Commentary by Benny Liang, Swimming World College Intern
In the weeks to come, many college swim teams will be flying south for the winter. By this, I am referring to the annual migration away from the snow-blanketed lands of the north to the sun-kissed beaches of the south. Training trips often represent the toughest phase of training in the season. Afterward, swimmers get to back down on the yardage and tune-up for their end-of-season championships. Though the next few weeks will be the most demanding in the pool, here are eight things to look forward to in a training trip.
1. No School!
Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
If you’ve ever gone through the late night cram for a test and then gone to morning practice the next day, you know what I’m talking about. Here’s another way to put it. Being able to sleep without having to worry if you forgot about an assignment is pretty nice. Not having assignments to do in the first place is even better.
2. Focusing on Training
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Similar to the last point, not having to devote time and energy to the demands of your professors means you can put even more into your training. Since you have no essays to write or problems to solve, the time between practices can be budgeted for the important things fora swimmer: eating and sleeping. Better recovery means you will have higher energy levels than usual to put into your training.
3. Spending Time with Your Team
Photo Courtesy: NC State Athletics
It would be foolish to suggest that all of your free time should be spent eating and sleeping. After all, you’re in a new place, with few responsibilities outside of training, with your best buddies. Now is the time to strengthen the bond within your group and really get to know the people you’ve chosen to spend your four years in college with.
4. Sunny Weather
Photo Courtesy: Lola Gomez, Daytona Beach News Journal
One of the best things about a place like Florida or California is that it’s warm almost all the time. Warm weather means a wardrobe change. While other winter sports teams such as wrestling and basketball can be found huddled under blankets, you have the luxury of swapping out sweaters for tank tops and boots for flip-flips.
5. New Training Location
Photo Courtesy: City of Fort Lauderdale
As much as you may love your home pool, it can get a little… stale. After four months of swimming back and forth in the same pool, a change in venue can be just what you need. It’s exciting to go somewhere new, and this can be exactly what you need to push your training to the next level.
6. The Beach!
Photo Courtesy: Erin Himes
Contrary to popular belief, the ocean is not just the next step in long course training. While the odds are that you will swim an open water practice during training trip, the main thing to look forward to here is the beach. It’s a warm, sandy place to hang out and relax with your team. If you aren’t quite tired enough from swimming, you can also play games such as ultimate frisbee or volleyball, which are perfect for the beach.
7. Long Course
Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Images
Some people love it, some people hate it. But seeing how the American collegiate system is so focused on training in short course yards, long course can be helpful in developing key aspects of your stroke. While short course rewards the swimmers ability to get the most out of turns and breakouts, long course swimming is a test of just that: swimming. By spending more time swimming, you learn to fine tune the details to get the most out of each stroke.
8. Meeting Other Teams
Photo Courtesy: Meaghan Abelein
During a training trip, you will see a lot of new things. A new city, a new pool, and probably a new team too. Most pools will host multiple teams, but this doesn’t mean you’ll be crowded for lane space. Rather, this is an opportunity to talk to swimmers from other schools and learn about other ways to train. Understanding different team cultures can be an extremely gratifying experience.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
A quote I’ll never forget at the beginning of my first trip: “It’s really easy. All you have to do is swim”.
Brittany Archer
Isabella Cesareo
Go Aztecs, that’s your pool!!!!
For you, Nick – enjoy Coronado:) xoxo mom
Chico State Swimming. Newport Beach. 1988. Awesome.