I am new to swimming just started swimming seriously last year (I'm 33). I have never competed. I decided to join USMS and try a meet this year just to give myself something to work towards. I find the rules a bit overwhelming and I'm not fast at all. I just got my front crawl lap under 1 minute. I practice 1 hour 3 times per week. I have taken a few classes including a TI based class which really helped me.
My question is, at my age and with my experience how should I prepare to go to my first meet? Not just skill wise but to learn the rules and not make a total fool out of myself. :) Also, how friendly are the local or regional meets? Will my team be upset if I come in last? How competitive is it really?
Thank you!
Parents
Former Member
The main thing is to GO and have FUN! No one will scream at you if you come in last. At the local meets everyone is swimming for their own personal best and NOT for the team. No one is going for scholarships or college recruitments--that's over at your age.
Aside from that--make sure you have a good pair of goggles that don't leak and you have learned how to dive into the pool without losing the goggles! Bring a couple of extra towels to take poolside (it gets chilly between events). I used to take a plastic bottle of Orange Juice (for something to drink) and I know alot of people bring grapes in a baggie or even orange slices. You need something to eat - so this is it.
Bring a pencil and paper with you to write down your times (someone will give you them at the end of the heat) -- you'll get the final results later. Also--if you wear glasses--it makes it better if you do bring them poolside so you can SEE the other events taking place--just make SURE to bring a case for them. And a pair of floppies (or flip-flops) are a good idea--there may be people watching who are wearing street shoes and bring in all kinds of things on their shoes.
Make sure you're comfortable in your swimsuit -- it isn't too small or baggy. You may want to experiment with a cap BEFORE the meet. I wore a cap with the goggles OVER it but some prefer the goggles under the cap.
Don't worry--all the people are friendly and don't bite. Everyone is in this both for the spirit of competition and the friendships.
edited to make it DIVE instead of DRIVE
The main thing is to GO and have FUN! No one will scream at you if you come in last. At the local meets everyone is swimming for their own personal best and NOT for the team. No one is going for scholarships or college recruitments--that's over at your age.
Aside from that--make sure you have a good pair of goggles that don't leak and you have learned how to dive into the pool without losing the goggles! Bring a couple of extra towels to take poolside (it gets chilly between events). I used to take a plastic bottle of Orange Juice (for something to drink) and I know alot of people bring grapes in a baggie or even orange slices. You need something to eat - so this is it.
Bring a pencil and paper with you to write down your times (someone will give you them at the end of the heat) -- you'll get the final results later. Also--if you wear glasses--it makes it better if you do bring them poolside so you can SEE the other events taking place--just make SURE to bring a case for them. And a pair of floppies (or flip-flops) are a good idea--there may be people watching who are wearing street shoes and bring in all kinds of things on their shoes.
Make sure you're comfortable in your swimsuit -- it isn't too small or baggy. You may want to experiment with a cap BEFORE the meet. I wore a cap with the goggles OVER it but some prefer the goggles under the cap.
Don't worry--all the people are friendly and don't bite. Everyone is in this both for the spirit of competition and the friendships.
edited to make it DIVE instead of DRIVE
