By Erin Himes, Swimming World College Intern
Growing up, swimming was often written off as an “individual sport,” and therefore a less fun one. And maybe one would think that as you progress into higher levels, that would be increasingly true, but any swimmer will tell you it is quite the opposite. As the Olympics prove to us the value of team, here are four everyday ways swimming consistently proves it is not an individual sport.
1. When everyone cheers each other on during a rough set.
Photo Courtesy: Kelsey Lynch
We all know the feeling well: in the midst of an impossibly hard set, everyone in the pool goes silent as they struggle through. The silence though, only seems to make each lap harder– which is why one of the best moments is when one person decides to break that silence by cheering their teammates on, sparking the energy back into the pool. It’s one of those moments that proves the importance of teammates in the water.
2. When a teammate comes to your rescue without being asked.
Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers
The power of team in swimming doesn’t stop at practice. Swimming proves itself as a team sport when teammates seem to know when someone needs help during a meet, whether it be a last minute lap counter or help getting into a tight new technical suit. Somehow, someone always pulls through, often without being asked. Teammates are obviously the only people to be trusted with these responsibilities.
3. When the best of the best consistently choose college over sponsorship money.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
For many young Olympians, there is an opportunity to profit from their talent and hard work in sponsorships, which would eliminate them from collegiate competition. However, so many choose to forgo this to go to college, knowing that the experience of contributing to and being a part of a team is irreplaceable. Notably, both Katie Ledecky and Missy Franklin have pursued collegiate competition for these exact reasons.
4. When that one swim inspires the whole team.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Whether it be in practice or in meets, at least once a week during swim season I find myself in awe of something my teammates just did. Anything from an insane pace they held during a set or a best time in a meet inspires the entire team to be better. Good swimming and positive attitudes are contagious, and the power of team becomes evident in these moments.
To an outsider, swimming may seem individual, but to those involved, swimming is the ultimate team sport.