For the first 5 years of our program our team was very competitive. I really think this was due to the fact that most of us were competitive swimmers in high school and college. Realizing that we needed to enhance our program by getting the more recreational/fitness swimmer involved, we have now become a team of "tile counters" that rarely if ever test themselves at our masters swim meets or postal events. I realize that every doesn't need to compete, nor do I want to force anyone to compete. I'm just looking for some creative ideas or examples of how any of you were able to get people to participate in masters competitions. I would appreciate any help...
I've been telling my teammates to think of meets as a form of swimming practice--that Alexander Popov allegedly planned on racing at least 50 competitions a year, and he used these as sprint workouts. I think lots of people think they aren't good enough to swim in meets, or they get nervous and don't want to endure the pre-race jitters. Reconfiguring the "meet" to a "sprint practice" might help. I will let you know if any of my non-competing swimmers buy this.
I've been telling my teammates to think of meets as a form of swimming practice--that Alexander Popov allegedly planned on racing at least 50 competitions a year, and he used these as sprint workouts. I think lots of people think they aren't good enough to swim in meets, or they get nervous and don't want to endure the pre-race jitters. Reconfiguring the "meet" to a "sprint practice" might help. I will let you know if any of my non-competing swimmers buy this.
