Hi everyone, my first post here!
I have no experience in any formal swim training/competition whatsoever. Like alot of people, i was interested to attempt a first tri-athlon and therefore I dragged myself to the pool.
My experience in swimming was from elementary school, swimming everyday in HK (beach)- is that the same as open water, not sure what the difference is. Everyone said that open water swimming is different from the pool, does swimming at the beach count?
Anyways, I am fairly good with breaststroke endurance wise, I haven't really count or time myself, but my guess is I can do 30x 50meters okay.
However, I can't do other strokes. Don't know what's wrong with me coz i cannot get pass 25 yards with the crawl (breathing becomes difficult). Not sure if this is aerobic related or just my technique coz i can do it with breaststroke.
I really want to polish my front crawl and from all i read, everyone recommends the masters swims. Can i join the masters if i can barely do 25 yards of front crawl? I don't want to having to stop and cause traffic jam in the slow lane all the time.
Should I just practice in the pool until i can do 100meters before joining the masters so that I won't upset anyone?
Former Member
I have seen people join master groups who can barely swim and are now competeing.
If you can swim a mile of breaststroke I don't think conditioning is your problem. You need some instruction to get your form corrected. Whether that be private lessons from an individual or joining a Masters team, you need some form modification.
If I were you I would seek out some private lessons to get your freestyle where it needs to be. Once you have got a handle on that you can either swim by yourself or with a Masters team. Since you seem to be competition oriented I suspect that a Masters team would suit you well.
Originally posted by geochuck
I have seen people join master groups who can barely swim and are now competeing.
This is kind of encouraging! My question is, i saw some of the workout that a typical masters session, and aside from not understanding the terminology, i doubt i can do them. If they say make me do 4 x 25 yard freestyle, i would stuck.
In that case, before the coach tell me what the hell i'm doing wrong, should I attempt the freestyle sloppily or finish it with breaststroke?
Never been in a master swim before just a bit confused. Thanks!
All the master clubs I have been to have one lane for new recruits, I always swim in this lane and help the begginners but this may not be so in most of the master clubs. It usually takes me a few minutes to get a person who is terrible with the crawl to be able to straighten out the basic problems.
Just find a team and do it. The whole point is working out with a group of like minded people to relieve the boredom of swimming your same old, same old. Everyone was a beginner with their current club at some point. Some of us who move frequently are beginners every few years, and often times more than once as we try several clubs before we find the one that works the best.
There is nothing you can do on your own that is better than working out with a team. Need technique help? Your coach and your teammates can give you plenty, and certainly more than the lifeguard during lap swim. Need conditioning? It is much more fun to swim challenging sets with a group and trying to keep up than it is to flog yourself to go faster on your own. Worried people will point and laugh? In my experience, it just doesn't happen on any USMS team I've ever heard of. I dare say the strangers at lap swim are more likely to ridicule another stranger to whom they have not been formally introduced than are your USMS teammates who get to know you. In fact, you are more likely to be noticed for making drastic improvements from where you started. If you care about what people think, you actually want to show up as sloppy and out of shape as possible. As you get better and change lanes, people will start to talk.
So, don't deprive yourself. You're plenty good enough to join us just as you are. Come on in, the water is...fast.
Matt
Thanks for all your kind answers!
Anyone belongs to or been to the following clubs?
1. Menlo Masters
2. Burlingame aquatics
3. Palo Aloto Masters
4. Peninsula Covenent Aquatics
I'm looking for a place that will tolerate newbies and will help me with my strokes instead of telling me what to do and let me roam free.
Thanks!
Most Masters programs will probably allow you to try a practice or even just view one before joining.
I believe for the most part, provided you have a proactive masters coach, joining a team is the way to go. The support from other swimmers is priceless as you are trying to develop as a swimmer.
I joined a team after only 3 months of swimming on my own and made more progress in 3 weeks swimming with a team than I did in the preceding 3 months.
I think there are motivational limitations when swimming alone and you certainly will not benefit from the critique of experienced coaching and experienced swimmers as you would in a Masters swimming program.
Check out some programs in your area to see which is the best fit for you.
Good luck!
Originally posted by fayewolf
I'm looking for a place that will tolerate newbies and will help me with my strokes instead of telling me what to do and let me roam free.
I have visited a number of teams here and there and have always found them warm and accomodating to people of all levels. The best way to know you are ready for Masters is when you go to a practice, it's that easy.
There are some lurking on this site who erroneously state that USMS does not welcome newbies. This is a complete falsehood, driven by ignorance of USMS.
I'm SO EXCITED. I went to talk to the coach at one of the local masters team and he assured me that I'll be able to work out with them. I asked, what if i can't do 400 freestyle, he said "well, then you don't, you do 50, and rest and try again". I'm very excited. I will report back how my first one goes soon!! :)
