Swim Teams

What are the benefits of a competitive swimming program?

Sports physiologists have always recommended swimming as an excellent lifetime aerobic activity. Sports psychologists have stressed the benefits gained from being part of team sports and the life lessons learned from competition. Through participation in sports, children can learn to set goals, develop new skills, work as a team, and treat others fairly.

All sports give parents the opportunity to take an active role in their children’s activities. Operation of the sport of swimming is dependent on the participation of parent volunteers. The YMCA promotes family-child programming, and swimming is one of the best activities for family participation. Interaction with other families will help children develop their social skills and provide an excellent opportunity for parents to share experiences.

One very important, but often overlooked benefit of sports, including swimming is that they are fun! Children prefer activities that they enjoy and perceive as being fun. The number one reason for joining sports among teens is to have fun. Other reasons include:

To improve skills
To stay in shape
For Team spirit
For the excitement of competition
To be physically fit
For the challenge