I turned 16 today(11-15-03) I waited at the DOL(department of licensing for 5 1/2 hours. I took my knowledge test & driving test. I passed!!! I am a licensed driver now!!
I went to the swim meeting yesterday, and the fastest person on the teams' 50 free was 28 sec.(he's the captain) and mine is 25, I am the "all star" of the team. at least what is what everybody keeps telling me:D :) :cool:
anything but isn't this board supposed to be for MASTERS swimmers? And isn't the definition of MASTERS swimmers limited to those over 18 (or is it 21).
Perhaps a board should be established for those under 18 or those in high school swimming programs.
The swimming problems and concerns of those not over the age of consent is quite different from the older swimmer. True--some things are universal (green hair) but not ALL.
A high school age injured swimmer has ready access to a swim coach (if on the team or swimming with a Y-team) and probably is on Mom or Dad's health insurance. The Masters age swimmer sometimes has NO access to a coach and worries about the costs of health care (if they even have insurance).
Perhaps--someone should establish a PRE-masters forum. USMS stands for United States Masters Swimming NOT for United States (sorry about those of you outside the continental USA) High School swimmers.
Look--I don't ask to swim on a competitive basis with the age-group swimmers in the jr high and high school AND they shouldn't ask to swim with the Masters groups.
From time to time I've seen kids posting here and I don't think it is any big deal. You know even though some kids have access to coaches etc they might not have enough access to other adults interested in swimming. What is it going to hurt if we tell him congratulations on a job well done; or don't worry about it, you'll have other chances to make qualifying times; or thats really something you need to discuss with your coach, a good way to approach it is___. Showing interest in a young person is the best way to make sure he/she goes in the right direction (and I don't mean just swimming direction) One of the best things about Master swimmers is their willingness to share. Why should that start when a person is 18 years old?
But you know what? I think you have a great idea! What if USMS started a place for young people to post questions and Master swimmers who wanted to answer the questions or become an 'e-mentor' could go? Perhaps a link could be set up on the USA Swimming site that would take them to the proper board here on the USMS site.
Lainey
Geeze, what grumps. What is the harm in JC posting? If you don't like the idea, you can avoid the threads he starts and even not read his posts! Get over it.
Besides, I agree with Laineybug - youth interested in swimming is the future of the sport. We should want to pass on our love for the sport by encouraging the kids.
You are right about that Laineybug. My son is only eleven, but the teenage attitude is there. It's funny, my three year old son thinks his Mother and I are geniuses. We know everything. But my 11 year old doesn't think we know anything!
I'v gotten to know a HS boy at the Y who will do HS swimming when it starts, but cannot afford club swimming when he is in the off season. He wants to do well, but it is hard to swim on your own and get motivated. I think it is nice that he has hooked up with some of us old Masters swimmers. Maybe in 3 years he will WANT to join our group because we treated him with kindness and consideration now.
I know two swim clubs that give 'scholarships' to promising swimmers... maybe a word from you to the coach of the age group team might get him one, or at least a tryout for it.
