A kid swam the 500 all fly in a high school dual meet yesterday. His coach was furious and benched him for the rest of the meet. One of my lane mates this morning, who was the Starter at this meet said that was showboating and demeaning to the other competitors. I disagree. Was that any more demeaning than swimming free and lapping people? Plus, I saw the flyer ask everyone in the heat if it would bother them. Even on the blocks he said "Are you sure you guys are OK with this?"
While it is true that you can swim nearly anything you want for a freestyle event at a masters meet, how would you feel if you swam beside a petite 60 year old female going for a World Record in the 500 free, and you did fly? While no one may say anything to you directly, I'm sure you'd get plenty of unpleasant looks.
Why should it matter that she is going for a world record? Are other swims not important?
I have no plans to do a 500 fly but whether a petite 60 year old woman or a burly 30 year old man were in the next lane would have no bearing on my decision, unpleasant looks or not. if waves are a problem then perhaps the facility should invest in better lane lines and gutters.
While it is true that you can swim nearly anything you want for a freestyle event at a masters meet, how would you feel if you swam beside a petite 60 year old female going for a World Record in the 500 free, and you did fly? While no one may say anything to you directly, I'm sure you'd get plenty of unpleasant looks.
Why should it matter that she is going for a world record? Are other swims not important?
I have no plans to do a 500 fly but whether a petite 60 year old woman or a burly 30 year old man were in the next lane would have no bearing on my decision, unpleasant looks or not. if waves are a problem then perhaps the facility should invest in better lane lines and gutters.
