Fitness swimming

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 16:37:30 GMT

Connie, I have people talk to me all the time at the pool about swimming, but when I suggest that we get a group together they immediately start to shy away. I don't even say the word master. I think most people have it in their head that swimming is a sport they can't do because it takes a higher level of ability than they have. Even when I say we would start out very low, like 250 to 300 meters (I don't say those numbers, I say 10 lengths of the pool with rests inbetween) and build from there, as well as work on technique, they are afraid to try it. With as many people who talk to me now, Charlene (the woman who coached me until she moved) and I drew even more interest and comments when we were working together. So, word of mouth may not be enough, you've got to do something to catch eyes.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 16:36:42 GMT

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 06:01:14 GMT

yeah filming a practice/competition/social event is what I had in mind. Well I know we have two public access channels down here. Between 'shows' is a scroll with event announcements. I admit I don't watch it either, but I do surf through it and if something was on, that I was interested in I'd pause for a bit. Our local PBS station also puts announcements on for festivals, etc. Maybe a masters club could submit something there. Or heck, maybe USMS should get PBS to produce a program about fitness and swimming. This program made possible by a grant from USMS... Yeah Yeah Yeah I know, way to expensive.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 05:52:53 GMT

With the state of most public access cable shows--only people who are involved with the show are watching--defeats your purpose. People don't just tune in to see WHAT is on (unless it's early 90s NYC tv when just about anything went) but only if there is adequate advertisement that the show will be on. A bunch of talking heads about Masters Swimming wouldn't be very interesting. You'd have to videotape an actual practice session and show what's going on (or even a meet) AND you'd have to have the skills for both shooting and editing. That might just scare away people who aren't good at swimming. Heck--I'm not even sure WHERE the public access channel is on my cable!!!

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 05:51:51 GMT

If you open this site and click on The Calender you will see they are a really social team. I used to swim there. http://www.winskillotters.com/ George www.swimdownhill.com

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 05:34:04 GMT

I know absolutely nothing about public access television, cost involved etc. But perhaps Masters clubs could put something there demonstrating what they actually do (beginning fitness to competition to social). If Shakey were still around bet he could give the clubs some tips on producing a short, grab your attention, quality 'show'.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 15:21:52 GMT

If I tell 2 people then they each of them tell 2 people and so on. The word gets around fast. When ever I see anyone swimming I try to help them and since I cannot spend all my days giving free instruction I tell them to join the masters team as they usually have lanes for begginers.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 15:15:08 GMT

Originally posted by geochuck When I was young (3 years old) I felt I would love to learn to swim in other words I want to master the art of swimming. Now that I am older where better can anyone learn than in a master swimming club. I guess we had better change the name Master Swimming to Disater Swimming. (Pun) George I see your point - and I raise you one - okay, just kidding. I agree with you... I only wish more people thought of it that way rather than seeing the word 'Masters' and think they have to be good at it already, rather than seeing it as a place to learn. Okay, I suppose my point is that there could be a branch, one of the market focused efforts could be reaching out to newbies and making it clear that you don't have to be a former age group start, or even a former age grouper to join in and start learning.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 15:05:39 GMT

When I was young (3 years old) I felt I would love to learn to swim in other words I want to master the art of swimming. Now that I am older where better can anyone learn than in a master swimming club. I guess we had better change the name Master Swimming to Disater Swimming. (Pun) George

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 14:50:19 GMT

Originally posted by geochuck Better get a better dictionary, Websters or Oxford says to master a skill. The verb master, to learn. George That's just my point. Word "Master" means proficiency, mastery of a skill. It doesn't imply, hey, come on in, it's just fun-loving active adults swimming for fitness, and little bit of competition. (was I unclear with what I meant in my earlier post?) What I meant by coloquially was within masters swimmers, "Masters swimmer" no longer means someone masterful in swimming - which in plain english would mean someone that is really really good, which may be intimidationg to those who think they aren't. If you want to get really technical, here: www.m-w.com/.../dictionary

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 13:21:02 GMT

Originally posted by Conniekat8 I scoured the dictionaries hoping to find some broader definitions and synonyms for Masters... Hoping that it would also imply 'adult' as opposed to 'kids age groups' and if you want to be little more strict literally, I didn't find a connection. Colloquially, I suppose there is a connection. It does become more obvious once you become a member, rather than standing on the outside. Anyway, just thinking out loud. Better get a better dictionary, Websters or Oxford says to master a skill. The verb master, to learn. George

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 12:32:35 GMT

Originally posted by geochuck Master is to gain control, to gain a skill. I prefer this explanation rather then say these are my masters, I am not good enough. George I scoured the dictionaries hoping to find some broader definitions and synonyms for Masters... Hoping that it would also imply 'adult' as opposed to 'kids age groups' and if you want to be little more strict literally, I didn't find a connection. Colloquially, I suppose there is a connection. It does become more obvious once you become a member, rather than standing on the outside. Anyway, just thinking out loud.

RE: Fitness swimming

mattson — Tue, 05 Oct 2004 11:14:02 GMT

Originally posted by gull80 We could change the name to Let's All Go Swimming! or Jump In, the Water's Great! LAGS? JIWG? Eh, I dunno. As long as I could be part of the group that assembles pictures for the workouts, I'd be happy. "Over the Hill Masters and Youngin's, Gathering Aerobic Help Diagrams."

