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Unlike cycling, running and walking, you can’t go for a swim from your front
door—unless you live on a houseboat or have a really bad plumbing problem.
So, where to swim? There are more options than you might think. Some
suggestions:
Pools. This is the most popular and convenient choice. For optimum
workouts, you’ll need a pool that’s at least 25 yards long (“short
course” in swimming parlance), with lane markers. Anything much shorter and
it’s hard to get into a rhythm because you spend almost as much time turning and
pushing off the wall after each length as you do swimming. An Olympic-sized
pool is 50 meters (“long course”), which allows for even longer stretches
of uninterrupted swimming. (Olympic-sized pools typically are 25 yards wide,
so they convert easily to short-course by changing the lane markers.) Looking
for a pool while traveling? Be aware that many pools, especially those at
hotels, advertise that they are “Olympic-sized,” but actually are not even
25 yards long or even rectangular—making lap swimming a real challenge.
Where to find pools? Try health clubs, public pools, college or high-school pools
with public hours (or swim classes open to the public), YMCAs, etc. Call them
for more info such as lap-swimming hours. U.S. Masters Swimming
(http://www.usms.org) has a good
pool-finder. Plug in your hometown and the finder spits back locations, contact
info, and workout times. It’s a great tool for travelers, too. If you can’t
find a pool, get on the site’s discussion forum and ask for help.
Masters workouts. Swimming alone has its advantages—go when you want,
do as much or as little as you please—but it has drawbacks too. It’s tough
to stay motivated and you don’t get any stroke feedback, which is vital for
getting better in such a technique-intensive sport. Once you’re comfortable
swimming continuously for a half-hour or so, try Masters swims—regular,
structured, coached swim workouts for adults. (In swimming, Masters refers
to anyone age 19 and over.)
It’s the quickest and best way to improve. You also swim with others, which
makes you work harder. And it’s a good way to meet people. There’s nothing
like a little commiseration after a demanding workout to break down social
barriers. Many Masters swimmers are extremely fast, but don’t be intimidated.
Masters workouts typically use several lanes with the speediest swimmers
in one lane, the next-fastest group in the adjoining lane, and so on. Find
a lane with swimmers of your ability and go for it. Ask the coach, who
oversees the workout from the pool deck, to analyze your form and give
pointers. You’ll be amazed how a couple of tips from an expert can make a
huge difference in your efficiency and speed. Find a coach you’re comfortable
with—one who’s supportive and a good teacher. Inquire about Masters swims
at your local pool or visit the USMS web site for info on Masters clubs
and workouts.
Camp. To jumpstart your swimming, consider attending swim camp.
Camps typically take place over several days in which you get lots of
instruction and pool time. Many camps feature videotaping (above and below
the surface), dry-land training, and lectures from top swimmers. You’ll
get better in a hurry and have lots of fun. Some web sites with camp info:
http://www.swimmersworld.com and Harvard University’s Swimming and Diving team’s site,
(http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~swim).
Open-water swims. For a break from the pool, do an open-water swim
in a river, lake or the ocean. Just don’t swim alone. Go with a strong-swimming
friend who knows the waters, or somewhere with a lifeguard. Better yet, do
an organized open-water swim.The Yellow Pages of Swimming
(http://www.netutah.com/swimlinx)
lists open-water events.
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