Everyone who once swam or is on a swim team knows how weird swimmers can be. From the traditions to pasta nights to small swimsuits we are pretty different.
1. Swimsuits-
Every swimmer despite hating the tight competition suit can't help but love their one piece or jammers. I personally love my one piece for the fact I never have to worry when I jump in that it will come off. A one piece is more secure for playing sharks and minnows, which when played with your teammates is like a fight to the death. Also every swim girl knows how to change into her swimsuit without flashing the world. Every girl who swam has also known the struggle of tying their swimsuit straps tighter because they don't want to have to buy another.
2. Pasta Parties-
Every swim team has some sort of pre-meet dinner usually. For me it was pasta parties where everyone stuffed themselves to capacity and fought over olive garden bread sticks. We only eat like we never have eaten before because our coach kills us everyday at practice. Then after we no longer are on a team its weird to no longer eat four meals a day or endless snacks.
3. Lane Buddies-
Everyone who has swam before knows that your team is a family, and your lane are like those siblings you are super close to because you spend 24/7 with them. While doing kicks you talk about stuff like relationships or what you have to do that week.
4. Always Together-
Swim teams spend so much time together. You practice together, feeling like your dying together, and win together. You spend majority of your time together. Many people are lifeguards on swim teams so many times you work at the same place with someone from your team. I guess thats what happens when you spend so much time practicing and being weird together. But the close friendships you build while on swim team make it awesome. The team will always be there for you whether it be your highs or lows. I am still close with people I swam with in high school even though I am in college.
5. Stroke Work-
I am guilty of this one for sure. Every time I see people swimming I am like they should be doing it this way. Or many times you try to teach people how to improve their stroke or do flip turns in your spare time. And low key wonder if when you first started swimming if your stroke was that awful (dying dolphin???).
In the end every swimmer or former swimmer cannot help but feel so thankful for all their coach and team every did for them. Cause truly swim teams build friendships that last a lifetime.
