Swim info has this article:
swiminfo.com/.../3387.asp
Which discusses a new organization for competitive swimming called Adult Swimming Association. Apparantly the initiator is unhappy with the various things that USMS does that are not directly related to competitive swimming, such as the promotion of fitness. Also, he is unhappy with the structure of the national meets. He proposes several variations of the age group structure.
Any thoughts or insights?
Parents
Former Member
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.
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.
