Last January, I decided to join DACA, a local swim team. I have learned a lot from my experience.

1. Never join a team in January, especially if the pool is outdoors and you have a tendency to forget shoes, a towel, etc. I live in California, and if you live anywhere else, I'm assuming that your January is much colder than mine. Plan accordingly.

2.If you must join a team in January, look into getting a Parka. Some teams offer them with the tam name on the back, others do not. If you cannot find a team parka, you can usually by one at a store that sells swimming supplies. Parkas are warm and waterproof, which makes them great for rainy days. You may be told to buy your parka a size too big, but try it on first, or you may end up with your over sized parka resembling a straitjacket.

3.Check the team website to see what equipment you will need- usually you will need a kickboard, fins, and a pull buoy.

4. Don't be afraid to go to meets. Get in shape first, but once you have been swimming for a while, its good to go to meets. Also, if your team is level-based, it will help you move up faster.

5.Make friends with the other people in your lane. Often, the lanes will be set by the coach, and so you will be swimming with the same people at each practice. This is not a good time to make enemies, but most of the time the other swimmers will be nice to you.

6. Don't get sucked up in the "No, You go first" game. Its fine to go last if you know that you are slowest, but if you are faster than everyone else and constantly try to go last, you just annoy other people by constantly passing them.

7. Know the drills, or learn them as quickly as possible. If you constantly interrupt practice to ask- "What is that?" the other swimmers will quickly become annoyed. Most of the time, when there is a plethora of new swimmers, the coach will take the time to explain the drills. However, do try to remember them, lest you incur the wrath of the other swimmers. They can kick you.

8. Always apologize when you kick someone, even if they deserve it for swimming so close behind you. If you are going to be swimming with them almost every day, you don't want them to dislike you. They will extend the same courtesy to you.

9. Learn how to do a good starting dive. Often you will practice diving, but if you haven't graduated past the cannonball, this will be a problem. You don't have to be world class, but make sure that your hands are the first thing in the water. Tuck your chin if you don't want to face plant, and beware of the belly-flop. If your hips are higher than your head and shoulders, then you will not be able to belly-flop. For those of you who don't know, belly-flopping is quite painful.

10. Have fun.

Learn more about this author, Sarah Amica.
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