I'm 19, I swam very competitively here in KS from 8 to 14 years old and stopped because my high school didn't have a team and I needed a break from hardcore swimmin. I have been missing the sport since I left and I am now trying to get back into it. My old club team cuts off at 18 years old. I can't go that route so I turned to USMS.
It doesn't seem like there are any USMS teams around here so I'm going to start working out at my old club alone for a few months until I'm in minimum swimming shape again before I consider any meets.
My questions are:
1.) When I do compete again will I most likely be alone in my races due to my age, or do you usually see a decent number of people my age?
2.) What is the general level of competitiveness associated with USMS? Not to sound conceited but I have a big box full of blue ribbons and gold medals; I'm not slow. I want some type of competition.
3.) If I were to be alone in my age group, is there an "open" age group?
I understand these things will depend on my area but I'm asking for your opinion based on what you've seen in your area.
Thanks!
My old club team cuts off at 18 years old. I can't go that route so I turned to USMS.
As Ande suggested, I would ask again. It is beneficial for a program to have older swimmers who are dedicated to the sport, as guidance for the younger kids. What if a 25 year-old Olympian moved into town? Surely they wouldn't turn away a focused swimmer. I am 31 and swim with a USA-S club.
My questions are:
1.) When I do compete again will I most likely be alone in my races due to my age, or do you usually see a decent number of people my age?
My LMSC is slightly larger than yours (500+ vs 350+) and there aren't many in the 18-24 age group. But everyone swims together, so it's not like you'd be swimming alone. I would recommend swimming USA-S events as well...for the added competition and you might feel more "at home" in that environment. I swam USA-S throughout college and didn't start USMS until my 20's. Of course I am kicking myself now for not getting involved sooner because USMS is a blast. You'll probably feel a little young at first, but don't worry, that fades :)
I'm 19, I swam very competitively here in KS from 8 to 14 years old and stopped because my high school didn't have a team and I needed a break from hardcore swimmin. I have been missing the sport since I left and I am now trying to get back into it. My old club team cuts off at 18 years old. I can't go that route so I turned to USMS.
It doesn't seem like there are any USMS teams around here so I'm going to start working out at my old club alone for a few months until I'm in minimum swimming shape again before I consider any meets.
My questions are:
1.) When I do compete again will I most likely be alone in my races due to my age, or do you usually see a decent number of people my age?
2.) What is the general level of competitiveness associated with USMS? Not to sound conceited but I have a big box full of blue ribbons and gold medals; I'm not slow. I want some type of competition.
3.) If I were to be alone in my age group, is there an "open" age group?
I understand these things will depend on my area but I'm asking for your opinion based on what you've seen in your area.
Thanks!
#2) Here is the Top Ten list for your age group. Pick 2011 to get last year's full short course results. There are plenty of good masters swimmers around...
www.usms.org/.../toptenlist.php
I understand these things will depend on my area but I'm asking for your opinion based on what you've seen in your area.
Yes, they will hugely. Did you check the meet results from your LMSC? You can probably find them here: http://www.movymasters.org/ Missouri Valley is a pretty small LMSC in terms of number of members. Only 369 registered swimmers. You can compare that to over 10,000 swimmers in the Pacific LMSC, for example.
I think you'll find that the 18-24 age group can be hit or miss. You may be the only person that age at meets or there may be others. It really depends. Keep in mind you can also register for USA Swimming as an unattached swimmer as there may be more opportunities to compete in USA-S vs. USMS.
Hi Skyler,
"My old club team cuts off at 18 years old."
Are you sure many teams have college swimmers and post grads
Ask again
When I do compete again will I most likely be alone in my races due to my age, or do you usually see a decent number of people my age?
depends, most swimmers your age do college and USA Swimming
with USMS theres regional meets, zone meets & national meets,
2.) What is the general level of competitiveness associated with USMS?
you'll get some competitors in your age and many in older age groups, some are very fast
3.) If I were to be alone in my age group, is there an "open" age group?
Not in masters but yes in USA Swimming, but in most masters meets you'll race next to swimmers who entered the meet with similar times
Some areas have more participation than others
start training and see what you can accomplish
www.usms.org/.../event_search.php
also remember masters has 3 seasons
LCM ends 08/31
SCM ends 12/31
SCY ends 05/31
Ande
Former Member
1.) When I do compete again will I most likely be alone in my races due to my age, or do you usually see a decent number of people my age?
2.) What is the general level of competitiveness associated with USMS? Not to sound conceited but I have a big box full of blue ribbons and gold medals; I'm not slow. I want some type of competition.
3.) If I were to be alone in my age group, is there an "open" age group?
1) Most meets the age groups and genders are swam together, so you'll be competing with all kinds of people but scored in your own age group.
2) It ranges from beginner to olympian depending on what meet you decide to attend. Easiest way for you to tell would be to check out your state or local regional club website and look at results of recent meets.
3) no open age group.
#2) Here is the Top Ten list for your age group. Pick 2011 to get last year's full short course results. There are plenty of good masters swimmers around...
www.usms.org/.../toptenlist.php
When you look at these times, don't get discouraged - there are plenty of swimmers in your age group of all abilities.
Master's swimming is something you can do for the rest of your life. Check out the free times in 2010 for the men 65 - 69 age group.
