New Organization for Adult Swimmers

Actually, one of the ideas this fellow has suggested that's kind of appealing to me is to have competitions listed not by 5 year age group brackets but rather one year ones--i.e., 49 year olds compete for the record 49 year old times, 57 year olds for the 57 year old record, etc. What you see a lot of now, it seems to me, is that the top performances in each age bracket tend to be (though not always) swum by people at the lower end of the bracket (especially after you hit 40-44). I think there's a tendency to really try to be at your most competitive during the first year you "age up"--then take something of a break (or at least ease off a bit) for the next four years or so before your next good chance at cracking the Top 10. Maybe keeping records per year as opposed to per 5 years would give more of us incentive to swim our hardest all the time. Just a thought...admittedly from a 49 year old who is having his best adult year this year, and can't wait till next summer when USMS says I turn 50...

I have a hard time seeing any purpose at all to Bell's new organization. It sounds to me like it's based on a purely personal agenda, but I suppose this is America and he has every right to try. I don't predict success, though. He says his reason is that USMS has gotten away from competition and into fitness, but it seems to me that there are plenty of opportunities for competition, including the National meets that he derides. In fact, some of his ideas for more "flexible" age group competition seem to contradict his ideas of competition -- without consistent standards and events, where would the competition be? And, frankly, although I know there are some, I doubt there are many adult swimmers who are interested only in competition -- his appeal seems very limited.

Who's doing this ? Vince McMahan ? Sounds like another World Football League attempt. Ignore it and it will go away. Bert:o

After reading Ken's, Phil's and Bert's posts, I went to the article in toto as referenced in the SwimInfo website. Keith Bell states his vision for his group and seems to air his alleged gripes with USMS, but I would like these questions answered, to echo Phil, Bert's and Ken's concerns. How has USMS abandoned its mission when its mission supports fitness? How much more can you increase excitement and appeal for adult swimming? How have the Nationals been too long? (It seems that those who attended got something out of them or they wouldn't have bothered to attend in the first place.) How are competitive conditions at Nationals poor? Who wouldn't want to go to the Nationals in Hawaii in May? Maybe the weather there is too good for some. How many more opportunities need there be? Seems that there are plenty of organizations to which a swimmer can belong. Are you going to sacrifice competition standards by being less restrictive? Have you aired your complaints to USMS? I went to the ASA site http://www.adultswimming.com for a look. To quote them, ASA is "the leader in adult swimming." By whose standards? Having two teams as members is laudable. But does that make ASA a "leader?" Finally, when you visit their site, note that their web address (URL) is a "dot com" and not a "dot org." Is ASA not a non-profit organization? Just wondering here. ASA certainly has a right to try. But, it would be nice to have more information. Maybe I am just asking dumb questions here.

Well, yeah, I suppose the competition would be more even in one year age groups. Of course, for some meets, it would mean eveyone comes in first. And it would be a nightmare to score all those "groups." But if you see the web page, it seems obsessed with setting and recognizing "world" records -- I suppose narrowing the criteria is one way to get a record.

The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing. I like that Matt but you forgot to add something very important: "When you pay the bill kindly leave a tip and help the next poor sucker on his one way trip." Another view from the immortal FZ from Over-Nite Sensation: I'm obsessed 'n deranged I have existed for years But very little has changed I am the tool of the Government And industry too For I am destined to rule And regulate you I may be vile and pernicious But you can't look away I make you think I am delicious With the stuff that I say I am the best you can get Have you guessed me yet You will obey me while I lead you And eat the garbage that I feed you Until the day that we don't need you Don't go for help ... no one will heed you Your mind is totally controlled It has been stuffed into my mold And you will do as you are told Until the rights to you are sold

To Rich’s question. Keith and Sandy have been outstanding age group and masters swimmers for many years. They have also been active and vocal in the promotion of Masters swimming for many years. And, as mentioned by others, Keith has also published a number of books on swimming psychology. I too have looked at the ASA website and I see that Keith and Sandy are trying to infuse some new wrinkles into the sport. As a distance guy, why not expand the records upwards as well as down? I remember when there used to be records for the 3000, 5000, …up to I think it was 25,000. But that’s not why I decided to post this message. My concern is for the how this will be viewed in the eyes of FINA. They may take exception to the fact that non-FINA recognized swimming bodies are sanctioning events and recognizing world records. My concern is not only for Keith and Sandy, but for anyone who affiliates with ASA. In reviewing FINA code (see below), it speaks of “relationships with a non-affiliated body”. I have no clue if this is applicable to ASA or not. If not, I guess I may be worrying needlessly and crying wolf. If this is the case, I an truly sorry. However, if FINA decides to sanction (punish) affiliated members, then those affiliated members need to be made aware of the risks. I’m hoping that someone out there can let me know the affiliate status of ASA to FINA. I have also posed this question the Phil Whitten – the journalist who reported the original story.

And, Leonard, when you seizes power, can I suggest that you change the current age group structure to temperatures. It may be tough in the 19-24 and 25-29 temperature ranges ( we could sell them the US Ice Fishing Federation), but for those of us who like to compete in the 55 – 59 temperature range, we would not be required to be classified with those in the 75 - 79 temperature group or those in the 95+. Just a thought

Could this be another example of Keith promoting Keith…and things that benefit Keith…?:o

I hadn't heard of him before this. Is there some history here? A quick search on Yahoo! did turn up a short, modest bio... www.swimdoc.com/keithbell.HTM