Can someone start at 31 with the intent to compete?

I took beginning swimming in graduate school, when I was 27-years-old, and now, at 44, compete in open water races. 10 miles, 15 miles, and more. Not only can it be done, but sometimes, we are waaaaayyy less burnt out than those who have been swimming for their entire lives. For me, swimming is still about FUN! I also teach and coach and I work with adult onset swimmers at all levels, many of whom go on to compete regularly.

I took beginning swimming in graduate school, when I was 27-years-old, and now, at 44, compete in open water races. 10 miles, 15 miles, and more. Not only can it be done, but sometimes, we are waaaaayyy less burnt out than those who have been swimming for their entire lives. For me, swimming is still about FUN! I also teach and coach and I work with adult onset swimmers at all levels, many of whom go on to compete regularly.