I have seen some discussion of why USMS isn't attracting the typical fitness swimmer. Here are a few suggestions from an old slow poke newbie.
1) Motivational times. This may be of interest to many on this forum, but to someone starting out with no race experience, they can be highly de-motivational because they all look unattainable. If one cannot even approach these times, one may feel he does not belong in USMS. Why not extend the chart all the way to double the time in the first column? Say 10 columns from 10-100% slower.
2) One Hour Swim. An hour is a long time for the casual or new swimmer. In running, a marathon is too long for a newbie, but almost anyone can train for a 5K, 10K, even half-marathon within a short time running regularly. Why not have a half hour and 15 minute swim too?
3) Embrace Triathletes. In summer I swim with a Tri club at a local lake. There are often upwards of 100 people there doing 1, 2, or 3 laps on a half mile loop. And they are not slow. I swam a 1 mile USMS event in Lake Placid, NY last August with far fewer than 100. Why not partner with Tri clubs for some events, pool in winter, open water in summer?
Triathletes come and go. A few stay and go on to compete in Masters and become valuable team members. Most greatly benefit from the coaching and structured workouts than usually drop out. It can be due to the weather breaking in the spring or simply getting too caught up in the workouts and getting too tired to keep up their needed biking and running training. Most local triathlons are anything but equal tri's and are about 10-20% swimming.
Our biggest challenge is attracting more of the tens of thousands of high school and collage ex swimmers out there. I have spoken to many and most break out into a cold sweat, start to visibly experience tremors of all four limbs, and run away at high speed.
All they remember is the endless laps and the pain. Our goal is to educate them that "Masters is Fun". They will be amazed at how fast they can still swim on a fraction of the yardage. They can pick their own events. No one has to swim the 200 fly or 1650. They can swim as much or as little as they want to. They will be surrounded by like adults who are in it for the fitness and camaraderie and who know they need the goal of meets to keep on pushing and setting personal goals. We swim 50's of everything and the 100IM. We have relays that bring swimmers of many ages together for a common goal. And we have "road trips".
Many have tried other sports but most will find out that they are ex swimmers for a reason and the sport they excelled at can now be a lifetime endeavor and it will be FUN.
Triathletes come and go. A few stay and go on to compete in Masters and become valuable team members. Most greatly benefit from the coaching and structured workouts than usually drop out. It can be due to the weather breaking in the spring or simply getting too caught up in the workouts and getting too tired to keep up their needed biking and running training. Most local triathlons are anything but equal tri's and are about 10-20% swimming.
Our biggest challenge is attracting more of the tens of thousands of high school and collage ex swimmers out there. I have spoken to many and most break out into a cold sweat, start to visibly experience tremors of all four limbs, and run away at high speed.
All they remember is the endless laps and the pain. Our goal is to educate them that "Masters is Fun". They will be amazed at how fast they can still swim on a fraction of the yardage. They can pick their own events. No one has to swim the 200 fly or 1650. They can swim as much or as little as they want to. They will be surrounded by like adults who are in it for the fitness and camaraderie and who know they need the goal of meets to keep on pushing and setting personal goals. We swim 50's of everything and the 100IM. We have relays that bring swimmers of many ages together for a common goal. And we have "road trips".
Many have tried other sports but most will find out that they are ex swimmers for a reason and the sport they excelled at can now be a lifetime endeavor and it will be FUN.
