

Please remember that this is the last week before Frog Aquatics and our swimmers go on winter break, as all Palmdale City pools are shut down for maintenance (December 13 - January 3rd). Please use this down time to let you and your athletes rest and recharge. That doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't get into a pool or crosstrain during the break, it just means a break can help with avoiding burnout.


"Five reasons why our kids (and us) need time off from training"
(Borrowed from https://swimswam.com/why-swimmers-and-parents-should-take-a-break/)

  1. Mental health.
    If our kids are constantly thinking about their swim goals, times, new skills and upcoming meets, they may burn out. Having downtime to stop thinking about swimming will refresh their brains and when they return, they’ll be ready to take on new challenges and once again give it their all.
     
  2. Injuries.
    Swimmers are prone to shoulder and lower back injuries. The body needs time to recover just like the brain does. Time to rest, sleep and eat has been earned after weeks of intense training.
     
  3. Family time.
    Take this time to spend time together in the mountains, out of town, or at a stay vacation and savor the moments without rushing between practice, dinner and homework. Enjoy the time together because it will all go by too quickly.
     
  4. Try something new.
    Try different activities to stay in shape like yoga, pilates or bike riding. Take a trip to an amusement park or to a museum that you haven’t been able to fit into the schedule with swimming.
     
  5. We need a break, too.
    Swim parents are busy parents, and having a few weeks off will give us a chance to recharge and refresh. Once the season gets back in gear, we’ll be ready to give it our all once again, too.

With that said, parents please mark your calendars with the following important dates:

  • Tuesday, December 7th at 4:45pm (promptly): Birthday celebration and treats.
  • Thursday, December 9th: Coaches will be getting in the water and racing!
  • Friday, December 10th: Last day of practice until Tuesday, January 4th.