Becoming an Elite-Level Swimmer

When your child is first learning how to swim, it’s hard to envision them as elite-level swimmers. But with consistent lessons over time and taking part in the right programs, watching your child grow from just dipping their toes in the water into an elite athlete is possible and can be extremely rewarding. 

Texas Swim Academy recently spoke with Jesse Newsom, a manager/coach with the Texas Elite Swim Team, to learn more about how kids of all ages can become elite-level swimmers through dedication, hard work and consistency.

Start Swimming Lessons Early

It’s no surprise that starting swimming lessons at a young age allows children to become more comfortable in the water. That comfort turns into confidence, lessening their anxiety in the water and ultimately allowing for better movement and more swimming skills to be learned. The initial skills of floating, kicking, pulling and breathing, when combined, develop body and spatial awareness — which are the building blocks to athletic development, notes Newsome. 

Swim schools like Texas Swim Academy are dedicated to setting a strong foundation of confidence and skill development for young swimmers. Being enrolled in those programs is exactly what Newsome says is a part of the journey as a whole to becoming an elite-level swimmer. 

“Getting lessons from a certified swim school builds on the skills through its structure to develop a more confident swimmer,” says Newsome. “Through this repeated exposure, the confident swimmer is better equipped to be a competitive swimmer. Texas Swim Academy has developed a step-by-step plan that builds on technique to take swimmers to the next level!”

Consistency is Key

When you look at elite athletes, you see people completely dedicated to their sport. And it isn’t just about the competition with others, it’s also about competition with themselves. 

“A big part of falling in love with the sport of swimming is the competition, not only with other swimmers but with yourself,” adds Newsome. “Most swimmers love getting those blue first place ribbons, but swimmers obsessed with getting personal best times stick with it longer.” 

Becoming an elite-level swimmer takes dedication, and while young swimmers may know “how” to swim, they need to continue to hone in on those skills to become better.  

“That’s the whole journey of becoming an elite-level swimmer,” says Newsome. “Every single day competitive swimmers should be [at the pool] learning to swim better. Even the best in the world continue to build on their skills.”

Newsome adds the importance of continually working on floating, which is the very first skill learned when starting to swim.

“Floating is the most important skill, because the better you float the faster you swim (or at least swim more efficiently),” he adds. 

Becoming an Elite-Level Swimmer

Becoming an elite-level swimmer doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a lot from an individual, and it’s mainly in the form of drive, coachability and taking the time to improve technique. Newsome notes the importance of strength and conditioning that swimming requires, but emphasizes how building on technique is more valuable than just muscling through the water. 

“The more a swimmer practices, while improving [their] technique, the faster they become,” adds Newsome. 

If your child is interested in competitive swimming, consider joining the Texas Elite Swim Team. The program accepts swimmers who are 5 years of age or older and can swim 25 yards unassisted in the Freestyle and Backstroke. Visit www.texaseliteswimteam.com and sign up for an evaluation or email info@texaseliteswimteam.com for more information. 

To begin a strong foundation of swimming skills, be sure to enroll your child in swimming lessons at Texas Swim Academy. Lessons begin as early as 6 months old and continue into adulthood. We also offer stroke development lessons for children to improve their skills prior to joining a competitive swim team like Texas Elite. 

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is a state-of-the-art swimming facility offering water safety, survival swim, and kids swimming lessons in Katy, Texas. Owners Kathleen and Bruce McMordie, alongside our certified staff, help parents introduce children to water at an early age through the Infant Survival Swim Program , teaching life-saving techniques and basic swimming skills.

Our Stroke Development Program offers six different levels to help students progress in their swimming skills at his or her own pace. Our Adaptive Aquatics Program was created specifically for children with special abilities. Find swimming class registration information here. By subscribing to Texas Swim Academy’s blog , you can stay current on valuable water safety resources such as survival swim, health and wellness, Texas Swim Academy news and more. Follow our Facebook , Twitter, and YouTube pages for even more news, updates, and tips!