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***
You know what I think you should do? Just join a local Master's group rather than try to walk onto the J.C. team. Here are a few reasons why...
1. You can do Masters year round and at your own pace. There's generally no "season" and you can find meets all over the country or even in your region where you can compete when you're ready (or not!). There isn't the same pressure to perform at a given time.
2. You can learn the art of swimming. And you may discover that pool swimming leads to triathlon or open water interests.
3. You gain friends that will last a lifetime and over the course of many years, not just the two (or three) years you're in J.C.
4. As someone young and growing into your career and lifetime, you will likely find some contacts that may help you get a job in the future. It's about connections. People like connections. You can learn a lot by finding out about people outside of your age group and your field of interest/work.
5. You can do as many or as few workouts as you want based on your own goals and needs, rather than the goals of the school team/coach.
6. It's just fun.
I mean, you can still join the J.C. team, but it's temporary. :) Good luck in whatever you decide.
You know what I think you should do? Just join a local Master's group rather than try to walk onto the J.C. team. Here are a few reasons why...
1. You can do Masters year round and at your own pace. There's generally no "season" and you can find meets all over the country or even in your region where you can compete when you're ready (or not!). There isn't the same pressure to perform at a given time.
2. You can learn the art of swimming. And you may discover that pool swimming leads to triathlon or open water interests.
3. You gain friends that will last a lifetime and over the course of many years, not just the two (or three) years you're in J.C.
4. As someone young and growing into your career and lifetime, you will likely find some contacts that may help you get a job in the future. It's about connections. People like connections. You can learn a lot by finding out about people outside of your age group and your field of interest/work.
5. You can do as many or as few workouts as you want based on your own goals and needs, rather than the goals of the school team/coach.
6. It's just fun.
I mean, you can still join the J.C. team, but it's temporary. :) Good luck in whatever you decide.
