New Organization for Adult Swimmers

I believe the issue FINA has with affiliated organizations is not on the individual basis but with the NGB. This is why we had to be careful when MSI was fading away and FINA was starting to govern Masters. Leo

I used to compete in racewalking and every once in a while, someone has attempted something similar to this. In one case, a person started an organization and appointed "national team members" - this despite the fact that only USA Track & Field is recognized by the IAAF to do so. It was about making that person money and gave very little back to the discipline as a whole. Currently there is an organization funded by a wealthy individual that is attempting to control racewalking in the US (via money) and all it is doing is tearing it apart. After reading the web site, I guess I came away thinking "So what?" At best the rationale for the organization is vague as are the wonderful improvements it offers over USMS. It is not compelling in any sense. Concerning "world records up for grabs:" I swam a "blazing" 6:48-something for 500 yds recently in a meet and would die of embarassment to see it listed as an age 46 "world record." There's nothing wrong with swimming 6:48 for 500 yards, but a world record, it ain't. Again, going back to racewalking, that event used to have national records at all kinds of strange distances (e.g. 4 km, 75km), but can anyone name the last person to hold the US National 4 km or 75 km records today? (Actually, I can. E-mail me if you won't sleep tonight without knowing.) Again, "So what?", but I've never subscribed to Milton's idea that it is better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven. So, good luck, Dr. Bell. I'd really like to see this usher in a golden age of enlightened peace through swimming, but I rather doubt that happening. Fair warning: When I seize power and am acclaimed supreme ruler of all swimming there will be no pool races. (Especially not the 500 yards.) Everything will be open water, distances of no less than 1 mile and you will NOT be allowed to wear a wetsuit.

I wouldn't feel holding an ASA record would be very meaningful because you have to submit a "nominal processing fee" with your application for a record. There are very, very many faster swimmers than me in all my events, but if they choose not to fork over the $48 registration and "nominal processing fee" for the record, that makes my "record" worth no more than the piece of paper it's written on.

Gee, I did not see any mention of insurance for this new organization. How will that work? :confused:

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Keith and Sandy at a few meets here in Texas over the past few years. They are both fine people and dedicated Masters Swimmers who excel in this fine sport. Keith is a promoter and from what I understand he makes his living in swimming related endeavors. That is great, more power to him….. My reservations lie in the fact that an organization such as this can detract from the mission and goals of United States Masters Swimming. Is USMS perfect? No…. of coarse not…but it is the finest organization in the world that promotes swimming and good health within the adult community. USMS serves the fitness swimmer as well as the adult competitive swimmer…and in my opinion…does this very well. I see no need for a parallel organization.

Thanks for the info, Rob. All I really see is a pay site that would threaten to usurp the SwimGold.org top ten listings. I do have to say that it looks like a great business model, but the benefit to swimmers seems nebulous. What's missing is how the ASA would actually be better than Masters at meeting the fitness or competition goals when records are for those willing to pay for them, as was brought up in an earlier post. I know I'm coming off a little negative here, but to bill the organization as "The leader in adult competitive swimming" when it's nothing more than a website scheme takes a really big set. I would ask someone to invite Mr. Bell or some advocate for ASA to address the points brought up in the discussion. Also, I don't think FINA would be an issue unless they pay the fee to be affiliated with ASA and change all their age-group and distance standards. How hard could that be?

I think Tom has it figured out............ Bert

"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." Actually, the choice of .com or .org is entirely unrelated to whether an organization is a for profit entity. It is purely at the whim of the webmaster or site owner.

Emmett, I did know the answer to that. I was just curious, since I do deal with such issues concerning non-profit organizations. Thanks, though, for the reminder!

I read the web site for the new organization, and it sounds like I could pay my $48, submit my times, and then be the holder of a bunch of world records. Why do they feel that all the old world records should be dumped? Just wondering.