Four Things Swimmers Wish They Knew Sooner

Looking back at the start of your swimming journey, what do you wish you knew? Would you do anything differently? Here are four things that swimmers wish they knew sooner.

1. Start from where you are, not from where you think you should be

Don't jump in the deep end with goals that are going to be difficult to achieve. Make a realistic assessment of where you are to make small term goals to reach your larger goal. 

Don’t compare yourself to other swimmers. It’s easy to fall into this trap, especially if you compete regularly. Instead, learn from your own swimming and set SMART goals to keep yourself moving forward. 

SMART goals are:

- Specific

- Measurable

- Attainable for you

- Relevant to you

- Time-bound

2. Don’t be afraid to make friends

Make friends with your teammates, your coaches, your trainers as these are your people. You can support each other and help each other achieve your swimming goals.The stronger the bond you have with the people surrounding you, the more enjoyable swimming will become! 

Encourage your teammates every chance you get, tell your coach that the swim practice he wrote out was a great workout, tell the swimmer from the opposing team that they had an amazing race! Make the experience worthwhile.

3. Swim All the strokes

So many swimmers strictly stick with the one or two strokes that they are good at. And while they may be getting a good workout, they’re missing out on the benefits of a well-rounded program. When you swim weaker strokes, you challenge your muscles in new ways, helping to build strength for your dominant strokes.

4. Remember why you started

Or better, remember why you keep going. Did you find a home in the water? Do you have a passion for it or make new lifelong friends? Maybe you were signed up by your parents for a hobby to fill some free time and a lot of swimmers don’t know what they are getting into when they first start swimming. But you didn’t keep swimming because they wanted you to. You kept swimming because you wanted to. You developed a passion for it, almost immediately, and you kept going for you.