As a new swimmer, and being 47 years old, I basically swim freestyle and a little *** (have trouble keeping my kick legal). Today, during my morning workout provided me by this very website, a dolphin kick was necessary. Quickly donning my zoomers (I suck at kick) I proceeded down the pool. Seeing as it still took me forever, I had a lot of time to ponder lifes meaning. For me its "Start early if you want to swim fly." For although two years into my swimming career, no way I can do fly. Even if I had the strength to get my arms out of the water that long...I am so rhythmic challenged I will never pull it together. Oh well, I feel comfortable swimming free, and so far the lack of the additional events hasnt hurt me none. Anyone out there learn to swim fly at such an advanced age?
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Former Member
I tried fly when I was in high school (mid ‘70’s, working as a lifeguard, never was on a team), but never really learned it then.
Fast forward to 2000, age 42. I was about 5 years into a self-prescribed swimming regimen to recover lost mobility (especially in shoulders) due to a severe arthritis condition. (I basically had to re-learn to swim starting in 1995.) I needed a challenge, so I VERY SLOWLY started to introduce butterfly into my repertoire. About a year later I actually started doing butterfly.
In December of 2001 (age 43) I got proficient enough at it that I did my first fly event. Nothing to crow about, but it was legal. I did a lot of intense study, and a moderate amount of practice in the beginning. I’d say it took me about 2-3 years to get decent at it.
Now, about six years into it (at age 48) I feel proficient at it, but still don’t feel that it is totally automatic most of the time. I still work on my kick a lot and mostly do short distances in practice (kick out on my back, and fly back, rest, repeat). I typically do one 50 at the end of my practice to see how well I can hold up when I’m tired (which to me is the real test). A few weeks ago I did a 400IM in practice and it felt pretty good, so it is nice to know I still got it. Want to test myself again on the 200 fly (in practice), but just thinking about it for now.
I tried fly when I was in high school (mid ‘70’s, working as a lifeguard, never was on a team), but never really learned it then.
Fast forward to 2000, age 42. I was about 5 years into a self-prescribed swimming regimen to recover lost mobility (especially in shoulders) due to a severe arthritis condition. (I basically had to re-learn to swim starting in 1995.) I needed a challenge, so I VERY SLOWLY started to introduce butterfly into my repertoire. About a year later I actually started doing butterfly.
In December of 2001 (age 43) I got proficient enough at it that I did my first fly event. Nothing to crow about, but it was legal. I did a lot of intense study, and a moderate amount of practice in the beginning. I’d say it took me about 2-3 years to get decent at it.
Now, about six years into it (at age 48) I feel proficient at it, but still don’t feel that it is totally automatic most of the time. I still work on my kick a lot and mostly do short distances in practice (kick out on my back, and fly back, rest, repeat). I typically do one 50 at the end of my practice to see how well I can hold up when I’m tired (which to me is the real test). A few weeks ago I did a 400IM in practice and it felt pretty good, so it is nice to know I still got it. Want to test myself again on the 200 fly (in practice), but just thinking about it for now.
