10 Words that Have Entirely Different Meanings to Swimmers

Courtesy of Karyn W. Tunks

Cap

1. a protective lid or cover for an object such as a bottle, the point of a pen, or a camera lens.
2. covers head to reduce drag in water or protect hair from chemicals

Cut

1. to make an opening or incision with a sharp-edged tool or object.
2. time standard needed to qualify for a competition

Dryland

1. land as opposed to the sea or another body of water
2. workouts done outside of the pool

Flags

1. a piece of cloth, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole and used as the symbol of a country or institution.
2. warning to backstrokers that the wall is 15 feet away

Heat

1. a form of energy associated with the motion of atoms or molecules
2. one of several rounds in a competition

Meet

1. to become acquainted with or introduced to someone
2. competition between teams and swimmers

Runner

1. a person that runs for exercise or competition
2. volunteer who collects meet documents from timers and judges

Sandbagging

1. filling a sack with sand in order to create a protective barrier.
2. deliberately performing below one’s actual ability early in practice in order to use stored energy to excel later in practice

Seed

1. a propagative part of a plant
2. where a swimmer is in standing to others in the event

Taper

1. gradual decrease in thickness or width of an elongated object such as a candle
2. reducing the amount and intensity of of training before an important competition

Karyn Tunks is a seasoned swim mom who likes to share tips, quips, and a candid point of view on the swim team lifestyle. Visit her blog here.