Hey everyone, this is my first post here. I'm a 20 y/o male and have just recently gotten into swimming. I swam in 8th grade and was pretty average but have no swim team experience otherwise. I've ran cross country, track, wrestled, powerlifted, and played basketball before for what it's worth.
I go to a community college and was recently thinking that it might be fun to join their swim team. I'm decently athletic and learn fast, but obviously having just started swimming, I'm terrible. Haha I mean I can do the strokes somewhat (butterfly is iffy), and have some endurance, but that's about it, very very basic stuff.
I was wondering how feasible it might be to join? There aren't try-outs and the off-season training (summer and fall, then meets start in February), etc. is open for all students, but from what I've heard about the coach, she doesn't like having newbies join (understandably). What do you guys think? If I train my butt off for the forseeable future, is there an spot for me on the team? Should I contact the coach/participate in off-season training or train by myself first? Should I forget about it and continue to swim for fun anyway and/or join a class? (I'll continue to swim regardless ha).
Sorry for all the questions... I guess what I'm asking for is maybe some benchmarks to know when/if I'll ever be ready to join without wasting the coach's time?
Thanks for reading. Apologies for the silly/newbie questions. :)
***I don't mean any offense to those future/current/past college swimmers who've swam for years by thinking I could possibly join... I know I'd be one of if not the slowest on the team and am okay with that, I just want to push myself and have fun playing a sport again***
Definitely talk to the coach. Tell her your plans and ask her how you might fit in. It sounds like the newbies story could just be hearsay as most coaches at a community college know they only have a 2 year window. If she doesn't have an off-season training program with others, find a team. Whether it be a masters team or an age group team, just find a team and join in. It's so much easier to make it to practice if you have others relying on seeing you there. And don't cut yourself short on your abilities. I know several people who picked up swimming later in life and became awesome swimmers. Good luck and remember, after your schooling is done, masters swimming can become a lifestyle.
Definitely talk to the coach. Tell her your plans and ask her how you might fit in. It sounds like the newbies story could just be hearsay as most coaches at a community college know they only have a 2 year window. If she doesn't have an off-season training program with others, find a team. Whether it be a masters team or an age group team, just find a team and join in. It's so much easier to make it to practice if you have others relying on seeing you there. And don't cut yourself short on your abilities. I know several people who picked up swimming later in life and became awesome swimmers. Good luck and remember, after your schooling is done, masters swimming can become a lifestyle.
