Swimmer or Fish? Why Competitive Swimming Is a Way of Life

Ever find yourself wondering if you've spent more time in water than on land? If the smell of chlorine feels like a natural cologne, or if you casually refer to meals as "fuel," congratulations—you might just be more fish than human. Welcome to the world of swimming, where the line between athlete and aquatic creature is hilariously blurry.

Competitive swimming isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life. Whether you’re a lane warrior crushing laps during adult swim or a medal-chasing phenom, here’s why swimming is less of a hobby and more of an all-encompassing lifestyle.

1. Your Life is Ruled by the Pool Schedule

Forget regular human time. Swimmers live by pool time. Early mornings? Bring it on. Endless evenings of practice? All part of the grind. Non-swimmers think it’s dedication; swimmers know it’s just survival.

2. Chlorine is the New Perfume

While others splurge on designer fragrances, swimmers rock the timeless scent of chlorine. It’s not just a smell—it’s an identity. If you’ve ever been asked, “Did you just come from the pool?” hours after practice, you know the struggle.

3. You’ve Mastered the Art of the Epic Meal

Swimmers are Olympic-level eaters. After a hard session, a mere snack won’t cut it. Whole pizzas, piles of pancakes, or “just a quick” four-course meal—your appetite is unmatched. Forget counting calories; we’re out here counting carbs.

4. You Speak Fluent Swim-Geek

IM, splits, flip turns, and tapering—it’s practically its own language. Non-swimmers stare in confusion as you debate the finer points of breaststroke technique or the legality of your friend’s underwater dolphin kicks.

5. Dry Land? Overrated.

Feet on the ground feel weird. That’s why swimmers thrive on pool decks and love water parks. And when you’re out of the water too long? There’s always a hot tub, lake, or puddle to dive into. Staying “dry” isn’t really an option.

6. Your Swag Screams “Swimming”

If you own more swim caps than regular hats and consider goggles a legitimate accessory, you’re fully immersed in the lifestyle. Bonus points if your wardrobe is 90% branded swim team tees. (And you can find some more here!)

7. Mental Toughness Meets Zen

Swimmers are a special breed of determined. It takes grit to push through endless laps, but it also teaches patience and mindfulness. Somewhere between the monotony of laps and the splash of your flip turn, you find your happy place.

8. The Pool is Your Happy Place

There’s something magical about being in the water. It’s not just exercise—it’s therapy. The world quiets down, your body moves in rhythm, and for a few blissful moments, you feel like you were born to swim.

So, swimmer or fish? It doesn’t really matter. Whether you’re swimming for fitness, racing for gold, or just surviving the next lap, you’re part of an elite club that knows water is life. Dive in, swim strong, and don’t forget to grab a towel on your way out (or don’t—real swimmers know it’s optional). 

Need some swimmer swag? Check out our store for gear that’s as fun as your favorite sport. From quirky t-shirts to swim-themed candles, we’ve got everything you need to live the swimmer life—on land or underwater.

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Christine Dorsey is a lifelong swimmer (she can’t even remember a time when she wasn’t in the pool or the ocean). She’s swam competitively her entire life, including swimming and playing water polo at an NCAA D1 University, and is still a registered USMS swimmer. She also knows that she would have never gotten through all the laps, meets, matches, and events without a healthy sense of humor.