Hi everyone! (this is my first CC post, sorry if the formatting is off)
So I’m going into junior year, and I’m thinking about joining my high school’s swim team in the winter (I know it’s early, but my guidance counselor wants to get an idea of what I’m doing this year). I want to join the swim team because I’ve always enjoyed swimming/ being in the water, and I want to stay in shape for spring rowing season. I’ve taken swimming lessons in the past (from ages 5-12, I’d go to the YMCA for swimming lessons every summer), so I know how to swim the different strokes (I really doubt that I have good technique though). My high school doesn’t cut it’s athletes- once you reach 9th grade, you’re put on either the varsity or JV team based on the times that you got during try outs.
I’m just wondering if my basic knowledge of swimming is enough for me to be on the team without completely embarrassing myself haha. I’m not expecting to win gold medals, I just don’t want to go into the season being completely clueless.
My rowing coach (she coaches the swim team as well) has been trying to get me to join the swim team for the past couple of years. She thinks that I’d make a good swimmer because I’m one of the faster girls on the rowing team. She also says that I should join because the new swimmers always PR when they come back in the spring because swimming uses the same muscles as rowing, and swimming is great cardio.
Also, which body type/height is usually best for swimming? I’m 5’7", and I have a more athletic body type.
Thanks so much! 
Join swim, it’s not that hard to get technique down if you already have many years of experience, I don’t think you’ll embarrass yourself. just be aware that swim is REALLY time consuming. my boyfriend does varsity water polo and varsity swim and during swim season they have 5 am practices AND after school practices too- not to mention meets take like 5-6 hours. Its tiring and takes a lot of time so you have to make sure you can handle it. especially during junior year when you need to do well in school & you have AP’s and SAT/ACT’s- make sure you can handle it before you sign up!!