Hi all! Apologies in advance for this likely-stupid question from a newbie.
I'm a 21 year old, post-college swimmer who wishes to return to competitive swimming after a years-long hiatus. I did not swim competitively in high school or college. Thus, my only experience is with USS age-group swimming.
I've spent the past two months training on my own (6-7 days per week/2 hours at a time). Although I have a demanding job, I want to push myself to swim at the highest level I can; my goals are purely competitive, not recreation or fitness oriented. I want to join a team of like-minded people.
So, my first question is basic: USS or USMS? I've heard that USS is 18 and under; USMS is 19+ - USS also seems to administer the national competitions. Does this mean that the sole option for a swimmer 19 or over is to join a USMS team, compete in Masters meets only, and (if/when) they make national cuts, switch over to USS somehow? Or, do the USS teams also take swimmers over 18? If so, what would be the pros and cons to joining a masters team versus a USS team?
Also - I'm assuming this is true, but are USMS times automatically valid for USS purposes and vice versa?
Any help is appreciated. I'm sorry for how obvious the answers to these questions might be for someone who's been swimming for a while, but I've been trying to bend the powers of Google to my will for two weeks and yet haven't found the answers yet. Thanks. RH
My team was open to me joining them but each team will be different. Some might like having an adult there, others might not.
I don't have first-hand experience, but I imagine this is true. My guess is most teams would really only want older swimmers as part of their senior group. The downside to that is senior groups tend to be for serious swimmers only. Most probably have attendance policies and might frown on you consistenly missing workouts. Most coaches would probably understand your plight, but still, they have attendance rules so it wouldn't be fair to bend them just for you.
The best thing to do is contact the USA Swimming club coaches in your area and discuss your goals with them. I really do think training with a USA Swimming club would be your best option based on your stated goals.
My team was open to me joining them but each team will be different. Some might like having an adult there, others might not.
I don't have first-hand experience, but I imagine this is true. My guess is most teams would really only want older swimmers as part of their senior group. The downside to that is senior groups tend to be for serious swimmers only. Most probably have attendance policies and might frown on you consistenly missing workouts. Most coaches would probably understand your plight, but still, they have attendance rules so it wouldn't be fair to bend them just for you.
The best thing to do is contact the USA Swimming club coaches in your area and discuss your goals with them. I really do think training with a USA Swimming club would be your best option based on your stated goals.
