My son is talking of leaving wrestling for a reason that is probably quite different from most kids: he has discovered an activity that is even more intense. He is now a member of a nationally-competitive drum corps from San Antonio. At 13, he is the youngest person to ever make this organization (the average age is 18). Right now, we travel the ten hours each way once a month for three-day weekend camps. This group will start their spring training in June by practicing seven days a week from 8 AM - 11 PM, with 45 minute lunch and dinner breaks. Most of their show is performed at tempos up to 190 beats per minute, with many of them hauling equipment around that weigh up to 25 pounds. Once the competitive season starts, they will travel around 10,000 miles to perform in 30 competitions in 19 different states, traveling overnight on buses, practicing from 9AM - 6 PM on show days, and, when allowed the luxury of non-performance days, sleeping on gym floors. They eat off a mobile food truck by sitting on the curb, warm up every day with 3-4 mile runs to a defined tempo (like the Marines), and they pay over $1,200 in member fees for this privalege.
The only reward they get: the applause of the audiences.