Equipment Rep
Trains with every piece of equipment available at all times.
The Luddite
Trains with nothing. Only uses a loin cloth and goggles in workout.
The Barnacle
Leaves right on your feet. Couldn't count to five or ten if his life depnded on it.
The Coach
Not an actual coach, but someone who is consumed with technique. Swimming is a precise set of moves that can be broken down, categorized, and scientifically analyzed.
The Jaded
Could care less about technique. Just wants to swim and leave the analysis to the eggheads.
The Swimaholic
Trains at least 10 swimming workouts a week. Anything less is viewed as not trying.
Fast Guy who Never Trains
Shows up once a month and breaks national records in practice.
Hardest Working Man in the Swim Business
Trains like a ferocious animal in workout, but has no speed when it comes to racing.
Lane Guy
Works out in a lane that is far too fast or slow for him.
The Crack Guy
Dude, pull your swimsuit up or get a bigger size.
The Newbie
Shows up to practice in board shorts and a scuba mask.
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As for myself, I would fall into the categories of Luddite and Jaded. Also, I wrote this from a male perspective, but the women are included as well. Any other stereotypes?
Toys R Us Woman - She has every toy there is and uses most of them at the same time while plodding through endless splash-free laps: fins and pull buoy, waterproof mp3 player, headphones, cap, goggles, nose clips.... hey if it took me 4 minutes to swim 100 yards, I'd probably need entertainment too.
I'm in awe; the bar has been raised. I haven't seen the original TRUW in quite a while, but now there's a new sheriff in town. At first I couldn't figure out why someone would wear a full-length Blue Seventy to practice in, especially someone so slow (she swam in the 3-5 minutes per 100 yards range, and wasn't elderly or disabled). Then I noticed the headphones (and the mp3 player clipped to the back of the B70) and it all clicked. OF COURSE the successor to the TRUW throne wears a technical suit at all times! Anything less would be uncivilized!
Toys R Us Woman - She has every toy there is and uses most of them at the same time while plodding through endless splash-free laps: fins and pull buoy, waterproof mp3 player, headphones, cap, goggles, nose clips.... hey if it took me 4 minutes to swim 100 yards, I'd probably need entertainment too.
I'm in awe; the bar has been raised. I haven't seen the original TRUW in quite a while, but now there's a new sheriff in town. At first I couldn't figure out why someone would wear a full-length Blue Seventy to practice in, especially someone so slow (she swam in the 3-5 minutes per 100 yards range, and wasn't elderly or disabled). Then I noticed the headphones (and the mp3 player clipped to the back of the B70) and it all clicked. OF COURSE the successor to the TRUW throne wears a technical suit at all times! Anything less would be uncivilized!
