Plano Wetcats masters swim

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2008-09-03 9:19 AM

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Subject: Plano Wetcats masters swim
Anyone a member of this?  How is it?

2008-09-03 9:51 AM
in reply to: #1645764

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Subject: RE: Plano Wetcats masters swim
I did masters with Wetcats (at the Muehlenback Nat) for about 6 months. I liked the morning sessions with Harry, but wasn't such as much a fan of the evening sessions (the coach talks too much). Pros: lots of options--5 or 6 a.m. Monday-Friday and lunch time and Tues/Thursday evening sessions. Cons: Too many drills and not enough practice. BUT...that's personal preference. It's worth checking out and you can try it for free first. The only reason I quit was that it was too much of a haul there and back to work in the mornings. The group who swims are very friendly and the coach is a really nice guy. He's great on stroke mechanics and seems to love coaching. Let me know if you have any other questions!


2008-09-04 2:11 PM
in reply to: #1645764

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Subject: RE: Plano Wetcats masters swim

I've been a member since Jan of this year and it has helped my swimming immensely. Most important (to me) is that the workouts are very motivating and I found myself wanting to swim as often as possible. I feel the biggest plusses for the Wetcats are:

  • Flexability. There are 3 workouts per day at each Oak Point Center (OPC) and Tom M. Center (TMC) There are also 3 coaches (1 @ OPC, 1 day time and another evening @ TMC) each with their own style. I typically swim at Oak Point and it is farily laid back and not much drills or kicking. I've occasionally hit TMC and believe the daytime coach is a retired high-school coach and has more kicking & drilling as well as will push you a bit harder. I've only made one evening workout at TMC, so I really don't have a feel for that coach. He is a triathlete and is involved with Keifer Swim shop (manager??). The change of pace is good and I plan to mix them up more this Winter.
  • Price. I've splurged for the annual membersip for $400 which also includes a full membership to all Plano rec centers. I've since canceled my $40/mo "gym" membership, so I'm saving money for joining masters


The coaches at both locations are really good at getting the experienced swimmers going while paying close attention to those that are looking for help. I've convinced a co-worker, who is a relatively new swimmer, to join and he is loving it and bugs me to go every day. I personally haven't gotten (or asked or expected) much personal attention, but have improved very much by swimming alot and taking "group" pointers and focus points during the workouts. They both include all strokes in the workouts but also realize that some (especially triathletes) like to focus on freestyle. I know it was mentioned you could try it for free, but at OPC, they will charge $5 for a look-see.

They also have an under-water camera available for watching your stroke. It's currently not working, but it should be functioning again (I hope).

I'm usually at OPC at noon when I swim as is BTer tmueller (Tim). Well, Tim is really cheap, so he's usually at OPC & TMC just about any day

2008-09-04 2:51 PM
in reply to: #1649946

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Subject: RE: Plano Wetcats masters swim
I've been a member for just over a year and have benefited greatly. My OWS time at the Austin Oly Triathlon was over a 3:00/100 m pace and now I am comfortable with a pace of 1:45/100 m. Camy detailed the benefits pretty well. He's also correct that I am super cheap and I figure that if I am paying for training, I will go to EVERY session I am able to. That typically means 5-7 times per week just to improve my stroke.

The two main coaches are both good giving stroke corrections when needed and WILL improve your swimming. All you need to do is let them know you want extra attention and you'll get all that you want. The mix of swimmers is varied and the coaches are there to help you achieve YOUR goals. The evening coach at Tom Muehlenbeck Center is a die hard triathlete, an employee at Keifer swim shop, and a WetCats swimmer for 20+ years. He knows how to swim and does a decent job with helping other swimmers but lacks actual coaching experience. This means the Tuesday and Thursday evening workouts are a little bit toned down from the workouts done earlier in the day.

Both pools have different workouts and different coaches so I attend a combination of both workouts to gain max benefit. The workouts compliment each other rather than repeat each other. Once a month TMC tries to get in a stroke clinic and when the underwater camera gets fixed they will tape your swim for you too. In the past they haven't charged for this service so that point alone makes it worth the price.

Now for a bit of thread hijack. One of these days I WILL be better than camy in the pool!!!! Every time I improve he scoots the bar up another notch. Drat his competetive nature.
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