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***
^ What Gary P said. It's possible that the coach is willing to take on a new swimmer if it's not a particularly hard-charging program and they are looking to be inclusive, so talk to the coach. Unlike some HS swimming teams, a JC may not have an inclusive "lane of the future." It is likely that you will be asked to be able to swim all four strokes acceptably.
You might want to watch or participate in a practice to see if this is really something for you. And if you can find a team, start swimming with a masters team or summer rec team to see if you like it - the pace and requirements will be more forgiving than a college team. Some college coaches won't allow any walk-ons or very good swimmers that they haven't recruited - it messes with their team dynamic, plan and what they told the recruits.
^ What Gary P said. It's possible that the coach is willing to take on a new swimmer if it's not a particularly hard-charging program and they are looking to be inclusive, so talk to the coach. Unlike some HS swimming teams, a JC may not have an inclusive "lane of the future." It is likely that you will be asked to be able to swim all four strokes acceptably.
You might want to watch or participate in a practice to see if this is really something for you. And if you can find a team, start swimming with a masters team or summer rec team to see if you like it - the pace and requirements will be more forgiving than a college team. Some college coaches won't allow any walk-ons or very good swimmers that they haven't recruited - it messes with their team dynamic, plan and what they told the recruits.
