Life After High School Swimming: The Options are Plentiful
By Allison Barrie & Michael Kidd
Aspirational goal setting and expectation management clash as coaches and swimmers navigate the critical years leading up to a swimmer’s high school graduation. The allure of Olympic glory or college scholarships motivates many young swimmers to push themselves to reach their full potential. Uncounted masses of swimmers have idealistic expectations of their path forward. A handful of them will end up reaching the highest levels of the sport – but for most, even those that seem the most promising, a peak at a more modest level is as far as they will get.
The very best coaches inspire kids to believe that anything is possible, and because of that, their athletes will progress farther along than they would without that shining vision. While we believe that this is absolutely the right way to talk to young swimmers, we think that it is also important to address alternative options, should the path to Division I or the Olympics be too steep of a climb. Some swimmers decide that their academic or post-high school goals are at odds with their athletic ability and others just don’t realize the full scope of their options. Many high school swimmers who do not find themselves as scholarship recruits will fade away from the sport, either looking fondly back on their high school team or at worst, becoming disenfranchised and frustrated that they did not reach their younger goals.
So…. if you are not going to make it to the big show what do you do? Well fortunately right now is a great time to be a transitioning high school swimmer. There are many paths to a post high school swimming career.
Some of us love to compete and are not ready to give that up, others just want to stay fit, many crave a social group of like-minded people, and even others want to set themselves up for future professional success after athletics. Depending on what your goals are, we recommend swimmers and coaches consider some of these options.
College Walk-On Opportunities
Embarking on a college swimming journey transcends the pursuit of scholarships, presenting a world where dedication and opportunity converge, even for athletes without scholarships. Being an integral part of a college team provides numerous advantages beyond the pool, including considerations for admissions, enhanced academic support, and a profound sense of community. Contributing to the team’s spirit and ethos represents a significant accomplishment in its own right. When scouting dream colleges, swimmers should evaluate not only the top performers but also the breadth of the team’s roster. Stuttgart (Germany) Piranhas Coach Joe Johnson advised that swimmers can gain a phenomenal swim experience, even without coming from the highest-end swim programs.
If your times align with the bottom quarter of swimmers at the school you plan to attend, embracing the chance to try out as a non-scholarship athlete could be a game-changer. This role, though not spotlighted, offers a unique collegiate experience, enriching both your academic and athletic paths. The experience of being part of prestigious programs, even if not as a star athlete, can open myriad doors, offering enriching experiences that blend athletic discipline with academic achievement.
The Community and Competition of Club Swimming
Club swimming serves as a bridge from high school to continued engagement with the sport, offering an environment ripe with camaraderie and competitive zeal. It’s a venue where the love for swimming thrives, bolstered by the pursuit of both personal and shared ambitions. This choice maintains the competitive edge while fostering enduring friendships and solidifying one’s place within the broader swimming community. Moreover, club swimming can be a conduit for ongoing improvement and exposure to higher levels of competition, ensuring that the passion for swimming is continually nurtured and evolved.
Intramural Sports: Beyond the Pool
Intramural sports offer swimmers a vibrant avenue to diversify their college experience far beyond traditional athletic commitments. This unique opportunity goes beyond mere physical activity; it’s a gateway to forging new friendships, exploring varied sports, and immersing yourself in the college ethos. Swimmers can leverage their athletic prowess in a spectrum of sports, promoting a well-rounded and enriched college life. This pathway not only enables athletes to maintain an active lifestyle but also facilitates their integration into diverse social networks, enriching their collegiate journey with unforgettable experiences and broadened horizons.
Masters Swimming: A Network of Passion and Profession
Masters swimming emerges as a cornerstone for athletes seeking to meld their aquatic passion with professional networking opportunities. It goes beyond the conventional goals of fitness maintenance and competition, by offering a diverse platform for cross-sectoral connections. This environment is perfect for establishing professional relationships and uncovering career prospects, underscoring the pool as a nexus for more than just athletic pursuits. The serendipitous meetings with professionals in your swim lanes can lead to conversations about internships and job opportunities, exemplifying the unique blend of personal development and professional networking inherent in masters’ swimming.
The Thrill of Triathlons and Open Water Swimming
Triathlons and open-water swimming invite swimmers to embrace the exhilarating challenge of competing beyond the pool’s edge. These disciplines unveil a new arena of competition and self-exploration, pushing the boundaries of personal potential in the expansive realms of nature. The solidarity found in relay teams and the awe-inspiring settings of open-water races offer unparalleled opportunities for athletes to test their mettle in diverse environments. This path is ideal for those eager to explore their physical limits and engage with the aquatic world in a profoundly adventurous manner.
Part-Time and College Work Opportunities in Sports
Swimmers can utilize their unique athletic skill set for part-time jobs or college work opportunities closely related to their sport. Coaching positions, whether as an assistant coach for local teams or an instructor at swim clinics, provide a platform to share expertise and give back to the swimming community. Additionally, lifeguarding roles capitalize on swimmers’ aquatic skills and certifications, offering rewarding work experiences by the pool or even at the beach. These opportunities supplement income and enrich the collegiate experience, fostering connections and enhancing resumes with relevant work experiences.
Long-Term Professional Opportunities in Sports
Looking ahead, swimmers should consider the long-term professional avenues that their passion for sports can afford. Fields such as sports management, kinesiology, physical therapy, and sports journalism offer pathways to careers closely tied to the athletic world. Pursuing academic programs in these areas can provide the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for impactful roles within the sports industry. Whether aiming to become a sports therapist, manager, or journalist, swimmers have the opportunity to turn their athletic dedication into a professional calling, ensuring a lifetime engagement with the world of sports.
We invite all swimmers and coaches to view the transition from high school swimming not as an end but as the beginning of a diverse and fulfilling journey. The pool might be where you started, but the skills, discipline, and connections you’ve forged along the way can propel you to success in various aspects of life. Discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure are qualities that stay with any swimmer as they retire from their high school teams.
Remember, once a swimmer, always a swimmer.
About the Authors: Allison competes for the Stuttgart (Germany) Piranhas and is planning her next steps after high school and Michael coaches with the Naples (Italy) Tiger Sharks.