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Tue, 05 Oct 2004 10:53:00 GMT

Master is to gain control, to gain a skill. I prefer this explanation rather then say these are my masters, I am not good enough. George

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Tue, 05 Oct 2004 10:48:18 GMT

Originally posted by gull80 Maybe the name of our organization is confusing or misleading--doesn't the term "Masters" imply a certain degree of skill or, perhaps, mastery of the sport? We could change the name to Let's All Go Swimming! or Jump In, the Water's Great! Yes, there is a dose of intimidation in the term 'masters', just in plain english it implies a level of proficiency is required. Yea, just that alone will make a lot of newbies look and say, oh, this is not for me, before they bother to look and see what it's all about.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Tue, 05 Oct 2004 10:40:56 GMT

Originally posted by emmett My dad used to tell me "Find something you have a talent for and have a passion for and then do it better than anyone else, rather than doing lots of things sorta half-assed." Perhaps the question shouldn't be "what do all swimmers want and how can we be all things to all swimmers" but, rather, what do the DOers (not the talkers) of USMS have both the combined talent for and the passion to pursue. I suspect this will describe a subset of "all things to all swimmers". True, although not the focus of questions I posed in this thread. But, in order to determine the best general direction, each subset needs to be looked at, discussed, thought through and in the end determined if it's a valid direction to pursue. Without some analisys, it's impossible to tell if it's a valid direction or not. I see what's happening here one small part of the overall situation analysis. Examining potential Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, with fitness swimming being just one component of the whole, and this discussion board being just one of many sources of feedback. I know it's easy to get focused on a long ongoing thread like this one, and lose the sight of the big picture, and that this is only a small part of it.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Sun, 03 Oct 2004 07:22:16 GMT

Now, gosh, that's what I always understood it to be too, since I started in Berkeley in 1982. Maybe that's too simple to be understood? :rolleyes: Thanks George. I've been reading this thread without intervening til you came up with these sage words.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 16:58:25 GMT

Master swimming in Canada has this moto.... Masters Swimming is an adult program designed to encourage fitness through swimming. It offers structured training sessions, most often through the auspices of a Masters Swim club. Masters Swimming provides opportunities to increase physical fitness, improve stroke techniques, receive regular coaching, and participate in social activities. The level of participation in any aspect of Masters Swimming is entirely up to you, the swimmer, be it lap swimming, international competition, or any level in between. George

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 16:50:21 GMT

Maybe the name of our organization is confusing or misleading--doesn't the term "Masters" imply a certain degree of skill or, perhaps, mastery of the sport? We could change the name to Let's All Go Swimming! or Jump In, the Water's Great!

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 11:25:56 GMT

My dad used to tell me "Find something you have a talent for and have a passion for and then do it better than anyone else, rather than doing lots of things sorta half-assed." Perhaps the question shouldn't be "what do all swimmers want and how can we be all things to all swimmers" but, rather, what do the DOers (not the talkers) of USMS have both the combined talent for and the passion to pursue. I suspect this will describe a subset of "all things to all swimmers".

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 05:41:31 GMT

Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com This may be taken as being a very negative statement. USMS has a very big role in the swimming in the United States & elsewhere ( Au, Canada). The role might be too big to fill every one's needs. Maybe it should look into creating a very defined purpose or allow it to grow into a mega-organization that can meet every one's needs and expectations. There are so many different types of swimmers who chat on these boards, can we expect one organization to answer every one? this woudl mean that while it would be governed by a board, it would have a large centralized staff. When I read so many of htese responses, I read the same thing but soemtimes worded differently. If USMS had a very centralized staff, many of these questionsand comments could be addressed regualrily & promptly. Also, membership retentionwould be aided by a national staff who could help indivduals teams focus on how to meet the needs of all types of swimmers. Different types of swimmers can be accomodated as long as the USMS has a clear vision and a plan how to accomodate them, and goes to task. Yes catering to multiple groups is a bigger task requiring more man power, time and effort. If there is a general desire to be trhat kind of an organization then, in a methodical way it can all be accomplished. Where things may not work so well is when there is lack of resources, lack of interest or lack of direction.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 05:30:27 GMT

As the great Johnny Carson once said: "Do you ever get the vuja day feeling? Not dŽjˆ vu. This is vuja day: the strange feeling that none of this has ever happened before." :)

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 14:09:05 GMT

This may be taken as being a very negative statement. USMS has a very big role in the swimming in the United States & elsewhere ( Au, Canada). The role might be too big to fill every one's needs. Maybe it should look into creating a very defined purpose or allow it to grow into a mega-organization that can meet every one's needs and expectations. There are so many different types of swimmers who chat on these boards, can we expect one organization to answer every one? this woudl mean that while it would be governed by a board, it would have a large centralized staff. When I read so many of htese responses, I read the same thing but soemtimes worded differently. If USMS had a very centralized staff, many of these questionsand comments could be addressed regualrily & promptly. Also, membership retentionwould be aided by a national staff who could help indivduals teams focus on how to meet the needs of all types of swimmers.

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 10:38:53 GMT

I have not read each and every message but it seems that we are forgetting the definition of Fitness as it is stated on the Fitness website: The state or condition of being fit. Good health or physical condition especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition. It seems that fitness and fitness swimming could cover a lot of people, whether they compete or swim just for themselves

RE: Fitness swimming

Former Member — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 16:36:42 GMT

I just saw another survey where 95 % of the internet users use IE. Either we are ahead of the curve or behind I don't know:D I used to test my web sites using all the browsers like Netscape, AOL, Web TV, etc. Now I just use IE, even though IE does not fully support all the latest stuff, like CSS. The next IE will be deeply imbedded into the new "Longhorn" operating system because Microsoft WON the law suits they "lost". One thing that puzzeled me was one of the first fitness articles. It was written at a level that professional coaches would like, but way above what a fitness swimmer would or could use. There should be no acronyms used, and they should be easy to understand. If we are to communicate to our fitness swimmers, we should survey them to see if they are understanding it all. As I often say " If your people can't understand you, then perhaps you need to look within and not at them"