Mind you, these obstacles are not insurmountable.  They just make it a little more difficult.  I was just thinking how I would have loved to have been on my high school swim team (lo so many years ago!), but I thought it was impossible for some of the following reasons:

5.  I can’t swim I ‘m not a strong swimmer

I didn’t know that coaches are willing to work with someone, especially someone with passion for the sport.  That whole deal about you have to swim a LOT of laps is true.  That just makes you stronger, and stronger is a good thing in competitive swimming.

4.  Black people can’t don’t float

Ok, so we have denser bones and muscles.  So that affects buoyancy, but again, strength comes in the picture.  Denser muscle translates into power for speed, something you need in competitive swimming, no?

3. the hair

This is a biggie.  If I had swum in High School, I probably would have joined the ranks of the *bald-headed,* because of the chemicals in the pool clashing with the chemicals in my perm.  But guess what?  Chlorine is bad for everybody’s hair.  Maybe just a little worse for a permed head.  So don’t wear a perm!  Some folks solve the problem by locking their hair.  Others go with extensions.  I wear my hair natural and have it monitored regularly by my hairdresser.  I ultimately chose the pool chemicals over hair chemicals, because I just had to swim!  This is a sport you can do until you’re old.  You can do this if you can’t walk.  It’s like weight training, stretching and running all in one.

2.  the skin

Can you say “ashy?”  You will have to double up on moisturizer, baby oil, vaseline, lotion, etc. if you’re going to swim.  Think of it as spa treatment.

1.  I don’t know anyone who swims. . .

While swimming is a great sport for solitude, (it’s hard to talk and breathe at the same time, heh), it’s also a warm community.  I remember when I started swimming at the Y, I met an older woman who admired my breast stroke.  She invited me out to breakfast with all the other swimmers.  I was so taken aback by being called a swimmer that I didn’t know what to do with myself.

Another option is to go with friends.  You all can learn together, or get better together.  I love seeing someone I know at the pool!

My point is, don’t let any of these things stop you.  If you want to swim, go for it!  If you’re looking for a gentle, yet strenuous exercise program, swim!  Try it!  You won’t regret it.