10 Things ‘Swammers’ Miss About the Sport
There’s something about swimming that never really leaves you. Even after the early mornings end and the goggles are packed away for good, the sport lingers in muscle memory, daily routines and nostalgia. For former swimmers or “swammers,” as some like to say, these are the moments that still stick.
1. The Feeling of Finishing a Meet
There’s a different level of exhaustion that comes with a long meet. It’s not just physical, it’s also emotional. After days spent racing, warming up and down and preparing for swims, finishing a meet feels like crossing an invisible finish line. You’re tired, hungry and ready to go home, but there’s also accomplishment in those new times and hours logged in the water that makes it all worth it.
2. A Saturday Morning Practice
Saturday morning practices are rarely easy and finishing one can feel like winning a small battle. While the rest of the world slept in, swimmers had already put in thousands of yards. Walking out of the pool before most people started their day brings a quiet sense of pride, the kind only swimmers really understand. Finishing practice out with a massive breakfast after with your teammates also brings the whole experience together.
3. Reaching Flow State in a Race
Every once in a while, a race just clicks. You’re not thinking about stroke count or splits, you’re just moving. The water feels lighter, your breathing is controlled and everything falls into rhythm. Those rare moments of flow are addictive, and they’re something swimmers chase long after their careers end.
4. That Chlorine Scent
This might depend on the person, but the smell of chlorine that fills every nook and cranny of an indoor pool holds intense nostalgia. For years after leaving the sport, walking into a pool and catching that familiar scent feels oddly comforting. It brings back memories of early mornings, damp towels and long days spent on deck.
5. The Athletic Ability
Swimming builds a level of full-body athleticism that’s hard to replicate. Strength, endurance and coordination come together in a way that carries over into everyday life. Many swimmers don’t realize how strong they’ve become until they step away from the sport and feel the difference. It can be difficult to maintain that level of athleticism in the years after leaving the sport behind.
6. The Moments Before a Race
Standing behind the blocks before a race is its own experience. The anticipation for your race which leads to a spiking heart rate and everything narrows down to the next few minutes. Those moments, combining nerves and excitement, are times that you’ll remember and crave years after your last practice.
7. Racing on a Relay With Teammates
Relays turn an individual sport into a team effort. Racing for something bigger than just your personal swims, depending on your teammates and feeling the energy on the block before a takeoff creates an unmatched adrenaline rush. Win or lose, relays often produce the loudest cheers and the best memories with your teammates.
8. Conversations Between Sets
One of the lighter parts of the sport comes during rest between sets. Throughout their careers, swimmers become used to conversing in 10-second windows, often starting a sentence, pushing off the wall and finishing it a lap later. Those quick exchanges, rushed and out of breath, can build friendships that last far beyond the pool.
9. Finally Getting Technique Right
Technique is one of the most frustrating yet rewarding parts of swimming. Whether it’s fixing a butterfly tempo or adjusting a freestyle hand entry, getting it right takes time. When everything finally clicks, it feels like unlocking a missing piece that leads to faster times and better swimming.
10. Dropping Time After a Long Wait
Dropping time is always a good feeling, but it means more when the journey has been long. After months of hard work and stalled progress, seeing the clock finally move brings real catharsis. It’s a reminder that effort adds up, even when it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.
For swimmers, these moments aren’t just memories, they’re reminders of a sport that have shaped their lives. Even years later, being a “swammer” is something you never really stop being.
