The Days of Taper Told in Photos
You know it, you love it, you look forward to it all year. Taper truly is a swimmer’s dream. Not only does it signal the fastest swimming of the year, it often leaves us with more energy than we’ve had all year. These photos tell the story of taper in a way that all swimmers know to be true.
1. The Week Before
Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr / Swimming Australia Ltd.
The most painful time of the year is easily the week leading up to taper. Those last few hard workouts are often the most brutal of the season.
2. The First Day Confusion
Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr / Swimming Australia Ltd.
Okay, so this is likely harder than you remember it. You forgot that just because taper has started doesn’t mean you’re swimming a 500 and then going home.
3. A Few Days In
Photo Courtesy: Jim Agnew
You forgot what it was like to feel so awake! You’re likely overflowing with energy, but know you can’t use it, which is much harder than you expected.
4. The Broken Swim
Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Self esteem and confidence are likely soaring at this point. You can’t wait to get to the meet and show off what you’ve worked on.
5. Questioning Your Taper
Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr / Swimming Australia Ltd.
Oh no… are you too ready? Did you let off too early? The panicking has likely set in as the meet gets closer, but just relax and trust your coach and your training.
6. The Day Before
Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Your energy, nerves, and excitement are overflowing. You have never been so ready to get in and race with all that extra energy you’ve been saving up.
7. The First Race
Photo Courtesy: Kara Sekenski
It is finally time to get on the block and race. You couldn’t be more excited to get in that pool shaved, tapered, and ready to go.
8. The Last Race
Photo Courtesy: Patrick McLaughlin
You’re likely relying on your teammates to carry you through at this point. You’re ready to finish off this meet strong, but last week’s energy seems crazy.
9. After the Meet
Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr / Swimming Australia Ltd.
Tired, exhausted, and ready for a whole lot of sleep. Goodbye taper, hello bed.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
Peter Sameh Ezzat
Carol Sameh
Bryce Pendock Caitlin Kat Lauren Billson Louisa de Jongh Emma Chelius Matthew Alexander Stephano Roodt
Peter Sameh Ezzat
JoeStott I have no idea what this concept is must be foreign
Actually no…my daughter has done Tapering in her college swim team in Massachusetts. 🙂
we are in the uk Denise Connolly Joe Stott
Woah I don’t think your joke translated to American Shaheen
Hahahaha it’s ok her daughter did do taper tbf Joe Stott Denise Connolly
It’s also important to understanding each individual athlete, because everyone tapers differently, the leaner and thinner the swimmer less time is needed for taper, but swimmers with more muscle mass need more time. Tapers can be tricky especially with longer meets. I’ve seen people swim amazing on the first day and turn to shit by the end of the meet or vise-versa. Nothing sucks worse than working your ass off all year then fucking up your taper.
Batuhan Ünlü
Edward Durham
We think we were late bloomers, but have experienced parts of the taper, just not 100%! 🙂
Jenny Deyerle Cudahy ?
How true
Kabe Tsang kind of me lol
Alice Dufresne jpense faidrait en parler a greg bientôt
Hinnn du taperrrr??? Jpense pas que jconnais ahahhahahahahahah
Jconnnais le taper en floride moi…pas toe?
Or not
Timagineeeee
Michael Hudspith – haha ?
Rachel Lauren Carr for Jeffrey
Kaisin Chang
Kent Fellows. Focus…Believe…Succeed.
Rutendo-munashe Maruta
Kira Kuzemchuk ‘the broken race’ lol
This speaks to my soul
Ben Sappey
Great little bit of swim info for our “littles”.
Élodie Hehlen l’étape 5 😛
Je vois pas du tout de quoi tu parles ??