College Swimming in the US vs Swimming in Spain
Discover the key differences in training, competition, and team life between swimming in the US and Spain
Helena Robla is a standout swimmer from Asturias, Spain, who competes for Northern Arizona University (NCAA Division I) while studying Journalism. Specializing in freestyle events, Robla has a stellar record both at home and abroad. Among her accomplishments, she holds the university record in the 200-yard freestyle.
Now in her senior year, she reflects on the main differences between college swimming in the United States and swimming in Spain. Learn more about it in this article!
One of the things I get asked the most when people back home learn that I swim collegiately in the US; and when people in the US find out I am an international student-athlete is “Is it very different?”
And although it is the same sport, I have been practicing all my life, there are some differences.
Differences in Pool Size
This is probably the most obvious thing. Before coming to the United States, I had never swum in a 25-yard pool.
Adjusting to the pool wasn’t too hard. If you think about it, 2.14 meters isn’t really a big difference. You get used to the walls quickly and learn to adjust your stroke count. Even though flags are usually 5 yards away instead of 5 meters, backstroke turns are easy to get used to as well.
To understand your times is a little harder, I would say. The first couple of practices, my coaches would tell me my times, but I never knew if that was a good enough time or not. As you keep going, you’ll soon learn what different times mean for you or how you usually feel when hitting certain times. Talking to your coaches about goal time paces also helps!
Dual meets
Championships are pretty similar everywhere, but I think dual meets are something pretty unique about swimming in the US. Back in Spain I’ve never had a meet where it was just my team and another one competing against each other.
The number of events you swim at dual meets is usually way more than regular meets in Spain. I have had tough lineups before swimming in college, but I don’t think I ever had to swim four events in two hours until I got here! It might sound crazy but it’s honestly not too bad and you get used to it pretty quick.
When it’s just your team against another, the competition gets really intense, so cheering for your teammates and getting cheered on makes it a lot of fun!
Another difference is that at dual meets you don’t always wear a tech suit for these. As much as I love feeling extra fast when I put my tech suit on, I think racing with a regular practice suit also helps you get used to swimming fast and racing no matter what.
Team size
I had been on big teams before, but never on a team with over 30 girls who are all around the same age. It’s also the first time I’ve been on a team where everyone has such similar schedules outside of swimming.
In Spain, swim teams are usually mixed across different age groups, I remember being in high school and practicing with the older kids that had college degrees and full-time jobs!
Here, everyone is in a similar stage of life, which I think creates a unique team environment. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about the energy and dynamic that come from having that many people working toward the same goals. The sense of unity is strong, and it feels like a second family. Everyone’s pushing each other, cheering each other on, and going through a lot of similar things both in and out of the pool.
Call room
I feel like at any meet back home there is always a place swimmers have to go to before racing. Even if it’s not a separate room, there is always an official ready to let swimmers know when they can go behind the blocks.
It can be like that for big championship meets here in the U.S., but for most dual meets you are the one in charge of checking your heat and lane and knowing when you should get behind the blocks.
This was a little bit of an adjustment for me, I used to like having a place to focus on my race and get ready. Now I have learned to just do this wherever I can.
Athletic trainers
This is one of the coolest things about collegiate sports in the U.S. Having athletic trainers available before and after practices is something I didn’t have growing up.
They help with injury prevention, recovery, and rehab if you’re dealing with something more serious. Whether it’s rolling out, getting treatment, or learning exercises to help with shoulder pain, it makes a big difference in how you take care of your body as an athlete.
Want to study in the US with a swimming scholarship?
Swimming in the United States and Spain might look the same on the surface, but the experience is worlds apart. From shorter pools and intense dual meets to a close-knit team atmosphere and the support of athletic trainers, college swimming in the US brings unique opportunities that can help you grow as both an athlete and a person.
If you’re inspired by Helena’s story and dream of competing and studying in the US, Keystone Sports can help you make it happen! We’ve helped hundreds of swimmers like you find scholarships and opportunities at top colleges across the US.
Complete our free evaluation form and our experts will contact you!
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