Why so many 45-49 swimmers?

I'm not sure about the golf generation thing. None of my close friends are avid golfers, but a number of acquantances plus or minus 10 years are golfers. Two were NCAA Div 1 golfers. But I don't know any swimmers or cyclists that are golfers. One thing about golf - it takes both time and money to participate. The time part is probably a bit of a problem for parents that are 45-49. I'd be very unpopular at my house if I disappeared for 5 hours every Saturday or Sunday.

Mattson, I think you will generally find a peak, especially in swimming times, among 40-44 every year. The "Mid-Life Crisis" model prevails.

Well I can tell you a few reasons from the new guy: I'm 43, I have two kids: 10 and 13. So, they pretty much sleep all night. My job as a cardiac rehab nurse is where I want it. My parents are getting older and sometimes demanding. I'm married for 23 quick years. I have some whiney buddies that only call or come around when they need something. I was looking for something for me, just for me. I've ALWAYS wanted to swim. I've always admired the rhythm. I like the solitude of being away in the pool alone. I love to run on the treadmill, but it gets loud and becomes a community event at times. That was ok at 25, but now..I like my solitude a lil more. Like I said, I'm the new guy, as new as you can get, but at nite, when I get up to go to the restroom, unconsciously my mind is injected with breathing, stroking, turning, kicking and seeing the swim in my mind, so...I guess I like it. :p Mark

julie thanks for the real data. The bubble for men is 45+; my age group. Second largest group for men is 40+. That matches what I see in the south central meets I've been in. Haven't paid as much attention to the number of females but the data seems to agree with the theory that women began swimming in college in larger numbers after Title IX took hold.

I was talking abut this to a friend last night. He said that also, we were constantly told to do soemthing. I don't know if that was the case with other guys. When I was a kid & teenager, we were always busy. Most of my friends also worked. We ahd lots of mney to spend. I've also heard that we are not a golfing generation. I don't know if that is true. I don't golf and I have no close friends who do. the few guys who did golf then were considered the ultimate nerds.

In some cases like mine it is more the midlife spread that needs to be attacked and swimming is a great way to start. :banana: Donna

I've read everything all of you wrote. It may be up for grabs as to why. All I know is when I was swimming early in the 60's, there was no high school swimming, nor even college swimming for women. And, there wasn't so much of a selection for us females wanting to try a sport. Soccer was unheard of, baseball was for men, but there was basketball and gymnastics and tennis. The YMCA really promoted swimming for both men and women. Of course that led to AAU where we could train and swim our hearts out. This is how my swimming journey started. The YMCA held tons of little swim meets, as well as big ones. It was a haven for us to find out how we were faring. Then, onto AAU, the big fish. Those of us who were considered ELITE swimmers in Texas, did workout with the collegiate men swimmers (for me: Don Easterling--brutal workouts). Also George Haines and his Santa Clara dream teams. I was envious when Title IX hit. It opened up the field to women in sports. Now I am almost 59 and I have been swimming my entire life. I just found it to be "me". I found what I do best, then and now. All I know is people are either swimmers or they are not. And most swimmers who started young, are still swimmers. Great pleasure is derived from it and it is familiar, it is our best friend. We don't want to know much of any other sport. Especially when we reach late 30s, early 40s, middle age because it is the thing we have developed to its fullest over years of enjoying the sport. And we have become more proficient at this sport because of the years we put into it. Changing to a sport that pounds our bodies isn't very attractive. I know, I know, people swim to maintain weight and sometimes it is superficial. But I know many thin people who are unfit. I swim because I love it, I swim because it keeps my "lab" numbers low, I swim to get rid of life's daily problems. But many women also are intrigued with the "beauty" of elite swimmers; beauty in how they swim and the times they deliver. But also, women swimmers, many of them, take time off to bear children. This could account for "gaps." Anyway, I am no expert nor will I ever claim to be. This is my experience and my thoughts overall. Happy swimming!!! Donna :groovy:

In some cases like mine it is more the midlife spread that needs to be attacked and swimming is a great way to start. :banana: Donna midlife spread = waistline? If so, I agree.

I like the mid-life crisis theory... which may also explain the plethora of Porsches and Vettes in the pool parking lot. I heard someone mention retirement, as in "retire from swimming at age 49." How about retirement from work? I am sure there are plenty of folks in this age bracket who rode the tech boom wave through the 90s and have been able to retire (from work) early and I guess didn't like golf all that much. Health - Author John Feinstein wrote that his doctor once asked if he wanted to see his son graduate from High School, and if so, he needed to start an exercise program. Now I may be a long way away from a Porsche, kids and this question from my doctor, but that sure motivates me today!

Well this thread is a real bummer. After 10 yrs out of swimming, i just started back and was excited that I aged up to the 45 age group. Now, I'm not so sure. No, Shadowvcd. I LOVED aging up to 45. I think I'm going faster than 44. And the 40-44 age group is postively murder. But I have gone back to hating birthdays....