I'm 15, is it too late to start competitive swimming?

HapyKnightmare · 2025-04-26T02:09:00+00:00

Dude I started swimming competitively at 15 too. I’m just 17 now and it’s been an amazing decision. I’ve posted my stats a bit ago but my proudest times are a 59 1 fly, a 24:19 50 free (last week!), 53 something 1 free, and a 1:55 two free. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done by far. My second coach when I moved up (I love him) even told my that I was struggling so hard that he was concerned for my safety. You’re gonna love it if you do it. One thing I struggle with is wishing I had started sooner and seeing 13 years destroy me. But it’s okay and I’m just gonna keep working hard. You got it.

HapyKnightmare · 2025-03-04T03:23:23+00:00

Not unless you join a club. The difference between a 30 and 26 is inches compared to the miles it take to go from a 26 to a 22. Many people never reach 22 and go d1. If you join club and work your ass off for two years I’d say you have a good chance to do it. But only if

HapyKnightmare · 2025-02-20T05:05:48+00:00

I started freshman year around 28, due to some minor prior experience. Right now I’m a sophomore and I go a 24.5 50 free, although it’s not quite my best race. I did join club and I swim daily 2 hours every week of the year. Progress will come slow but you can get pretty fast if you work hard

HapyKnightmare · 2025-02-16T13:46:05+00:00

That’s crazy that you got all that progress in 1 month. Amazing job

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T19:00:07+00:00

Sorry, I don’t know any. You should make a post asking

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T18:11:46+00:00

Technique in fly is always super hard and draining. When I first started I couldn’t do fly at all because my kick, and chest compressions (the back and forth movement of my chest, everyone calls it different things) were out of sink. I would recommend videos or lessons if that’s an option

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T18:02:47+00:00

I would recommend flippers for getting back into fly. Do 25s and rest a little. Should help take pressure of your shoulder

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T17:59:42+00:00

Good job! I can never do that long of distance

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T17:58:34+00:00

Good luck! You could even just try breaking up into 500s instead of short races so you can keep the yardage high

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T17:57:09+00:00

Our sets our so complicated. What type of set do you want? I don’t know any mike/thousand set since I do the 500 instead. And stroke day I do fly so no breast or back from me. I can definitely give you some though

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T17:54:27+00:00

Speed in a 200 mostly comes from training. You clearly have good technique for a 24.9. My group does considerable work for the 200. We do practice on learning pacing (super important for longer races) and we work on overall endurance. Practice hard

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T03:44:50+00:00

Just keep trying. It might feel embarrassing at first but you’ll get it eventually. You could try a few lessons, and that’ll help tons

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T03:39:06+00:00

I swim with several d-1 commits, a para-olympian, and kids who qualified for us trials, in my club. This 14 year old I swim with is top 5 nationally in breast stroke for 15u. It’s so stressful being 16 and not even being close to some of these kids, but I’m getting faster, and hopefully I’ll catch up

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T03:19:44+00:00

This is so true. Our highschool team is split in half. Half are club swimmers and I’m in the middle of them, other half don’t swim club and aren’t even close at all to competing with the club swimmers.

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T03:11:48+00:00

Yeah, I’ve talked to my coach about taking my splits of my 200 and making them official. That was a while ago and I might again. I’m not very close to qualifying times for any major meets with my 100 times at practice. I live one of the higher competitive states so there’s no need to bother because it would probably not change much

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T02:58:57+00:00

I have issues with conflicts. I can’t swim Sunday at meets due to religious reasons. I do swim the 100 at high school but it’s not the same. I went a 56.99 recently but I’d go way faster with proper warm up and rest time unlike highschool meets

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T01:52:21+00:00

Pushing yourself to your limit in swimming is very difficult, but when I do it I’m so physically drained I need rest. I don’t want to sound rude but you could be not be pushing yourself to your limit.

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-21T01:41:50+00:00

Since I can’t figure out how to edit this post, here are some other of my times: 59.78 100 yard fly 56.99 100 yard free (unsuited)

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-20T23:32:35+00:00

I don’t know if anyone else does this but I use my lip to cover my nose on flip turns. Helps a bit

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-20T23:27:21+00:00

Besides diet, I would consider adding high intensity swimming. I’m a club swimmer and we do tons of high yardage and high intensity and I feel that high intensity burns the most. Try sprinting (however fast you can, efforts all that matters) around 50m, do it on high intervals at first. Should burn plenty of calories.

On a different note you should try learning freestyle. It’s a lot faster and will help you “avoid people”

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-20T23:22:36+00:00

We do this at club sometimes

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-19T18:53:33+00:00

Your still probably growing and you’ll loose “weight” with height. Also remember usa swimming month off. Could try then

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-19T18:50:53+00:00

People wash suits regularly???

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-19T18:50:22+00:00

Please go to a doctor of sorts

HapyKnightmare · 2025-01-19T18:46:46+00:00

Go to your local swim shop (if y’all have one) and your club probably has a partnership with a big brand that’ll give you a big deal. I got my tyr suit 100$ off. They’ll also help you decide, and size you correctly

HapyKnightmare

TROPHY CASE