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Perfect your stroke in Masters classes

July 29, 2008
By Corinne Bowen
Photography ©2008 Jupiterimages Corporation

 
Swim School Perfect your stroke in Masters classes
 

As a frequent visitor to Soup’s On in Hampden, I have often marveled at the energy of owner and chef Cynthia Shea. It was she who told me about Masters swim classes.

Masters is an organized program of swimming for adults 18 and over. It is competitive swimming for everyone — even for those who are competing against themselves and just want to swim better. Masters swimmers can take part in meets, but competition isn’t required. Beginners and experts swim together and learn from a coach.

I thought swimming might have something to do with Cynthia’s vitality, so I was delighted to accept her invitation to join a morning class at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center in Mount Washington.

I packed a towel, swimsuit and goggles and met Cynthia at the pool at 8:30. After introducing me to Annie Lawler, the Masters coach, Cynthia dove into the water. I tentatively lowered myself into the beginner’s lane and got used to the temperature (the pool is kept at 80 degrees Fahrenheit). I was on the swim team in high school, but I hadn’t kept up the sport. This was the first time I’d been in the water in two years.

A few swimmers treaded water and waited for Coach Annie’s tips while others did freestyle laps in the 50-meter pool. I started out at a good pace, pushing myself to swim faster than everyone else. After a few minutes I was thoroughly exhausted. Annie’s advice: Slow down! I put my ego away when I realized the class wasn’t a contest. The swimmers were a friendly bunch and our shared goal was to have fun and learn to swim well. Throughout the hour-long class, Annie advised swimmers individually, providing tips on technique, breathing and pacing.

Swimming tones and strengthens the entire body while providing a cardiovascular workout. It is a low-impact exercise, which is perfect for those suffering from joint pain or injury. Swimming is also great exercise for pregnant women.

Swimming is also a retreat. I couldn’t talk on the phone, read a book or check my e-mail. If I’d been on the treadmill at the gym, I would have been reading — multitasking the way I do all day long. Instead, I spent an hour in what felt like another world and emerged with energy and a feeling of accomplishment that lasted the rest of the day. That night I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.

To learn more about United States Masters Swimming, visit www.usms.org. Locally, classes are offered at several locations. (See box below.) Call to inquire about fees.

Meadowbrook Aquatic Center

5700 Cottonworth Ave.
P.O. Box 10493
Baltimore 21209
410-433-8300
www.mbrook.com
Introductory Masters Swimming (Coach Annie Lawler):
Adult interval fitness swimming with stroke technique and development. Workouts available to suit individual needs. Great for beginners new to the Masters program. Also good for triathlon training and overall lap-swimming fitness.
Monday,Wednesday, Friday: 9 to 10 a.m.

Regular Masters Swimming:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6 to 7 a.m.
Sunday: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in summer)

Team Meadowbrook Masters Swimming:
Mostly freestyle workouts are offered for triathletes and open-water swimmers. Drill work and distance sets included. Tuesday and Thursday: 6 to 7 a.m.
Saturday: 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.

Merritt’s Downtown Athletic Club

210 E. Centre St.
Baltimore 21202
410-332-0906
http://merrittclubs.com
Tuesday and Thursday: 6:30 to 8 a.m.

CCBC Catonsville Campus

800 South Rolling Road
Catonsville, MD 21228
410-455-4175
www.ccbcmd.edu
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 5:30 to 7:30 a.m.
Saturday: 5:30 to 7:30 a.m.
Sunday: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

 
 
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