shortest swimmers out there

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:56:09 GMT

I am 5'8" and currently 156 but usually around 162. It has definitely had a considerable impact on my career as a swimmer.

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:04:48 GMT

I am a 5'0" and 108lb girl and I only compete against guys, but I still win! My favorite thing about swimming is getting out of the pool and hearing my opponents whisper "I just got beat by that little girl."

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Sun, 31 May 2009 05:29:24 GMT

For shorter people I guess they'll need more strokes per length. What height would 20 spl be reasonable?

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Rykno — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:18:21 GMT

5´10" 185lbs

RE: shortest swimmers out there

shucg1004 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:53:05 GMT

I am 5'4.5" and I love distance but I think I'm a sprinter! I think I was supposed to be shorter (my mom is 5'1" on a good day) but swimming probably lengthened me out a bit :) Sure, taller swimmers say they get to the wall quicker but that just means I can swim longer to get faster.:)

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:11:57 GMT

I'm 5ft 3 inches and 110 pounds, but I hold my own in the pool! Good for you! -Ive seem six footers plus-with every physical assett possible-but without training ,a good coach, intent and a big heart fail miserably.:cheerleader:

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Bobinator — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:36:27 GMT

I am 5'5'' and weigh 115. I get beat all the time by people who are smaller/bigger/older/and younger than me. I think sucess is determined by stroke quality and physical conditioning. :anim_coffee:

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:15:38 GMT

I'm 5ft 3 inches and 110 pounds, but I hold my own in the pool!

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:02:34 GMT

I am 5'5" but come from an athletic family so it hasn't hindered me in most sports...and I find swimming to be the most level playing field at my level. My father is 5'10 and my son is destined to remain sub 6'. I call my son a little "powerhouse" because he's so compact and solid...he's got faster event times than a lot of the taller boys in his age group and I attribute it to his detail oriented personality. He really focuses on his form and improving his efficiency in the water. His only real issue is the coach's inability to nurture any swimmer other than those with the "typical swimmer" biological assets. So, he's kind of in it for himself right now. When he feels "small" compared to others his age, I remind him that his height isn't a barrier...just another of life's obstacles that will make him stronger in the long run.

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:24:11 GMT

I'm 6'1"175lbs. I'd gladly give up an inch or two for increased flexibility, esp in my ankles and knees...

RE: shortest swimmers out there

mattson — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:30:05 GMT

I just noticed that the last post before Greg's was almost five years older. I found a picture from the Indy Firecracker meet back in 2003. The lady on the left is Nadine, one of the fastest Master's swimmers around. The lady on the right was a post-college swimmer going for some Olympic trial qualifying times. They were both standing on the same level ground, no tricks involved. Just goes to show that there are fast swimmers of all sizes.

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:00:28 GMT

I am 5'1" and 95 lbs. No wonder I am such a terrible swimmer...

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:09:18 GMT

It doesn't so much in masters but elite swimming-olympic swimming it does. Only one woman on the national team is 5'4" amd several of them are 5'9" plus. Only two men are at 5'10" and 1/2 and several are 6'4" and above. Even its been mention that Mark Spitz were around today,he probably would have been a top flyer rather than a top freestyler since most male freestylers in the 100 and 200 meter are 6'5" plus. Neither Eric Vendt or Gil Stovall are that tall. Eric Vendt especially has apparently grown several inches in the last few years. :cool: And Masayuki Kishida is sub 6 feet, he swam sprint fly and freestyle (19.2,43.3 in free and 45.4 in fly at SC Nationals) for Japan in Beijing. Tomomi Morita, Kosuke Kitajima, and Kohei Kawamoto are 3 other shorter Japanese swimmers. Both Dominik Meichtry and Jean Basson are under or right at six feet. Also worth noting, according to Dave Cromwell Ian Crocker only has size 11 feet. Though I think he's six five. Basically, being tall helps, but it isn't so cut and dry in the water. EDIT: And Riaan Schoeman who swims for South Africa (400 IM) is like 5' 7".

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:55:38 GMT

LOL i fit the stereotype i didn't even know there was one out there that more swimmers were above 6 feet tho most people on high school team are 5'11''- 6'7'' (the one guy is really big) and I'm 6'3'' but i don't think you can be short and still be able to swim as fast as most people who are tall unless your wing span is like 70 inches or more and your legs are really strong. Because i went to states this year along with everyone who was tall on the team and we came in first overall and their wasn't many short kids out there sadly.

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Sat, 21 Feb 2004 12:33:46 GMT

I'm a whopping 5'0" tall if I stand up really straight. Really about 4'11 3/4". I however do this to better myself and have something to improve, so my height doesn't really bother me when it comes to swimming.

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2004 09:29:26 GMT

I fit the sterotype (I'm 5'10" and female, and I have big feet women's size 11, men's 9 1/2) but I think that if I were to swim in a meet I would get my butt kicked, by swimmers shorter and taller than me.

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2004 07:46:55 GMT

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2004 06:07:43 GMT

I see no difference in being tall or short. If you work as hard as you can, you will be the best of the best. Doesn't matter wether your tall, short, light, or heavy. It all matters if you put forth effort! Jenny 5'2, 145lbs

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:32:38 GMT

Ever noticed that when treading water in the deep end we all see eye to eye? ;)

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2004 09:55:20 GMT

I´m a 5´5 guy.

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Michael Heather — Fri, 09 Jan 2004 12:55:20 GMT

You little fellows have the big advantage of the mysterious "leverage" effect. It is really easy to get your short stubby arms and legs spinning around real fast, and since the joints are so close together, you use exponentially less energy to move along in the water! It is a wonder that more world records are not held by midgets.

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2004 17:58:44 GMT

Well, with *** there are different sizes. Anyway, Tara Kirk is only 5'6" and Kristy Kowal over 6'0". Also, breaststrokers along with some sprint flyers tend to be more heavier built than either freestylers or backstrokers. In my youth I was best at *** and fly. Now, mainly ***.

RE: shortest swimmers out there

kerees — Thu, 08 Jan 2004 08:51:57 GMT

Okay I think I've got most of the women & men out there beat...I'm 4' 9 3/4", and will probably shrink in the golden years still to come. My times are still improving and I definitely get to reel in the taller people on the 400IM after butterfly. But I have also known twins at 4' 11" who swam in college their 100 yd br times were a 1:10 the other a 1:07 both PR's and awesome times, but hmmmm 3 seconds difference and they're twins, and I also watched them beat others who were taller! Beware of the short people! We rock!...and have plenty of space on airplanes! Karla

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2004 16:40:22 GMT

Michael is actually twice as tall as Mel Goldstein:D The 234 pounds and floating like a cork is pretty correct. There are sure a lot of great masters swimmers who are short people. Mel, Nancy, many many under 5'4". I love breaststroke because it is the one stroke where size matters least. The animal heats can have short men and women, tall, all body types (skinny, large, jumbo).

RE: shortest swimmers out there

Former Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2004 13:51:26 GMT

Lainey, Yeah, I know what you mean...in fact, my career has been primed by working with very astute businessmen. I had to stand strong to survive, let alone be an equal! Lately, I've found myself rethinking the heels...square shoulders, plus a fierce attitude--no need for the extra few inches. Lol, jerrycat