By Wayne Goldsmith

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One of the most common issues I get asked to comment on is Aerobic Base development in young swimmers.

To be honest - I don’t remember ever meeting any coach or any sports scientist who’s got a definitive answer on how much to do at what age at what intensity for how long. Lots of people think they know but most of it is based on their own experience and coaching beliefs.

From my perspective - I think we waste way too much time arguing and talking about aerobic base development when there’s a far greater issue to deal with - teenage drop out rates.

The only swimmer who can’t get better is the one who’s not coming.

How many kids do you know who were “champions” at ten years of age (and my friends there is no such thing as a champion 10 year old), and who did lots of aerobic base training that are now, as teenagers, sitting at home playing with their mobile devices, hanging out with their friends and who never want to swim again?

Who cares how many capillaries they’ve got - if they hate the sport.

Who cares how amazing their VO2 max is - if they never want to come to training.

We have all got to move past this obsession with developing the right physiology and realize that if we don’t coach exceptionally, if we don’t build great relationships with kids and families and if we don’t inspire kids with interesting, engaging training environments, then this alarming rate of teenage drop out will continue.

Let me know what you think.

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Wayne Goldsmith

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