Masters swimming group

RE: Masters swimming group

Grunion — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:48:28 GMT

Eric, Glad you had a great time at the workout. Let me know if you have any other questions, hope to see you soon. Kenny Brisbin Long Beach Grunions

RE: Masters swimming group

orca1946 — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:30:42 GMT

Go watch a workout, go to their website to find out more info. Most teams welcome new swimmers. It is more fun & helpful to swim with others.

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:57:03 GMT

Congrats on finding a team Eric.

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:47:25 GMT

Okay, this has nothing to do with the team really ... but is anyone going out to watch the LB Grand Prix of swimming this weekend?

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:28:43 GMT

I wouldn't "defiantly" be back, but I would "definitely" go back. Sorry, the English teacher in me! I'm glad it went well! And always remember that it is Masters, and things are definitely flexible :agree: Ha ha! Darned spell check ... still, it is one of those words I can never spell. Oh well.

RE: Masters swimming group

ViveBene — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:24 GMT

Great! :banana:

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:00:50 GMT

Okay, made it out to swim with the masters group today (finally). It went great! I got there just a bit early and was greeted and introduced to the coach and some of the team who were milling around. Another newbie was there as well, which was nice, as well as a couple of 2'nd timers. My equipment had already been collected for me and I was shown what lane I would begin swimming in. The coach explained what the warm up would be (which I hardly paid attention to because I was trying to remember names ha ha, so I ended up doing an extra 100 kick). The coach was quick to move people around and pair up compatible swimmers. I already have some bits of form to work on, which is exactly what I was hoping for! The workout was challenging but do-able, not intimidating for a first go. Everyone was supportive. I'll defiantly be back! Thanks for the advice on the team ... awesome people!

RE: Masters swimming group

Karen Duggan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:07:03 GMT

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:17:10 GMT

Hey Micheal, I'm gunning for Saturday ... guess I'll just walk on and see what happens, I'll let you know how it goes! Good to hear, I am sure it will go just swimmingly.

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:01:28 GMT

Hey Micheal, I'm gunning for Saturday ... guess I'll just walk on and see what happens, I'll let you know how it goes!

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:45:15 GMT

Dude, it is Thursday and you still have not tried a team? What are you waiting for? You've had invitations, suggestions and harassment. Ah, driving directions! Where are you coming from, I will google map from you to the Grunion pool :) I can map from you to my pool too, but I am a couple timezones away, and the triathletes already out number me. I really am interested in your first impression of a Masters team as a triathlete.

RE: Masters swimming group

aztimm — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:10:15 GMT

I never really knew about masters swimming until I had done a few triathlons. I tried it because I was in a different city, alone, hated my job, and needed to do something to workout. I went to my first workout, swam in the slowest lane, but finished the set. I hadn't swam on a team ever before (well unless you count a water polo club in college). That was about 12 years ago, and I'm still swimming with a masters team. I've moved, been a part of a few teams, and when I travel I find teams to workout with. Since that first workout, I haven't missed more than 2 weeks in a row, and even that is probably a stretch. If you haven't yet at least tried a masters team, you really should. You can get as much or as little into it as you want. I've gone through phases where I swam 3-4 meets a year, and others (now currently) where I haven't done any. Most teams have both formal and informal social activities, dinners, happy hours, or even just a couple people meeting at Starbucks after workout.

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:56:21 GMT

Too late, your a member now. Eric, I think you're kind of obligated to give the Grunions a try now. If not, I suspect they might hunt you down some night when your mind is distracted by "other things". :D All the best, Skip Ah the Grunion run, a Long Beach tradition! Gonna give it a shot.

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:55:21 GMT

Too late, your a member now. It would seem so ha ha!

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:44:33 GMT

Seriously, don't be bashful. Our master's group, as I assume all master's groups, would welcome you into the fold. It doesn't matter how fast or efficient you are. It helps to have motivated people around to make a positive contribution. All in the name of good health!

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:28:49 GMT

Wow! Thanks for all the comments! Guess I will hit up the Grunions and see what it's all about. I definitely feel MUCH more comfortable now, if not obligated ha ha! Best always, Eric

RE: Masters swimming group

__steve__ — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:09:42 GMT

Too late, your a member now.

