Do you know how to swim? Do you compete?

Question

I know that Olympic swimmers are usually the ones who start swimming early in their lives - maybe when they were 2 or 3.
But what about people who start swimming later in their lives, like say in their 20s? What's the future for them? Do they get to compete in any competitions? Do they just swim for health since Olympics may(?) be out of their reach due to this late start?

I'm not aiming for the Olympics or anything but I'm really very curious to know about this.

What about you? Do you swim competitively? When did you start swimming? What kind of swimming competitions do you take part in?

Answer 1

Most olympic swimmers dont start when they are very young. For the teen olympic swimmers like phelps, get really fast when they are young and the burn out. This happens to all olympic swimmers sometime. I think 20 may be a harder time to start training for the olympics, but who knows...it is possible.
Masters swimming would be a good idea.
here is the site
http://www.usms.org/

I swim on a compettitive team. I started when I was 11and have been swimming for two years, I am now swimming in the JO's Junior olympics, Far Western, ex.

Answer 2

Usually Olympic level swimmers start around 8-10 years of age, and seeing that the average age of the Olympic swim team is around 18-24 years of age...starting in your 20's is considered an extremely late start.

Swimming at 20 is a great way to stay fit and healthy. I would suggest signing up with a local MASTERS program, typically associated with a local club team.

Answer 3

I do know how to swim. I compete for my high school swim team. I started swimming when I was about four. I competed on a summer swim team until I got turned 17. For someone in their 20s, if you are just learning to swim, the YMCA does offer adult swim classes. If you are interested in competing or further training, you may want to look into the Masters swim program. Olympic swimmers usually do start very young, maybe preschool or schoolage.

Answer 4

You might be interested in Master's swimming. They have competitions, with age groups all the way up to over 100 years old!! (although most meets don't have swimmers in those upper age groups!). Here is a link to the US Masters Swimming organization, but other countries have Masters swimming as well, and there is even a world championship meet where people from all over the world come to compete.

Answer 5

im on my high school team, ive been swimming since i was about 6. im not trying to be sum sorta allstar, but yah it your going to the olympics your probably are 20 or younger. people like katie ziegler are 18 and hitting theyre prime, shes probably been swimming all her life. Then theres micheal phelps started in the olyimpics at age 15, and is now 21 aand still going. however one of my friend is and amazing swimmer and becayuse she hit her prime so early in her life shes absolutly destroyed her shoulder and shes only 16. Her older brother who is 18 is and even more amazing swimmer hesgoing to nationals for the 3rd year in a row this year. all in all, 20 is a little old for olympics, but there are plenty of clubs ands swimming oppurunties for swimmers, like at collages, or try coaching. but dont give up your dreams it never to late!

Answer 6

Not everyone starts swimming at around 2 or 3 but if you start at the age 20s I really don't think so you'll need lots of training

Answer 7

I prepare 6 instances a week for 2 hours, and that i swim at a state point. while i became doing aths with the college, I heard that a Commonweath video games athlete basically trains for 2 hours 7 instances a week, it rather is realistically basically one extra education consultation than what i'm doing. education additionally has to slot in with college. If that would not persuade the cynics, only point out the 4.30 am starts off on Saturday mornings!

Answer 8

i think its great that you're interested in this. it wont be easy, but it isnt impossible. think about joining a local team, there are teams for people of all ages.

you could compete if you become strong enough. it would help if you start while in good shape.

the olympics are out of reach im sorry to say. chances are once you've hit 20, you've passed your peak.

i've swam all my life. and swim atleast 30 hours a week. let me tell you- it puts you in the best shape of your life.

Answer 9

Yes I swim . Yes I swim competitively . I started swimming when I was in the 6th grade . I compete with my team .

Answer 10

Havent swam competitely since last year and learned around 8 or so but its so much fun. I dont think that if you start later has anything to do wiht making the olympics I think it has to do wiht technique and speed and ability. I am a freestyle person and sometimes breast.