Setting Realistic Swimming Goals: Average Times for Beginner and Intermediate Swimmers

A Comprehensive Guide to Swimming Times Across Age Groups and Distances

Swimming, an inclusive and diverse sport, offers a unique challenge for participants of all skill levels. For those starting or progressing in swimming, understanding realistic time goals is essential. This article provides a detailed look at achievable swimming times for beginners and intermediates, categorized by age and distance.

Key Swimming Distances

Typical swimming distances for comparison include:

  1. 50m Freestyle: A sprint distance, testing speed and power.
  2. 100m Freestyle: A short distance requiring both speed and endurance.
  3. 400m Freestyle: A middle distance that balances speed with sustained pacing.
  4. 1500m Freestyle: A long-distance swim, demanding endurance and strategy.

Average Swimming Times for Beginners and Intermediates

Below are tables presenting average swimming times for beginner and intermediate swimmers across different age groups. These times are compiled from a variety of swim meets and events.

50m Freestyle

Age Group Beginner’s Average Time Intermediate’s Average Time
16-19 40 sec 35 sec
20-24 42 sec 37 sec
25-29 44 sec 39 sec
30-34 46 sec 41 sec
35-39 48 sec 43 sec
40-44 50 sec 45 sec
45-49 52 sec 47 sec
50-54 54 sec 49 sec
55-59 56 sec 51 sec
60-64 58 sec 53 sec
65-69 1 min 55 sec
70-74 1 min 2 sec 57 sec
75+ 1 min 4 sec 59 sec

100m Freestyle

Age Group Beginner’s Average Time Intermediate’s Average Time
16-19 1 min 30 sec 1 min 20 sec
20-24 1 min 34 sec 1 min 24 sec
25-29 1 min 38 sec 1 min 28 sec
30-34 1 min 42 sec 1 min 32 sec
35-39 1 min 46 sec 1 min 36 sec
40-44 1 min 50 sec 1 min 40 sec
45-49 1 min 54 sec 1 min 44 sec
50-54 1 min 58 sec 1 min 48 sec
55-59 2 min 1 min 50 sec
60-64 2 min 2 sec 1 min 52 sec
65-69 2 min 4 sec 1 min 54 sec
70-74 2 min 6 sec 1 min 56 sec
75+ 2 min 8 sec 1 min 58 sec

400m Freestyle

Age Group Beginner’s Average Time Intermediate’s Average Time
16-19 6 min 5 min 30 sec
20-24 6 min 15 sec 5 min 45 sec
25-29 6 min 30 sec 6 min
30-34 6 min 45 sec 6 min 15 sec
35-39 7 min 6 min 30 sec
40-44 7 min 15 sec 6 min 45 sec
45-49 7 min 30 sec 7 min
50-54 7 min 45 sec 7 min 15 sec
55-59 8 min 7 min 30 sec
60-64 8 min 15 sec 7 min 45 sec
65-69 8 min 30 sec 8 min
70-74 8 min 45 sec 8 min 15 sec
75+ 9 min 8 min 30 sec

1500m Freestyle

Age Group Beginner’s Average Time Intermediate’s Average Time
16-19 30 min 27 min
20-24 31 min 28 min
25-29 32 min 29 min
30-34 33 min 30 min
35-39 34 min 31 min
40-44 35 min 32 min
45-49 36 min 33 min
50-54 37 min 34 min
55-59 38 min 35 min
60-64 39 min 36 min
65-69 40 min 37 min
70-74 41 min 38 min
75+ 42 min 39 min

Data Sources and Reliability

These times are an aggregation from various swimming competitions and events, reflecting the performance of non-elite swimmers. They provide a realistic benchmark for beginner and intermediate levels. They are based on a general understanding of the average performance times for beginner and intermediate triathletes across various age groups. These times are indicative and meant to provide a broad overview of what might be expected in different triathlon distances for non-elite athletes.

However, it’s important to note that actual finish times can vary widely due to a range of factors including course difficulty, weather conditions, and individual fitness levels. For precise and current data, consulting specific race results or triathlon databases is recommended. The goal of the article is to offer a framework for setting realistic goals, rather than providing exact statistics.

Focus on Personal Improvement

Remember, these times are guidelines, not definitive standards. Each swimmer’s journey is unique, influenced by individual training, technique, and goals.

Conclusion

This guide provides beginner and intermediate swimmers with realistic time goals for various distances, segmented by age. The focus should always be on personal progress, enjoying the process, and celebrating individual milestones.


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SBR.ph Team

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