Is there swimming after the age of fifty?

Hello All, Thank-you for responding. It's good to know you are out there.I do have lots of questions and will try to feed them in slowly plus a little gossip about French competition swimmers and record holders. I'm not a very fast swimmer, at my best I do about 45 seconds for 50 meters but I try to put in 1 1/2 hours a day. Hoping to hear from you From the land of Burger King (or seeds and nuts -- take your pick :D ) I'd love to be inundated by things French. Fresh croissants, coffee, elegant pastries, chic couture, l'Opera, l'accent grave. American streets in the early dawn smell of diesel fuel. The forums have regular participants from Sweden, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Canada, and other places with water to swim in. I like the different perspectives and stories, and perhaps there will be a novel recipe to contribute to the nutrition thread. :applaud:

I am soon to be 50. I have followed (in the escort boat) two swimmers from England to France. I am very slow myself but am steady 55 second 50 yards. This is a great group. any questions you will get many varied responses. Welcome! and post often :)

Hello All, Thank-you for responding. It's good to know you are out there.I do have lots of questions and will try to feed them in slowly plus a little gossip about French competition swimmers and record holders. I'm not a very fast swimmer, at my best I do about 45 seconds for 50 meters but I try to put in 1 1/2 hours a day. Hoping to hear from you:argue:

Regrettably, one of the best swimmers in USMS just turned 50. You are that young? Wow...shocker. Wait, you said "best" so you weren't talking about yourself then.

During practice one day last year, I was discussing age groups with one of my teammates, a woman in her early forties. She asked how old I was, and when I told her I was 50, her response was, "Good for you!" So much for the theory that 50 is the new 30. Amazing that I am able to get to and from the pool without assistance.

During practice one day last year, I was discussing age groups with one of my teammates, a woman in her early forties. She asked how old I was, and when I told her I was 50, her response was, "Good for you!" So much for the theory that 50 is the new 30. Amazing that I am able to get to and from the pool without assistance. Ha! So much for the "No way are you 50!" response.

My mom doesn't swim, but started running at 50, ran her first marathon at 55, and has now done duathlons and her first Century bike ride at 62 last summer, and continues to run like a madwoman. She's 63 now and just did three races in three weeks--including the New York 1/2 marathon on an AWFUL humid and miserable day when many other runners dropped out. I am damn proud. (And really lucky to have gotten her genes.)

I'm looking for a site for people who love swimming, are good swimmers but do not want to do competition swimming, especially a site that includes discussions by people over fifty.... I think you will find a lot of what you are looking for here. I like going to local meets and participating, but I don't really qualify as a "competitive swimmer". I just do it because it is fun. There are lots of threads on this forum that do not have a focus of competitive swimming. Feel free to stat your own. Asking questions is a good start. I'm 51 now, but most days I feel at least 10 years older due to a debilitating arthritic condition. In 1994 I could not lift my arms out of the water, nor lift my elbows above my shoulders. Since then I've done a 200 fly and 400IM (legally, in competition, again, just for fun... and bragging rights). Most of my recovered mobility is from swimming. While my endurance is off now, my technique is still good. I still swim fly. You will find all sorts of swimmers here. I find this to be a well balanced BBS, with a lot of good information. Welcome. :)

50 sucks...even the AARP benefits aren't what I thought they would be. Buy a golf cart and get a hot tub...

Belle - 51 and still having fun. I swim mostly on my own but come here (to the forums) and one or two meets a year to share, laugh, and learn. Let us know what questions you have and come back often! Keep swimming!