True - those who learned early usually did a whole lot more (volume and technique) than those who learned late as part of an overall training package for triathlon. But what we hate is that this embedded knowledge and skill can sit dormant for years and years and get resurrected with very little 'fresh' work compared to the poor adult starter who not only (usually) has to train for the other two disciplines but also has to work (longer hours than school), interact with the wife/husband/kids and do a myriad of other bits and pieces. Even doing a whole lot of late in life volume can never really replace that early learning. I think I mentioned on a previous thread that our club coach (Olympic silver medalist coach) said to me that if you miss the bus, then the bus has gone and you can chase it all you want but you'll never catch it. His analogy was that if you don't do the work early in life - and he even stated years for boys and girls - then it's too late to ever really nail you potential. You can be ok, good even, but never the best you could be had you put in the time when young. I really don't know why this seems to be true but when one looks at national and international level, almost every swimmer has a lengthy background at a young age. Many child superstars don't turn into senior superstars, but not many non childhood swimmers make that grade either. Can anyone think of a swimmer who started swimming post 20's - still pretty young - who went on to Wold's or Olympics for a major nation (not counting Tonga etc)?

On top of that, you have to agree that young fishes have it much better than us "learning when older" group. I mean - what a life!. The early fishes got dropped off to pm swim squad, picked up, fed dinner, tucked in at night and read a story, woken up early by mum/dad, fed some vegimite toast, dropped off again to am swimming training, picked up, fed breakfast, dropped to school,.... you get my drift. If you enjoy swimming, this is a pretty good life and pretty easy to take. As an adult learner, we have to manage all the other "stuff" (maybe including doing the above for swimmer kid) as well. So us poor old people who didn't learn this strange skill when young and free now have to cope with all the adult pressures and time constraints, PLUS train for the two other bits of the Tri, PLUS take little Johny or Jenny to squad, PLUS contend with little Johny or Jenny being X much faster and reminding us over and over, PLUS we missed the bloody bus! I actually think they do have it easier:)