Summer Swimming: A Fun Look at the Pros and Cons

phelps-berens-lochte-ny-daily-news
Photo Courtesy: NY Daily News

Summer Swimming: A Fun Look at the Pros and Cons

Swimming forces us to go to bed early in the summer, but the long course season comes with quite a few perks you may not have thought of before. Here are 11 reasons why it does (and doesn’t) pay to be a swimmer in the summer:

1. Abs

Core training

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

You’ll always have a six pack to show off at the beach! Never worry like your non-swimming friends about doing that latest crazy diet to get those abs.

2. Race your football-playing friends at pool parties.

110603-N-AD372-308 PANAMA CITY, Fla. (June 3, 2011) Students at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center play underwater football to cool down after physical training. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Abraham Essenmacher/Released)

Photo Courtesy: Abraham Essenmacher

Nothing is more satisfying than finally being able to shut up all your non-swimming friends who think they could still beat you in a race. What’s even better is you can do it without goggles and in a bikini – and still win.

3. Jobs Come Easy

Photo Courtesy: VBLA

Photo Courtesy: VBLA

Beach guarding, pool guarding and swim lessons are in high demand in the summer. Everybody wants their child to learn how to swim and you can give them private lessons on something that comes as easy to you as breathing. Guarding is also a great summer job because you’re a necessity to your beach or pool since you’ll be able to make rescues so fast and reliably. Plus, the tan is awesome.

4. Get to Practice Outside

outdoor-pool-allie-peters

Photo Courtesy: Allie Peters

Although a lot of sports get to practice outside, only we get to do it in the most optimal weather only. Hopefully no one’s coach makes them swim outside in 32-degree weather?

5. Open Water Competitions

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

One of my favorite parts of the summer is getting to race in ocean miles. This is a really fun and relaxed way to see how in shape your body is. Bonus – you get a free t-shirt, bagels and orange juice after!

6. Already Comfortable in a Suit

wheaton-swimming-training-trip-team (2)

Photo Courtesy: Kelley Baylis

While all your non-swimming friends are uncomfortable being in their suits this summer, it will feel like second nature to you. We’re pretty much naked the majority of our lives since we live in our suits, so why would be need to be uncomfortable?

7. It’s OK that your hair is always wet.

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

No more worrying about your hair freezing as you walk outside or to your car. Also, the wet and beachy hair look trends in the summer, so you already have a leg-up on your friends.

8. Awkward Tans

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Photo Courtesy: Kelley Baylis

Yes, getting to practice outside is the best and is a great change of scenery from staring at the white walls and roof of your pool. But with this, comes those terrible tan lines – especially if you’re a girl. No one enjoys having those big circles on our backs. If you’re worried about this for the upcoming summer, try ordering your two-piece practice suits ASAP to avoid these!

9. Up at the Crack of Dawn

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Photo Courtesy: Shaun Killen

Even in the summer when our non-athletic friends get to sleep in until noon just like during the school year, we are up before the sun. At least we have more time to get in a nap!

10. Not being too excited for pool parties…

energetic-kids

Photo Courtesy: Reddit

All my non-swimming friends are always so excited to come to my house and swim in my pool. But being in a pool 98 percent of my life makes me much less likely to jump in with them and more likely just to lie on a float and nap.

11. Early bed times against your will

hawaii-sleep

Photo Courtesy: Sophie Allen

No, I don’t mean your parents are going to start giving you a bedtime again. Your body does this for you. When you’re up at the crack of dawn and then out in the sun all day, your body tends to fall asleep much earlier than in the winter. This is just something that happens like magic.

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