The other day I was walking to my car when I noticed the car parked next to me had a vanity license plate "SWIMFLY". I walked up to the man driving the car and we started talking about swimming and competing.
He said he swam at Nationals in 2001 and he was waiting until he turned 60 to swim at another meet. I told him that he should go to more meets because they are really fun. This guy is a really great swimmer. He still holds the State record in all of the butterfly events and he won the majority of his races at nationals.
This got me thinking - what is it that is keeping swimmers from entering races? I realize there are a ton of fitness swimmers who don't want to compete and I understand that. But beyond that what is the reason?
For me personally, I waited to enter my first meet because I didn't think I was fast enough and I didn't want to be embarrassed. I am so sorry it took me so long to go to a race - I think they are really fun.
Parents
Former Member
I'm simply trying to get my nerve up to swim in a meet:violin: It would help if I had someone to go with me as support!! I also need to see if I can still dive:whiteflag: into the pool. It has been YEARS (decades actually) since I have done that, and I have not had an opportunity to do so anywhere.
Nancy, just do it!! I did! I had no one on the side lines cheering me on, I do it for myself.
I started back 1 yr ago after 27yrs and 2 kids....I started at the "Y" then heard about what our High school coach does for Master swimmers. I contacted the high school swim coach - who was my HS swim coach back in the"day". He lets me come in and practice starts, then told me to come and do time trials that he does for his teams. I now practice at least 1 time a week with his grade school kids - some of who are pretty fast. It doesn't bother me to swim with 6th graders, we have 3 - 4 moms that come swim pretty regularly.
Contact your local HS or College (if they have a swim team), you maybe surprised at what they will let you do. My Coach just wants people to swim, and if you want to be coached he'll do that too. I had time trials just this week and alot of the adults who came to watch their kids were wondering why these "older" people were swimming and how can they do the same. I get alot of looks and support all at the same time. It's fun...
I'm simply trying to get my nerve up to swim in a meet:violin: It would help if I had someone to go with me as support!! I also need to see if I can still dive:whiteflag: into the pool. It has been YEARS (decades actually) since I have done that, and I have not had an opportunity to do so anywhere.
Nancy, just do it!! I did! I had no one on the side lines cheering me on, I do it for myself.
I started back 1 yr ago after 27yrs and 2 kids....I started at the "Y" then heard about what our High school coach does for Master swimmers. I contacted the high school swim coach - who was my HS swim coach back in the"day". He lets me come in and practice starts, then told me to come and do time trials that he does for his teams. I now practice at least 1 time a week with his grade school kids - some of who are pretty fast. It doesn't bother me to swim with 6th graders, we have 3 - 4 moms that come swim pretty regularly.
Contact your local HS or College (if they have a swim team), you maybe surprised at what they will let you do. My Coach just wants people to swim, and if you want to be coached he'll do that too. I had time trials just this week and alot of the adults who came to watch their kids were wondering why these "older" people were swimming and how can they do the same. I get alot of looks and support all at the same time. It's fun...
