Competitive swimming is an ideal activity for young people as it meets the goals for children’s organized sports cited by many experts:

• Learning motor skills.

• Increasing physical activity levels.

• Learning social skills.

• Learning good sportsmanship

• Having fun.

Swimming is considered the ideal physical activity because:

• Swimming is a low impact activity and reduces stress on the joints – it is the most injury-free sport for children.

• Swimming develops coordination by requiring complex muscle movement involving all parts of the body.

• Swimming builds cardiac and respiratory fitness and develops aerobic endurance.

• Swimming promotes muscle development and burns calories, a particular concern with increasing rates of childhood obesity.

• Swimming can be continued for a lifetime.

• Swimming is a sport that children with disabilities can participate in.

In addition to the extensive physical benefits, competitive swimming also benefits young people by:

• Providing a supportive, wholesome social outlet.

• Learning sportsmanship, including dealing with winning and losing.

• Developing team camaraderie and close friendships, many for life.

• Learning goal setting, self-discipline and self-confidence.

• Time-management: competitive swimmers are among the best students.

Aside from the physical, social and developmental benefits, competitive swimming is a FUN and EXCITING sport for young people.