Do I have to be a competitive-level swimmer?
Absolutely not. The Rainbow Trout is made up of all levels of swimmers. All we ask is that you can swim freestyle for 50 yards. As long as you can do that you can join our team.
Do I have to be fast?
No. The Trout has all speeds of swimmers. Swim practice is broken down into multiple lanes with each lane being a different level and speed of swimmer, from slow to fast. Beginners simply start in the slow lane and then move up as they improve.
Do I have to swim in meets?
No. Our team doesn’t require members to compete in swim meets. We do hope that after a few years of swimming with us that you might enjoy competing in the local meets with us. If you’ve never been to a masters swim meet you should come and cheer us on. You’ll discover that masters swim meets are really more about socializing and having fun than heavy competition.
Do you provide swimming lessons?
We do not provide swim lessons for beginners. We do require that you can swim freestyle for at least 50 yards. However, our team does provide a coach who assists each swimmer with their stroke and form.
What swim strokes do I need to know to join?
We only require that you know freestyle. Our coaches will be able to help you learn and improve breast, butterfly, and back.
Do I have to have a “swimmers build” to join?
Our team is human too! We have all shapes, sizes, and ages of swimmers. Just look at the pictures on this website. All the photos are of our team members. We always welcome new members that are trying to get back into “the routine”.
Do I have to wear a speedo?
You can wear any kind of swimsuit that makes you comfortable. There are a variety of suit styles that members wear. Just come to a practice and check them all out!
Where is a good place in Atlanta to buy swimsuits, gear, etc.?
Most sporting gear stores have a good selection such as Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Do I have to attend all the practices to join?
No. We offer four swim practices a week just to try to meet everyone’s busy schedule. Very few can do all of these practices.
It’s been a long time since I’ve swam. Do I have to swim the entire practice?
No! We understand it takes a while to get into swimming condition. It’s okay to swim what you can and then get out early. It’s also okay to rest on the wall while your lane continues to swim. We always recommend returning swimmers listen to their heart rate and rest when they need to.
What should I bring with me to practice?
You will need to bring your suit, a towel, and goggles. The GA Tech Aquatics facility provides kick boards and pool buoys. There are locker rooms for showering and changing after practice.
What does a swim practice consist of?
A swim practice or workout lasts for an hour and thirty minutes. The coach provides each lane with a workout sheet to follow. The sheet consists of instructions about what to swim during the workout. Each practice workout varies, but they usually consist of swimming each stroke, kicking, pulling, and drilling. Here’s an example of a practice workout.
What’s this I hear about a swimmers language?
Practice workouts are communicated in a secret language that only swimmers can understand. Actually it’s just abbreviations for what stroke to swim, how far to swim that stroke, how much to rest, and how much effort to put into it. It can be intimidating at first, but doesn’t take long to learn. Just ask someone else in the lane what it means, or ask the coach. Here’s a list of common abbreviations that we use for our workouts.
Do I need to join the team before I come to practice?
No. Your first few practices are on us. You just need to request the Free Practice Trial Membership on our memberships page and we’ll email you further instructions. [link to page]
How do I join full-time?
It’s easy, go to our Members area and follow the instructions for new members.
How often are there social events for the team?
Swimmers have a Sunday after practice lunch several times a month. Water Polo has Pizza almost after every Friday practice. We have an annual awards banquet in the fall, and in the summer we have our team pool party. Various other events take place throughout the year.
How do I pay for membership?
We offer daily, monthly, and yearly memberships. Team members pay with our team management solution, Zen Planner. For exact pricing visit our Members area.
I still have some questions, can I email someone?
Just email us at membership@atlantarainbowtrout.com