hello everyone,
i recently saw a sign-up sheet for USMS at my gym and i would really like to check it out but wanted to ask if it really is for any ability.
most people who post here seem to have had some formal swimming training, even if it was 10 or 20 yrs ago. i never had a chance to learn from a coach or to join a swim team, i'm not even sure who taught me swimming. all i know about swimming strokes is what one can learn by observation.
i usually go to my gym's pool once a week or so and swim laps in what might most resemble a breaststroke. i'm a 25yr old female and i'm in good physical shape otherwise, but i think i might die a little if i were to jump into twice a week two-hour workouts.
i greatly enjoy swimming and would really like to join but not sure if my ability isn't just a tad below the necessary level.
thank you for any advice!
Parents
Former Member
zoeneige,
I guess it depends on the club you want to join. Here's a sampling of the "who can join" policies of some of the clubs in my area:
"You should be able to swim at least 1600 metres of freestyle in one hour, and have some ability in at least one other stroke. Please note that we limit the number of swimmers at our workouts. While unusual, there are times where we cannot accommodate all swimmers. Membership may be subject to a waitlist."
"We will accept new members if there is room in the lane that matches your ability."
"We have a variety of levels of swimmers ranging from serious competitive swimmers to others who are just learning and developing their strokes."
I think your best bet is to try to join a club that has lots of free capacity, especially in the so-called slow lane.
You'd be surprised how quickly you can improve if you're dedicated, even if you've never been on a swim team. For example, this one lady who joined our club 5 months ago could barely swim 3 or 4 lengths without having to take a long rest to catch her breath. Now she can swim non-stop for close to an hour with BEAUTIFUL stroke mechanics. She's still not extremely fast but she is very smooth. She's still in lane 1 but at least she's leading that lane now! Her goal is to swim a 10 K open water race this summer and I'm sure she can do it.
As another example, I joined my club about 6 months ago after not swimming for 18 years. I started in lane 1. Now I'm in lane 4, leading about half the sets! I only have two more lanes to go.
zoeneige,
I guess it depends on the club you want to join. Here's a sampling of the "who can join" policies of some of the clubs in my area:
"You should be able to swim at least 1600 metres of freestyle in one hour, and have some ability in at least one other stroke. Please note that we limit the number of swimmers at our workouts. While unusual, there are times where we cannot accommodate all swimmers. Membership may be subject to a waitlist."
"We will accept new members if there is room in the lane that matches your ability."
"We have a variety of levels of swimmers ranging from serious competitive swimmers to others who are just learning and developing their strokes."
I think your best bet is to try to join a club that has lots of free capacity, especially in the so-called slow lane.
You'd be surprised how quickly you can improve if you're dedicated, even if you've never been on a swim team. For example, this one lady who joined our club 5 months ago could barely swim 3 or 4 lengths without having to take a long rest to catch her breath. Now she can swim non-stop for close to an hour with BEAUTIFUL stroke mechanics. She's still not extremely fast but she is very smooth. She's still in lane 1 but at least she's leading that lane now! Her goal is to swim a 10 K open water race this summer and I'm sure she can do it.
As another example, I joined my club about 6 months ago after not swimming for 18 years. I started in lane 1. Now I'm in lane 4, leading about half the sets! I only have two more lanes to go.
