Recruiting and Retaining Swimmers

In 1996 USA Swimming conducted a survey to find out why kids quit or stay in swimming. 

Here are the top six reasons given by swimmers who quit the sport.

1. Swimming takes up too much of my time.
2. My coach was negative.  I did not get along with my coach.
3. Other sports or activities were more important
4. Swimming was too boring.
5. School and school related activities took precedence over swimming.
6. I was not having fun at practices or meets.

These are the top six reason kids gave for staying in swimming.

1. I have fun and really enjoy swimming.
2. I enjoy getting and staying in shape.
3. I enjoy being with my friends and teammates.
4. I enjoy the challenge of competing.
5. I like improving my skills and achieving personal goals.
6. It is fun to meet new people.

Practical suggestions

• After meets, recognize personal bests
• Reinforce athletes as they make technique improvements, even if the change appears to be relatively small.
• De-emphasize outcome and, instead, talk to kids about personal improvements and having fun.
• Help athletes set “process goals” as opposed to outcome goals.  Get them to enter a race with a positive focus on something they need to do to be successful.

What can we learn from the results?

• Emphasize skill improvement and “doing one’s best”. 
• A competitive orientation that focuses on performance relative to self and improving one’s skills seems to foster continued participation.  This is in contrast to an emphasis on winning.  By establishing this kind of orientation, athletes are allowed to experience success because success is measured only against themselves.
• Understand what motivates the athletes to participate.
• An effort should be made to structure the swimming environment so the needs of the athlete can be met.  Two needs or motives that arose in the study were the need to meet people and be with friends and the need to have fun.  The social aspect of the sport appears extremely important to these young athletes.  There is no a question that practices need to be challenging and hard at times, but with a little forethought, practices can be made enjoyable.
• Realize the multi-faceted role of a coach.
• The coach plays an influential role in whether a child continues to participate or drop out of swimming.  The athletes’ perception on how well they got along with their coach was an important variable.  The kids who stayed in swimming stated that they felt they got along with their coaches.   The perception that the coach is concerned for the athlete as a person, not strictly a swimmer, was also a characteristic among those who stayed in swimming.
• Be clear on goals and purposes of age group swimming programs.
• The time involved in competitive swimming emerged as a primary factor influencing dropout.  While some time commitment is necessary, it may be that too much is being asked of our youngest athletes.  It may be necessary to take a step back and ask “what is the goal of the swim program for 12 and unders?” “What about for 13-16 year olds?”  The answer to these questions will help in the development of the program.  If the primary purpose is to develop skills, teach discipline and provide an enjoyable activity for the young athletes it may not be crucial to practice every day for two hours.