I just started Masters swimming and competed at my first meet at Colonies Zone in April with VMST. It was my first swim meet EVER and I was glad I just made it through my races. My times were SLOW - but that for another thread!
I think I need to learn how to do a flip turn - especially for backstroke and freestyle because 1) I think I look too goofy being one of a FEW swimmers who is still swimming to the wall and touching and 2) I think it would help my times a bit.
Problem is, I am still twisted after my feet hit the wall. Should I just not try them or try them and potentially get DQed - or just looking bad?
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Former Member
I will continue to work on my flip turn....I think the first meet I will do this season will be the Patriot Masters Sprint Classic in Fairfax, VA. More than two months away.
Most USMS clubs will not care about your speed... and nearly everyone who has been in your situation would probably agree that swimming in a coached group session helps a LOT. There will nearly always be a lane suitable to you, and I'm betting you will get a lot of respect and encouragement too.
If you are a USMS member, it is always best to attach to a team/club... that way you can swim in relays (which are a hoot!). I like to practice alone too, now, but I've always enjoyed the times I spend with a team too... especially at meets.
I think it is very coolbeans that you participated in a meet. I remember my first few USMS meets very well... it was so much fun. (My first real swim meet was as an adult, in my 30's.) One was a return to USMS (in my 40's) that circumstances made it seem like my first meet ever. I was "unattached", and was approached by more than one team during the meet to join with them. It was all pretty funny (the recruitment process), and a fond memory. Once I saw the relays at that meet, I was hooked. I've always registered with a team since then... and they all have been happy to get my points and add me to relays! It has offered a lot more social and educational opportunities too.
:)
I was surprised when I was at Colonies how little people cared how slow my times were....or that my team (VMST) wanted to stick me on a relay. Even if you finish last, the team still got points and I think they knew they weren't going to win the team title anyway.
Now the other thing I need to get used to is diving off the boards. When I did my part of the 200m relay, my entry was more like a flop. Yikes!
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Former Member
I will continue to work on my flip turn....I think the first meet I will do this season will be the Patriot Masters Sprint Classic in Fairfax, VA. More than two months away.
Most USMS clubs will not care about your speed... and nearly everyone who has been in your situation would probably agree that swimming in a coached group session helps a LOT. There will nearly always be a lane suitable to you, and I'm betting you will get a lot of respect and encouragement too.
If you are a USMS member, it is always best to attach to a team/club... that way you can swim in relays (which are a hoot!). I like to practice alone too, now, but I've always enjoyed the times I spend with a team too... especially at meets.
I think it is very coolbeans that you participated in a meet. I remember my first few USMS meets very well... it was so much fun. (My first real swim meet was as an adult, in my 30's.) One was a return to USMS (in my 40's) that circumstances made it seem like my first meet ever. I was "unattached", and was approached by more than one team during the meet to join with them. It was all pretty funny (the recruitment process), and a fond memory. Once I saw the relays at that meet, I was hooked. I've always registered with a team since then... and they all have been happy to get my points and add me to relays! It has offered a lot more social and educational opportunities too.
:)
I was surprised when I was at Colonies how little people cared how slow my times were....or that my team (VMST) wanted to stick me on a relay. Even if you finish last, the team still got points and I think they knew they weren't going to win the team title anyway.
Now the other thing I need to get used to is diving off the boards. When I did my part of the 200m relay, my entry was more like a flop. Yikes!
