Just joined a swim club

[hurleyswimmer417]

Hey all! So I just joined a swim club. But it seems unorganized. Is that how most masters swimming clubs are? Or should I look for another one? Like the coach shows up sometimes and sometimes he doesn't. And another question, yesterday when I went to swim practice some old guy was talking bs about my swimming. I thought it was pretty rude being that I'm new and have no prior experience. Should i have said something?

[sputskee]

Are you paying for coaching fees?

What do you mean by bull? Elaborate.

How long has this club been running for?

Does the coach provide the members the workouts and etc. regardless if he is absent?

This should be moved to the general swimming forum for more feed back.

[Alexander Hughes]

Originally Posted by hurleyswimmer417

Hey all! So I just joined a swim club. But it seems unorganized. Is that how most masters swimming clubs are? Or should I look for another one? Like the coach shows up sometimes and sometimes he doesn't. And another question, yesterday when I went to swim practice some old guy was talking bs about my swimming. I thought it was pretty rude being that I'm new and have no prior experience. Should i have said something?

Regardless of your experience, or how long the club has been around, or even how long this person has been swimming talking disrespectfully about you is unacceptable.

We all swim because we enjoy it, and we all had to start somewhere. Let him/her know that you'd welcome some constructive criticism on what you can improve on, or do differently. If it's not going to be helpful to you to just keep his/her mouth shut. If you continue to have problems try moving lanes or even bringing it up with whoever might be in charge (aquatics director, facility supervisor, coach, whatever).

As for the coach showing up some days and not others it makes me wonder if this is a volunteer coach rather than a paid coach.

[Sharpsburger]

Originally Posted by hurleyswimmer417

Hey all! So I just joined a swim club. But it seems unorganized. Is that how most masters swimming clubs are? Or should I look for another one? Like the coach shows up sometimes and sometimes he doesn't. And another question, yesterday when I went to swim practice some old guy was talking bs about my swimming. I thought it was pretty rude being that I'm new and have no prior experience. Should i have said something?

Funny, I just had the same experience. Very disorganized, coach not showing up, practices seem to begin whenever, they haven't paid USMS dues in years, invalid contact emails on Web site, etc.

So I've decided to stick with USMS, avail myself of the workouts here, and use the pool I already have access to thru my gym to do it on my own. Why pay this "team" $360/yr?

Btw, is there a good thread for beginner workouts? I used to be very competitive, but that was 28 years ago.

[hurleyswimmer417]

Hey its been awhile since i've been back on. But the swim club is gator swim club out of the university of florida. Yeah it may be that person volunteer's with the coaching. yeah the workouts are all their at practices regardless weather he is their or not. I haven't been back since aug. Totally agree with you sharpsburger, why spend the money on all of that. I have since been just swimming on my own, but I am sticking with usms. Also I would too like to know if their is a beginners workout thread to. I just do better with someone telling me what to do lol. But i have been watching youtube videos , they seem to be helping out alot. But maybe if someone had a few suggestion's on a swimmer who is doing on his/her own?

[Sharpsburger]

I've been pulling workouts off this site, and using these books:

Mastering Swimming

Complete Conditioning for Swimming

Breakthrough Swimming

[I also have Swimming Fastest, but that's a real tome that will take some time to work through.]

So far it's been working out great. On my first workout after cracking the first book, I was able to take a stroke off my pool length in freestyle. And I have so much more to learn and re-learn.

There are more workouts here and in the books -- with variations I can introduce myself -- than I'll probably ever use.

I'm adjusting my strength training now, too.

I think it's a matter of how much you're able to monitor yourself and correct your own performance. Some folks are better at it than others. And if you have a good coaching foundation from your early days, as I did, it's even easier.

I suggest using the search function. For instance, I found a great 3000 workout right here by searching for "swim 3000 workout" on Google! And I found some tips for beginner/intermediate workouts by using the forum search.

I'm thinking of starting a "returning swimmer" resources thread. As soon as my computers start behaving again, I believe I'll do it.