Masters Team Anxiety

Many masters teams are used to having swimming noobs join (provided you know how to swim, which is clear) and triathletes who are less experienced in swimming. And it sounds like this is a very friendly group.

Take tonight for what it is: an exploratory session. No need to fear: you are there for yourself only. It doesn't matter what the other swimmers are doing. You're there to find out if this is a good fit for you, and if it is, it can only help. 

I just joined my first Masters group and I was very, very nervous about it. They were very welcoming and I am so happy I joined! I do not know how to do flip turns, I can barely do the other strokes, I am slow as dirt. It didn't matter. Everyone is there to get better and you will get better if you consistently go to Masters.

Good luck!

WAEF - in my experience, the coach should place you in a lane with others on the same level as you.  I was placed in lane one with two other people who were fairly beginner themselves.  As I progressed, I got moved up to lane 3. 

 So, I wouldn't worry about having to keep up in a lane with the advanced swimmers.  The coach should know not to place you there at this time. 

 Good luck! 

I like to see as much on this as possible too.  The masters at my Y is $850 for the year, and does not have a monthly option to pay, so I'd like to see if others have a good experience and perhaps I should stomach the expense or should I just stick with a couple of one on one instructor sessions.

It's NJ, what can I say?    You should see our property taxes.  :P

Yikes!  Ours is dirt cheap.  It's free actually.  Of course there is only five of us.

Nope...they do have two other options than one year though.  Pay $425 every six months or $235 a quarter.

http://www.wmaymca.com/Masters%20Info.pdf

Don't worry about things.  Just make sure you jump in the lane with the slower swimmers.  Keep in mind that many Masters teams depend on triathletes for about a third of their members, and they're often the slower swimmers, so you'll have company.  Enjoy!

Brian

I was aquatically challenged when I decided to join my local Masters.  The group was friendly enough but I was too out of breath to be very talkative initially.  The coach was great working with me and now I get grumpy if I miss my masters workout.  Even though I have improved to ~1:30 / 100 yds, I am frequently the slowest of the group and we still have a fun time. Watching and swimming with people of better swim abilities has improved my swim greatly.

Beyond the social aspect, I only stay with the group because of the quality coaching.  He is always enthuastic to help me with MY goals.  Was I intinidated at first?  You bet.  Am I glad I followed through and stuck with it? Certainly.  It's the best value for my swim dollar. 

I just joined a Masters swim team last week. I was nervous about it and put it off for a week or so but decided I needed to get over it and join since it would do nothing but improve my swim.

I have only been to 4 sessions now and I feel I have already progressed quite a bit as far as breathing and stroke are concerned. I still don't like swimming with more than one other person in the lane since I feel like I am slowing them down. I am very happy with the team so far though! I can only imagine where I will be come April/May if I stick with it!

I just joined a masters team and am now in my 2nd month. About half of our small group are triathletes and there is quite a widely varying skill levels in the group.

The folks in my group have been very friendly and since it was a new group nobody really new anyone a month or so ago, so we are all starting to get know each other now and beginning to chat and so far everyone seems pretty nice and helpful to even the slower guys like me.

I am one of the slower folks in the group but I just have to cut some of the sets shorter or swim at a different interval and in a lane with other slower folks but there does not seem to be any stigma with doing this.

I would say if you have a chance to do this then go for it. It has been a great motivator for me to get up and in the pool at 5:30am if nothing else!

Just joined masters last week along with my wife.  The instructor put us in a lane with training wheels...lol.  I had not technical experience swimming and the instructors have been very patient.

My wife had even less experience than I, and the instructors are helping her learn the proper way to breath...well both of us actually.

Our program cost 135 per semester since the program is run at the university pool.

I've been to two master's programs and didn't like either.

One was at my Y so free...very clicque and they put all the slow folks in one lane. I can't swim with 3 others when we range from 1:45/100 to over 3:00/100. Coach isn't there much. I actually complained to director of the Y and asked the question if they pay him in full since he isn't there long or often. He is no longer there. I need to check out the new coach.

Other master's program I went to was 90% of triathletes. It was far away. I went to a clinic put on by the coach who is a pro triathlete. I figured then going to master's I could follow up on what I learned. I got stuck in my own lane. He helped me some first few times but in time ignored me. No reason for me to drive and be gone for 3.5 hours for no help.

I have a lead on new master's program that is smaller. She works on technique if time permits and coachs one of the best kids swim team around and offers private lessons. I'm willing to try again.