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:37:45 GMT

you remind me of me a couple years ago. go for it dude.

RE: Masters swimming group

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:28:09 GMT

From across the pond - and I'm sure you'll get the same welcome - my advice is go for it. My kids are all fanatical age groupers. I was asked to do a parent's race and did one 25m relay leg in 14 seconds and surpised myself! The coach asked me to consider joining the masters and I gave myself a few months to build a level of fitness and in September started. I really enjoy it! Why didn't I find this earlier? What I now know is; Three months swimming not in a squad = three weeks with a squad IMHO Several other masters have joined since, without a high base level of fitness and they just do what they can do and enjoy themselves getting fitter and better My stroke count was 3 down (SCM) in two and a half months Everyone gets what they want out of it Swimmers are very welcoming -there are some talented kids at our club but they aren't prima donnas Be ready to hear kids talking about all sorts in the changing rooms! It will make your eyes water. (especially when your 13 yo son is in there pretending he's an angel). Just go for it, you will regret it if you don't.

RE: Masters swimming group

smontanaro — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:56:37 GMT

Eric, I think you're kind of obligated to give the Grunions a try now. If not, I suspect they might hunt you down some night when your mind is distracted by "other things". :D All the best, Skip

RE: Masters swimming group

Grunion — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:57:46 GMT

Hi Eric, My name is Kenny Brisbin and I'm one of the coaches for the Long Beach Grunions. We are a masters team with over 100 swimmers ranging from novice to elite swimmers. The Grunions offer 8 workouts each week and have all ranges of swimmers at each workout. We even have a group of triathlete swimmers that not only swim but bike and run together. Email me directly at ken@lbgrunions.org and I will give you more information. Kenny Brisbin

RE: Masters swimming group

Karen Duggan — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:40:22 GMT

Eric, If I lived in Long Beach I'd be swimming with the Grunions. They have a beautiful facility, and are THE nicest people. Before one of my races last month at their meet I almost missed my race because they were so friendly, I was chatting. :blush: For masters swimming you don't need to have a referral of any kind. Just find out when the practice is, show up, say who you are and what your background is, and I bet they find you a lane. Or, if you prefer, just go and observe a workout. I, for one, would come ready to swim. It's far more fun to participate than to observe. :2cents: Good luck. :applaud:

RE: Masters swimming group

ourswimmer — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:05:11 GMT

Don't you have any triathlete friends who work out with teams? If you do, just ask one of them to take you to workout. If you don't, the best way to contact a potential team is not to ask here. It's to visit your LMSC's web site and see what teams work out at times and places that might be convenient for you. The LMSC web site will give contact information (web site or email or phone number) for those teams. When you find one that interests you, call or email the contact person (1) to confirm that the information is correct, (2) to find out if there's anything special you need to know before you show up (e.g., where is the locker room, where to park your car or bike, how much to pay and to whom), and (3) to get the name of a specific person to look for at your first practice for greeting and orientation. Then go!

RE: Masters swimming group

ViveBene — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:03:51 GMT

Okay, I'd love to join a masters group but I've never sum on a team before ... most have I think, and I don't know how comfortable/welcome I'd be because I suck (relatively). Anyone have some stories of their first masters team where they had not swum on a team prior, but brought in the courage to join? How did it go? How did you become comfortable and keep up? Swimming with a Masters workout group or team doesn't mean you have to be good, fast, know all the strokes, or want to compete. The fundamental purpose is adult fitness. There will be a workout, scaled for different capabilities. Lane assignment is generally by speed (I am always in the slowest lane!), and you can substitute a stroke or body movement for one you don't know yet, or use fins if you are falling behind on a set. Many workout groups have tris participating at all levels. I would contact the coach of a convenient workout group and ask about a trial swim. Have fun! :)

RE: Masters swimming group

aquageek — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:19:17 GMT

The longer you wait, the more mad at yourself you will be when you do join for the lost time. We have a large team and we always welcome new swimmers, of any level. Today we had three new swimmers in our level, they were all former collegiate swimmers but we also had at least 3 or 4 total newbies at the other end. I think after the 30th person welcomed them they finally understood what Masters is all about, that and Saturday breakfast.