We don't have a team or compete. We are a small informal group. Everyone comes and swims and the coach coaches us individually. Some people want a formal structured workout and others just swim the strokes they want.

Masters programs vary so much from program to program. I swam with one masters “team” where it was just a printed workout and we were adults just swimming together.

Now I swim with a group with a coach on deck, who adjusts the intervals and times based on different lanes abilities and we can modify things based on what we feel comfortable with. We have former collegiate swimmers and people who could only swim a 25 freestyle at the start. We have a wide range of speed and abilities, some compete and some don’t. There is a “try out” where coach wants to see what your level is at, and if she feels it’s not safe for you yet she recommends her fitness swimming group which also has a coach on deck, but focuses more on the basics, form, and endurance building to be able to handle the masters workouts.

There’s another masters group in my city that is coached by a former NCAA champion and current masters multiple record holder. She swims with the team as she coaches, so if you can’t keep up with her you’re basically not getting coached.

Masters for me is really like adult swim team with opportunities to compete, so if you have no desire to learn different strokes and do a workout that involves them it might not be for you. We’re all very supportive of each other no matter our speeds because in the end most of us are competing with ourselves and there to have fun and workout together. Our group allows a test week before people commit to see if it suits them.

I hope you can "find" a Masters group to match your style.

I've only visited the Master's Swim group at my facility once, but I asked before I tried because I'm slower than a herd of turtles. I was told that the only prerequisite to join is wanting to be a better swimmer. I'm going to go back this week and try again.