20 Struggles Of Being A Swimmer

Here is a list of just 20 of the struggles that swimmers face as they go throughout their daily lives in the pool, out of the pool, and beyond.

Aug 16, 2017

If you're a swimmer then you are fully aware that bearing that title comes with a few ups and downs. If you're a swimmer you are fully aware that this sport isn't for those who are broken easily, unable to overcome defeat, or too interested in having well kept hair as opposed to a well kept tech suit. Here, we look at just twenty of the many struggles swimmers may face on a day to day basis.

1) Having Hair That Feels Like Straw

If you don't wear a cap to practice your hair may be on the verge of breaking in half, if you have any left that is. Furthermore, even if you do wear a cap that chlorinated hair poison still finds its way under it to run any chances you had of having a good hair day.

2) Smelling Like You're Wearing Chlorine Perfume

It's inevitable, undeniable, and potent. Most of us are in chlorine twice a day, for five or more days out of the week, and no matter what we do...it follows us everywhere we go.

3) Waking Up For Early Morning Practice

Beep Beep Beep. It's 4:30am again and it's time to wake up, get up, get changed, and head to the pool to submerge yourself in (likely) freezing cold water.

4) Constantly Having Foggy Goggles

Where am I?
Who is that?
What is this?
*wipes down goggles*
Oh that's a wall.
*puts goggles back on*
*swims 50 meters*
Where am I?
Who is that?
What is this?

5) Smacking Hands With A Teammate At Practice

"Ow. Pay attention to where you are going you...."

6) Having To Do Butterfly In General

Butterfly, in swimming terms, really has nothing to do with the beautiful creatures that unfortunately share a name with this stupidly exhausting stroke.

7) Setting Aside The Time To Put On Tech Suits

Takes a goo 30 minutes if you've got the right size suit. Takes a good 45 minutes if you missed too many practices and ate a few too many donuts during taper.

8) Goggles Falling Off During A Race

Just get out and go home right? Wrong. If Phelps could win gold at the Olympics with water filled goggles you can suck it up and finish your race....

...and add 45 seconds in the process.

9) Caps Ripping...Ever

Are you kidding me? Now my hair is going to feel like straw (refer to #1).

10) Dealing With Uninformed Non-Swimmers

Q: Did you win your meet?
A: No. Wait. Yes. I won individually, but my team got 427th. So I guess I....nevermind.

Q: Are you going to the Olympics?
A: Depends, how much are tickets?

Q: I could probably beat you if we raced.
A: Maybe if you we're being dragged by a boat. With a tech suit on. And I forgot to show up.

Q: Do you wear a speedo?
A: Why yes. Yes I do. Unless it's time to wear a tech suit. Then it's a jammer. But we won't get into that because you're a land creature.

Q: Can you do THE butterfly stroke?
A: Not that well. But yes I can indeed do THE BUTTERFLY STROKE.

11) Saying "No" To Everyone

Q: Wanna hang out after school?
A: Can't. I've got practice.

Q: Want to get coffee tomorrow morning?
A: Would, but I've got practice.

Q: Want to go to the water park this weekend?
A: No. I spend more than enough time in water during the week. If you need me this weekend I will be anywhere that is dry.

Q: Can you do THE butterfly stroke?
A: No. Wait, yes. But just call it butterfly.

12) Getting Calf Cramps

OH BOY! HERE WE GO! YEPP! IT'S HAPPENIN! YOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWZA!

13) Sporadic Shoulder Pain

*Does a pull set*
"Ouch, my shoulder isn't feeling the best."

*Does a regular set*
"Ouch, my shoulder isn't feeling the best."

*Does one stroke of butterfly*
"Ouch, my shoulder isn't feeling the best."

*Picks up a fork*
"Ouch, my shoulder isn't feeling the best."

14) Those People That Sprint Warm-up

Coach: "Alright we're going to do an 800 nice and easy."

Swimmer: "WOOOO!!! TIME ME!"

*SPLASH*

15) Hitting The Lane Line

Stroke. Stroke. Stroke. Stroke. SMACK. Broken Finger. ER. Out for the season. Career over.

16) Missing The Wall

One of the most depressing feelings in the entire sport.
Flip.
Full extension.
No movement.
Lack of power boost from pushing off of the wall.
From first to last in an instant.