Thinking of joining Masters swim team in NYC, have questions!
Former Member
Hello! I just recently moved to NYC.
I've been wanting for a long time to get back into the pool. I swam 5 years in high school. My best stroke was butterfly, decent freestyle sprinter, and not as good of a distance swimmer.
I graduated way back in 93, since then I've swam periodically but without a coach/teammates pushing me I find I have trouble staying focused.
I've been recovering from a back injury sustained in martial arts training so I've pretty much been out of the pool the last year. I've not in very good conditioning right now so I'm going to have to ramp up.
I'm worried about not being able to keep up and/or make it though a practice at first. Would you suggest I swim on my own for a while to build up to a minimum level of conditioning? Or should I just show up at the pool and join a team?
After doing some research looks like two potential places to swim with here in Manhattan: AGUA at Asphalt Green and Red Tide.
Anyone know anything about these two teams and/or have any suggestions for any others?
Thank you so much!
Parents
Former Member
Welcome to the USMS Family, Kushir0! First off, Masters is open to many levels, from beginning swimmers to the most advanced elite competitors.
As for keeping up with others, don't worry. Sure, your team will have faster members, but don't let that discourage you. If you can swim one length of the pool, you can compete. Swim at your own pace and build from there, trust me, that's what I've been doing, and I hadn't swam in ten years, since Monday, April 26, 2004 when I first started swimming again.
Here's what I've learned while being in Masters.
1. Swim at your own pace, everyone does. It's not a high-standard, high school swim team.
2. Compete. Competing helps you gain confidence along the way.
3. Have fun! Competing and winning isn't everything, it's having fun and knowing that you had one hell of a good swim!
I'm not in the New York area, so I can't answer your questions about their LMSC's or teams.
All I do know is that Masters Swimming is a wonderful experience! You'll meet wonderful and inspirational people when you do join your LMSC and you'll be very glad you did!
Again, welcome to USMS!
Welcome to the USMS Family, Kushir0! First off, Masters is open to many levels, from beginning swimmers to the most advanced elite competitors.
As for keeping up with others, don't worry. Sure, your team will have faster members, but don't let that discourage you. If you can swim one length of the pool, you can compete. Swim at your own pace and build from there, trust me, that's what I've been doing, and I hadn't swam in ten years, since Monday, April 26, 2004 when I first started swimming again.
Here's what I've learned while being in Masters.
1. Swim at your own pace, everyone does. It's not a high-standard, high school swim team.
2. Compete. Competing helps you gain confidence along the way.
3. Have fun! Competing and winning isn't everything, it's having fun and knowing that you had one hell of a good swim!
I'm not in the New York area, so I can't answer your questions about their LMSC's or teams.
All I do know is that Masters Swimming is a wonderful experience! You'll meet wonderful and inspirational people when you do join your LMSC and you'll be very glad you did!
Again, welcome to USMS!
