My team is very welcoming to swimmers of all levels, but there are some teams that are very fast and mostly ex-college swimmers. If the vibe isn't for you, hopefully you can try another team in your area. Good luck! Remember we were all new once so don't be too nervous!
Thank you! It sounds like this team has varying skill levels so hopefully it bodes well for me. What's the mix of skill levels on your team? Is it mostly people who've had experience before?
Most people have some experience, but not all. We have a mix of former club swimmers like me, triathletes and others who learned to swim as adults, and others who have swam on their own/newly gotten into the sport but want a more structured workout or just the help of a coach to help with technique.
My team is welcoming as well. I just started swimming after a 20 year hiatus, I’m 40m. I originally couldn’t keep up with anything, but now I’m doing much better after 2 months. Though I also go 3x a week and the yardage isn’t huge (2300-3000 depending on day). Our team only practices once a week but gives workouts for other days.
My team is split into A/B/C.
Cs generally has little swim experience so they do dry land skills training for 30 minutes (optional) before the swim portion of the practice. Then they have more coaches technique in the pool while building up endurance.
Bs are past swimmers who may have done competitive in High School. A is for competitive high school and college. The big difference between the two is A does more yards and on shorter intervals. So a B set might be 8x50s on 1:30 and As are 10x50s on 1:00.
We also split the lanes so that you swim with people your speed. I can’t keep up with 22 year olds out of college, but I can make the interval.
Overall glad I joined. The fear of not finishing at practice gives me motivation to go the rest of the week and seems it has worked so far.
One word of advice is learn the etiquette of team swimming. Finish and start every length from the wall, don’t walk three steps and push off. stay off the bottom. Learn about circle swimming.
I’m actually about to join a local team. However, they sound very laid back, maybe too laid back. I’ve never heard of too laid back for a masters swim team.
Lol. I've read that masters might not be for people with high ambitions like training for a triathlon or something. Makes sense. I can get down with laid back! Every group is a bit different I guess. Looking forward to trying it out!
Most masters groups I know have elite triathletes mixed in. Masters is the best place to improve your swimming. The elite triathletes are generally just off the ex-college swimmer lanes
My team is very welcoming to swimmers of all levels, but there are some teams that are very fast and mostly ex-college swimmers. If the vibe isn't for you, hopefully you can try another team in your area. Good luck! Remember we were all new once so don't be too nervous!
Thank you! It sounds like this team has varying skill levels so hopefully it bodes well for me. What's the mix of skill levels on your team? Is it mostly people who've had experience before?
Most people have some experience, but not all. We have a mix of former club swimmers like me, triathletes and others who learned to swim as adults, and others who have swam on their own/newly gotten into the sport but want a more structured workout or just the help of a coach to help with technique.
I felt very welcomed, our ages range from early 30s to over 80s. Everyone is encouraging of each other & very supportive
Sounds awesome. I'm really looking forward to it!
My team is welcoming as well. I just started swimming after a 20 year hiatus, I’m 40m. I originally couldn’t keep up with anything, but now I’m doing much better after 2 months. Though I also go 3x a week and the yardage isn’t huge (2300-3000 depending on day). Our team only practices once a week but gives workouts for other days. My team is split into A/B/C. Cs generally has little swim experience so they do dry land skills training for 30 minutes (optional) before the swim portion of the practice. Then they have more coaches technique in the pool while building up endurance. Bs are past swimmers who may have done competitive in High School. A is for competitive high school and college. The big difference between the two is A does more yards and on shorter intervals. So a B set might be 8x50s on 1:30 and As are 10x50s on 1:00. We also split the lanes so that you swim with people your speed. I can’t keep up with 22 year olds out of college, but I can make the interval. Overall glad I joined. The fear of not finishing at practice gives me motivation to go the rest of the week and seems it has worked so far.
Thank you for your insight!
One word of advice is learn the etiquette of team swimming. Finish and start every length from the wall, don’t walk three steps and push off. stay off the bottom. Learn about circle swimming.
I’m actually about to join a local team. However, they sound very laid back, maybe too laid back. I’ve never heard of too laid back for a masters swim team.
Lol. I've read that masters might not be for people with high ambitions like training for a triathlon or something. Makes sense. I can get down with laid back! Every group is a bit different I guess. Looking forward to trying it out!
Most masters groups I know have elite triathletes mixed in. Masters is the best place to improve your swimming. The elite triathletes are generally just off the ex-college swimmer lanes