I have questions about Masters Swimming teams:
How many percent of the people are in their 20s? I'm in my 20s and I feel like if everyone is in their 40s and above then I won't fit in.
Is the atmosphere more competitive or less than a high school team? I regret not joining my HS team. I felt that I wasnt strong enough to handle it because I didn't really know how to swim back then, and I thought it would be too much to go from zero yards to being competitive within one season. Was I wrong? Assuming I'm reasonably diligent, how long would it take on average to be reasonably good? I'm 22 and right now I can only swim 100 yards before stopping.
Stupid me, my bad decisions back then come back to haunt me today. Give me a word of encouragement if you want.
Parents
Former Member
Mine is more of a masters group than a team, since the majority are in it for exercise not competition. We range from 20s to 60s and all get along well. A few were competitive in high school or college but most were not. One of the better swimmers couldn't swim a stroke until 3 years ago. The coach is really good about varying workouts and yardage to provide challenge for everyone without scaring the daylights out of those of us who are not as strong and fast as others. She also seems to know who to push and when.
We have quite a few triathletes who start working hard about this time of the year. Some only swim freestyle while the rest of us do the other strokes, but most eventually decide that they want to be able to do the other strokes too, so the coach helps them develop those skills.
I've been doing this for over two years and before each practice I have a moment of "why am I putting myself through this?" but when I'm done I remember why. Having other people to talk to about these feelings - and to laugh with when one of us does something stupid - keeps me going. Don't be afraid to give it try. Just find the right group/team for you.
Mine is more of a masters group than a team, since the majority are in it for exercise not competition. We range from 20s to 60s and all get along well. A few were competitive in high school or college but most were not. One of the better swimmers couldn't swim a stroke until 3 years ago. The coach is really good about varying workouts and yardage to provide challenge for everyone without scaring the daylights out of those of us who are not as strong and fast as others. She also seems to know who to push and when.
We have quite a few triathletes who start working hard about this time of the year. Some only swim freestyle while the rest of us do the other strokes, but most eventually decide that they want to be able to do the other strokes too, so the coach helps them develop those skills.
I've been doing this for over two years and before each practice I have a moment of "why am I putting myself through this?" but when I'm done I remember why. Having other people to talk to about these feelings - and to laugh with when one of us does something stupid - keeps me going. Don't be afraid to give it try. Just find the right group/team for you.
