Am I alone in pursuing freestyle only?
I never understood/appreciated anything other than "swim as fast as you can from A to B".
I was a long time hard-core runner, and the different swimstrokes seems to me to be akin to running backwards or sideways. (Or....heaven forbid......Racewalking!!)
Why shouldn't swimming follow the same path as running? Ie No stroke rules. Just go from A to B in the water anyway you wish? As fast as you can.
School me! Kick my ass! In my newbieness I cannot understand anything other than "A to B in the water as fast as you can."
Why do we have these 4 different strokes? It seems like a beauty contest. (I expect to be crucified for such blasphemy.)
Educate me, USMS people. Help me understand why you would want to find a way to swim slower!! :)
Prepare for your ass to be kicked. You did ask for it. The answer to your question is simple. Medals. Why swim 200 freestyle where 1 medal is up for grabs? Add the 200 fly, 200 back, 200 ***, and 200 IM you now have 4 more medals up for grabs for a total of 5. It also makes for longer swim meets where we get better opportunities for socializing and stay away from home.
Prepare for your ass to be kicked. You did ask for it. The answer to your question is simple. Medals. Why swim 200 freestyle where 1 medal is up for grabs? Add the 200 fly, 200 back, 200 ***, and 200 IM you now have 4 more medals up for grabs for a total of 5. It also makes for longer swim meets where we get better opportunities for socializing and stay away from home.
