The Age-Group Events We Take for Granted
By Mauro Pacsi, Swimming World College Intern
Think back to before you moved up to the 13-14 age group. Before then, as a 12-and-under, you were accustomed to doing only two laps per event, maybe even four once in a while. You dreaded the thought of moving up to eight lap events, so you desperately hung on to the events you became so accustomed to. The events I’m referring to are the 50s of butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke, and the 100 individual medley. For many, these were the most fun events in age-group swimming.
Usually, the best meet lineup someone could have would be some stroke 50s and then they were done! Unfortunately, for high schoolers and college swimmers, we don’t have that luxury at most of our meets. Our only opportunities lie within a time trial or in a relay.
So, why were these age-group events so much fun? Why do we miss them so much? Maybe because they were all sprints. They were short, and no swimmer was opposed to swimming them. In order to provide some sort of an answer, here are my personal reasons for missing such thrilling events.
The Fast Underwater Kicks
There is no questioning if you are faster under or on top of the water. In the 50 backstroke and butterfly, there is ample opportunity to kick all the way out to the 15-yard mark. Breaststroke is the stroke with the only exception to even emerge farther than 15 yards. By maximizing the momentum from your dive to your underwaters, the probability to move faster and take less strokes within the two laps dramatically increases. When this happens, you feel as fast as a torpedo traveling through the pool. Once put together perfectly, there are few things that feel more exciting while racing.
How Crucial the Start Was
Getting off the blocks in a sprint 50 can get you out to an early lead. That lead that you seek forms up to the moment to step up. The anticipation building up to the sendoff as you get into a starting position seemingly sends chills down your spine. As you take your mark and grip onto the block, you feel like a cannon ball, waiting to be shot out of the cannon itself. It is all about who hits the water first and gets going!
How Short The Meet Lineup Was
As I said before, if you had only 50s as your meet lineup, you were the happiest swimmer around. Even if you had a 100 IM paired with the 50s, you would still be in and out of the meet in no time! Not to mention how short the races themselves were. It is hard to argue against that, unless you bring in the 25-yard events. However, those are especially reserved for the 10-and-under age group.
A Different Stroke Each Lap in the 100 IM
The 100 IM allows you to turn each 25 (Fly/Back/Breast) into its own race. The only option in each of those individual sub races is to simply sprint! The changing of gears from stroke to stroke as a kid was really fun. It was the introduction to putting all the strokes together. Some swimmers might miss being able to sprint the entirety of an IM race, since the 200 IM and 400 IM usually do not follow that same strategy.
Perhaps my personal feelings can be sympathized with many other swimmers reminiscing about their pasts. If I had the opportunity to swim some 50s and the 100 IM again, I know I would now not take them for granted. However, if FINA ever goes through with adding the 50s to the Olympic Games, then perhaps anything is possible.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.