Mastering the Swim

I first heard the term “masters swimmer” when I went in to take a swim lesson almost ten years ago.

I knew how to swim because I practically lived in the water at the beaches and lakes of North Carolina and Georgia as a child, but I had never swum a single lap in the pool and was sure there was much to learn.

It turns out that my biggest problem was learning how to breathe as I swam, and finding a rhythm in the water that worked for me.

On the first night of my private lessons, my instructor suggested I save some money, skip private lessons and join a masters program instead. I didn’t go back for another private lesson, but I didn’t join a masters program either.

The problem was the name. I was clearly not a master at swimming; therefore, it made no sense to join a aasters swimming program. Since that time, I have been corrected. "Masters" does not refer to the level of swimmer, but to the age of the swimmer.

The masters swimming program was developed as a way to give adult swimmers the opportunity to improve their swimming skills, practice several times through out the week with coaching and maybe even compete, if that's something you're interested in.

In College Park, the masters swimming program is run through the Terrapin Masters Swimming Club. Practices are held at the University of Maryland at the ERC Indoor Pool six days a week, alternating morning and evening sessions. 

Though many members of the club join as a way to improve their stroke for triathlon, build their endurance for some of the local open water swims such as the Chesapeake Bay Swim and the Reston Lake Swim, or to compete in some of the masters meets throughout Maryland and the United States, many members use the sessions as a scheduled workout. 

Still others use the masters program as a way to overcome their fear of water.

"Five months ago, we had a gentleman come in who couldn't even put his face in the water," said longtime masters Coach Rand Vaillancourt. "He was 50 years old and had never learned to swim. Now, he is competing." 

Each masters session includes an on-deck coach that sets out the day’s workout and monitors the swimmer's progress, suggesting changes that might help improve a swimmer’s stroke or kick.

In addition to the coaching, masters swimming members find that having other people who are counting on their appearance at the pool motivates them to workout on days when they would rather just stay home. They also enjoy a sense of competition or being pushed by someone of similar abilities.

There is a small annual membership fee for joining the U.S. Masters Swimming Program,  as well as a ten dollar annual club fee. But coaches encourage people who are interested in the program to come in several times a week over a thirty day grace period. Thirty days allows you to see how the coaching makes a difference to your training, whether you will truly be able to fit the classes into your schedule and whether an organized adult swim club works for you.

Whether you are completely new to swimming, are planning on trying your first triathlon, hoping to improve your time in an open water swim or interested in getting back into competition after college, there is a place for every swimmer in the U.S. Masters Program and the Terrapin Swim Club.