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?
Rip Van Winkle:
Guy shows up at the pool in just his trunks, carrying his goggles, walks over to the bleachers, and lies down on the bottom bleacher. He sleeps for about 20 minutes or so. Once he awakens, he swims a bit.
I've seen a cross of this guy and Mr. Nonchalant and The Natural.
He only shows up in the summer on a nice day. He looks to be about 45 going on 30. When a lane clears, he gets out of his lawn chair and jumps in the water in board shorts and then proceeds to kick a couple hundred yards on his back at a very fast pace, much of it under water. Then he busts right out into a flawless 300 IM. It could be a 400 IM but he doesn't do the fly because that would actually be work. And besides, he doesn't want to show off. He just wants to blend in. He just can't help it that he is so smooth.
Then he hops out and puts his Ipod and shades back on and sits back in a lawn chair. He would probably be top 10 in Masters if he took it half way serious for a couple of months, but he is happy just swimming a few hundred yards once or twice a week.
Rip Van Winkle:
Guy shows up at the pool in just his trunks, carrying his goggles, walks over to the bleachers, and lies down on the bottom bleacher. He sleeps for about 20 minutes or so. Once he awakens, he swims a bit.
I've seen a cross of this guy and Mr. Nonchalant and The Natural.
He only shows up in the summer on a nice day. He looks to be about 45 going on 30. When a lane clears, he gets out of his lawn chair and jumps in the water in board shorts and then proceeds to kick a couple hundred yards on his back at a very fast pace, much of it under water. Then he busts right out into a flawless 300 IM. It could be a 400 IM but he doesn't do the fly because that would actually be work. And besides, he doesn't want to show off. He just wants to blend in. He just can't help it that he is so smooth.
Then he hops out and puts his Ipod and shades back on and sits back in a lawn chair. He would probably be top 10 in Masters if he took it half way serious for a couple of months, but he is happy just swimming a few hundred yards once or twice a week.