Mike Westphal, Indiana swimming coach, works as the Associate Head Coach for the men’s and women’s teams at Linfield College. Here, Mr. Westphal is responsible for advising and counseling student athletes with academic, athletic, and personal career goals. Many of Coach Westphal’s student athletes have gone on to the Olympics, winning a variety of medals since the 2015 summer games. In the following article, Mike Westphal, Indiana swimming coach discusses post-college swimming – how to stay in the pool and just keep swimming.
After graduation, many NCAA swimmers are left wondering how they can continue their training and swim at a competitive level. While some may represent their nation at international competitions, the overwhelming majority will struggle to balance a career with their sport. However, Mike Westphal, Indiana swimming coach says that by joining a local swim team, becoming a coach, or enrolling in a U.S. Masters Swimming program, college athletes can continue to enjoy the benefits of swimming explains Mike Westphal.
Society might expect college graduates to join the rat race of a career but that doesn’t mean that swimmers have to sacrifice their many years of hard work. By actively choosing to stay involved, college swimmers can enjoy the competitive side of their sport, as well as the health and mental benefits of daily exercise.
The Benefits of Swimming After Graduation
For most swimmers, competing at a college level was about more than just winning or staying in shape. It was a family built around a common interest and a drive to succeed. After graduation, though, it’s important for college swimmers to refocus their love of the sport into something more personal. Mike Westphal says that it helps to tap into the health and mental benefits of swimming.
Swimming is an excellent way to
stay in shape and it’s a low-impact sport, so it’s easy on the joints. Mike Westphal says that this will prove especially important after you graduate if you want to maintain your body’s metabolism. Suddenly quitting an intensive training routine can shock your system, which is used to burning thousands of calories a day, causing you to quickly gain weight.
Swimming is also a great way to relieve stress. When you’re in the pool, your attention stays focused on your breathing and your stroke, helping to create an almost-meditative state. It’s a great way to clear your head after a long day and can reduce the stress of an office job says Mike Westphal, Indiana swimming coach.
Joining a Local Swim Team to Compete
Many college swimmers find that the best way to stay involved in the sport is to join a local swim team. This gives them the opportunity to swim competitively, as well as the chance to socialize and meet new people. Mike Westphal says that this can prove invaluable for former college athletes who struggle to maintain their community after leaving school.
Most local swim teams are
based out of YMCAs, community pools, and recreation centers. These teams typically hold practices a few times a week and compete in meets on the weekends. These meets are often open to the public, allowing college athletes to meet a wide variety of people who may have never competed at a collegiate level.
Coaching Swimming After College
Mike Westphal says that some former college athletes find that the best way to maintain their love for the sport is to coach. This can be a great way to stay involved in the swimming community and to give back to the sport that has given them so much. Coaching can be a very rewarding experience, but it’s important to remember that it’s also a lot of work.
Coaches are responsible for developing practice plans, working with swimmers to improve their technique, and managing meet logistics. Additionally, coaches spend a lot less time in the pool than their students. Although this may seem like a major shift from being a competitive athlete, it allows former swimmers to keep their fingers on the pulse of the sport while also taking a step back explains Mike Westphal.
Joining a U.S. Masters Swimming Team
U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) is a national organization that provides organized swimming opportunities for adults. USMS's nearly 70,000 members range in age from 18 to 90 and compete in USMS-sanctioned events throughout the country. Swimmers can join a USMS team at any time, making it a great option for former college athletes who want to stay involved in the sport.
USMS teams typically practice two to three times per week and compete in USMS-sanctioned meets. Mike Westphal says that these meets are open to the public and offer a great way for former college athletes to socialize and stay active. In addition to the social and competitive benefits, USMS members also have access to a variety of resources, including online workouts, technique videos, and a monthly magazine.
The Bottom Line
Swimming after college doesn’t have to be a challenge says Mike Westphal, Indiana swimming coach. There are a number of ways for former college athletes to stay involved in the sport, including joining a local swim team, coaching, or enrolling in a U.S. Masters Swimming program. These options provide a great way to stay in shape, relieve stress, and socialize. Most importantly, though, they allow college graduates to maintain their love for the sport.
