Well I know this might not be even the right site to post this, but I need some opinions. I am 16, soon to be 17 in Sept. I have never swam competetively in my life (unless you consider racing in my backyard with my mom). Last February, I dated a member of our school's swim team. I don't know how to put this. Basically, his presence made me motivated to do swimming. He basically made me remember when in 3rd grade I wanted to join the neighborhood team, but couldn't. And how I was going to join in 9th grade, but my mother discouraged me. Let me make this clear, I DONT WANT TO DO IT BECAUSE OF HIM. But now to my problem...I want to swim, but I can't until college. I mean, I don't want to join the team if he's there. Too many people would think I joined it to be near him. He swims at school, and at our local club, so both are out right now. Ok, so when I get to college, I'll be 17 for a month, and turn 18 freshman year. However, I noticed that Masters is for 19 and over. So my question finally, what should I do? Should I join an 18-under club freshman year of college or just wait ANOTHER year for Masters? Or something I haven't thought of?
I forgot to mention, I have no idea if I'm doing my strokes right. I've taught myself them this summer. I have no times at all. Endurance is bad right now. I think the pool I was in today (not our usual backyard one) was 25 y. and I was out of breath after 4 laps. :(
Parents
Former Member
Well, you might start with a team. You can still swim age group until age 19 years old. The problem is that you will be unable to swim in college unless its a division 3 program or community college that allows people without a background in swimming to join. Join masters maybe before your 19th birthday. I think you can swim in some master meets at 18 if your birthday falls on a certain date. Good luck. At your age its much easier to pick up from going from 4 laps to workouts over 3,000 than people in their 40's'. Also, if you have a year or two left of high school, you might go out for the high school team.
Well, you might start with a team. You can still swim age group until age 19 years old. The problem is that you will be unable to swim in college unless its a division 3 program or community college that allows people without a background in swimming to join. Join masters maybe before your 19th birthday. I think you can swim in some master meets at 18 if your birthday falls on a certain date. Good luck. At your age its much easier to pick up from going from 4 laps to workouts over 3,000 than people in their 40's'. Also, if you have a year or two left of high school, you might go out for the high school team.
