19 Things Non-Swimmers Say to You When You’re Leaving for Training Trip
![icebergs_bondi_beach_pool_2016](https://vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/icebergs_bondi_beach_pool_2016-1024x768.jpg)
It’s that time of year when collegiate swimmers travel across (or even outside) the country to train at the next level. Most people look at you in awe when you tell them what tropical location you’re headed to to soak up the sun. However, they never really interpret the true purpose of training trip.
Here are 19 things non-swimmers might say when you’re leaving for training trip.
1. “You’re going to (insert location here)? You’re so lucky!”
![A swimmer in the inaugural Alligator Reef Lighthouse Swim head back to the beach Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, escorted by a kayaker off Islamorada, Fla. The 8-mile Atlantic Ocean course off the Florida Keys has participants swimming to Alligator Reef Lighthouse and back. The event has attracted 154 swimmers and is being staged to raise awareness for the need to preserve six aging lighthouses off the Keys island chain. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/)](https://vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/swim-for-alligator-lighthouse-2-503x500.jpg)
Photo Courtesy: Andy Newman
2. “Why do you go to (insert location here)?
3. “Isn’t this like a tease for spring break?”
4. “Why do you swim in a longer pool?”
5. “Why don’t you swim in a longer pool all the time?”
6. “Is the pool outside?
7. “Does the sun get in your eyes while you swim?”
8. “I went to (insert location here) once; it was so fun!”
9. “You’re gonna get so tan!”
10. “Do you wear bikinis?”
11. “Do you swim in the ocean?”
![Noah Zhang, 17, strokes his way to victory in the open-water Swim for Alligator Lighthouse Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, off Islamorada, Fla. Zhang completed the 9-mile-long ocean swim in 3 hours and 46 minutes. The competition attracted 181 contestants and was staged to create awareness of a need to preserve Alligator Lighthouse and five more historic lighthouses off the Florida Keys. Each lighthouse is more than 130 years old and no longer maintained because of modern advances in maritime navigation. (Bob Care/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP)](https://vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/noah-zhang-swim-for-alligator-lighthouse-700x500.jpg)
Photo Courtesy: Bob Care
12. “Are you going to a competition?”
13. “Do you get to go to parties?
14. “I’m so jealous!”
15. “You make it sound so awful!”
![simone-manuel-tears-shock-crying-gold-medal-100-freestyle](https://vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/simone-manuel-tears-shock-crying-gold-medal-100-freestyle-700x500.jpg)
Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
16. “How long do you actually practice for?”
17. “Do you spend all day at the beach?”
18. “Why do you have to go back to school early?”
19. “That sounds so fun!”
![cannonballs-for-kayne](https://vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2016-12-12-at-8.44.00-PM-700x500.png)
Photo Courtesy: Lola Gomez, Daytona Beach News Journal
Although training trip is a great time to focus on training and bond with teammates, it can be a trying time for athletes that non-swimmers might never understand.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff
Caitlin Campbell
Anais?