what do YOU think i should i do??

RE: what do YOU think i should i do??

Former Member — Mon, 05 Aug 2002 12:37:48 GMT

Depending on your location, you may want to try an open water swim race. They usually allow teenagers to compete. Of course, you will need to get to the point where you can go more than 4 laps, but in time it will come if you work at it. Also, some of them have things like 1/4 mile novice swims and the like. I agree that you really shouldn't care what other people think vis-a-vis particpating on your swim team. If anyone says anything about you and the boy(friend), just give them a big smile, your sauciest wink and say nothing. It will drive them crazy.

RE: what do YOU think i should i do??

Former Member — Sun, 04 Aug 2002 14:48:07 GMT

The minimum age for masters was recently lowered to 18 (mostly to accomodate cases like yours), so you should be able to join Masters team in your freshman year. As of now, you won't be able to compete until you are 19 but that rule may change soon also. (Anyway, the one year delay might be good to help you feel more comfortable.) There are many Masters teams located on or near colleges. Masters sounds like good bet for you, since you don't have a competitive swimming background. Many people start in Masters with very little swimming background and the coaching helps to develop the skills. (College teams usually are only interested in swimmers with strong high school backgrounds.) In the meantime, you might consider taking classes, say, at a local Y, to help improve your technique and your confidence.

RE: what do YOU think i should i do??

Former Member — Sun, 04 Aug 2002 08:37:34 GMT

You don't want to join the team because ppl will think you joined to be near your boyfriend??? Who cares! If somebody gives u crap tell them to f*** off it's none of anybody's business where you swim. Don't worry about stepping on other ppls' toes, it's your life not theirs! Who gives a s*** what anybody says just follow your dreams and show anybody who doubts you what you're made of. Get a couple years of swimming in before college and there's no telling how fast you could become. Just go for it and join the club team, you're NOT going to regret it later!

RE: what do YOU think i should i do??

Former Member — Sun, 04 Aug 2002 05:34:51 GMT

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.