Another thread has provided lots of food for thought about the value (or not) of joining Masters Swimming. I have lived in several areas with great Masters swim teams and joining was a no brainer. Fitness, competition, insurance (as I recently learned), and a social life are all reasons to participate.
However, I now live in an area where I swim alone, and after reading messages on this forum, I find that there are a whole lot of us out here in the same boat. I have joined Masters but every year I ask myself WHY? I guess am doing it to support the organization but I really don't think I am getting anything out of it.
One thought that comes to mind as I swim hour after hour by myself is that we should somehow take advantage of the web to not only create "virtual swims", but "virtual swim TEAMS" for those of us who would like to be a part of a group. We could check for workouts, discuss local events, provide personal support. Maybe a nationwide group is not the answer, but perhaps we could break down into States or areas. I realize that there would be plenty of logistical problems such as "coaches", workouts, etc. But as someone mentioned in the other thread, perhaps just a place to log in your distance and compare it with others in your State would be helpful. Maybe something as small as that could motivate some of us out here in the hinterlands to keep swimming when there is no one to keep us going.
Just a thought.......... :rolleyes:
barb
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by Seagurl51 This is a great idea! I love the idea of being able to interact with other unattached swimmers and gain motivation from them. Sometimes it can be hard to swim all those laps without someone there. And if it had a coach...that would make it all the more worth while!
Kyra
p.s. Being from Idaho, I can sympathize with all the people from Wyoming, and I think it could be really beneficial to be able to talk to swimmers in your general area.
Our 'real' team already has a bulletin board where teammates can chat with one another. Those are pretty easy to set up.
Then you could, I dunno, for a monthly fee you could have a weekly private online (or telephone or instant messenger) conversation with a coach, access to daily workouts, weekly news with stroke tips etc... Access to online video library. Perhaps every 3 months you could send in a video of your stroke, and have it analyzed. Havea yearly meeting and a social event.
I'm thinking if it's tied to our 'real life' (as opposed to virtual) team, especially in this area, there are a lot of people with guestrooms. Some of our current 'satellite members' when they come to our Zone meet, don't even have to stay in the hotel. Out of some 120-150 teammates, someone is always willing to offer a guestroom. It's a nice experience for both, the guest and a host.
And, well, being that we're in Southern California, what an interesting place to visit, any time of the year, especially with inexpensive accomodations!
I'm working on website related things right now, like an on-line swimmers log, where you can keep your yardage and times etc... and coach can look at them when you want to, or you can chart your progression.
Also, it's a done deal, we're going to have an on-line fitness swim event, 'Swim to Nationals' (we're hosting the nationals in 05), so fitness swimmers could choose few starting points across the country, and log their distances till they make it all the way to nationals. We're looking to include the same 'goodie bag' and a national's fitness event souvenir for all those who participate (online). There will be a chat room for participants too. Who knows, maybe by nationals you decide to come out to California.
That online/postal event will start Jan 1st and will be hosted by my team.
Rumor has it that there may be an ocean 1 mile swim available just down the street a the same time nationals are going on. I don't know if that is official yet or not.
Originally posted by Seagurl51 This is a great idea! I love the idea of being able to interact with other unattached swimmers and gain motivation from them. Sometimes it can be hard to swim all those laps without someone there. And if it had a coach...that would make it all the more worth while!
Kyra
p.s. Being from Idaho, I can sympathize with all the people from Wyoming, and I think it could be really beneficial to be able to talk to swimmers in your general area.
Our 'real' team already has a bulletin board where teammates can chat with one another. Those are pretty easy to set up.
Then you could, I dunno, for a monthly fee you could have a weekly private online (or telephone or instant messenger) conversation with a coach, access to daily workouts, weekly news with stroke tips etc... Access to online video library. Perhaps every 3 months you could send in a video of your stroke, and have it analyzed. Havea yearly meeting and a social event.
I'm thinking if it's tied to our 'real life' (as opposed to virtual) team, especially in this area, there are a lot of people with guestrooms. Some of our current 'satellite members' when they come to our Zone meet, don't even have to stay in the hotel. Out of some 120-150 teammates, someone is always willing to offer a guestroom. It's a nice experience for both, the guest and a host.
And, well, being that we're in Southern California, what an interesting place to visit, any time of the year, especially with inexpensive accomodations!
I'm working on website related things right now, like an on-line swimmers log, where you can keep your yardage and times etc... and coach can look at them when you want to, or you can chart your progression.
Also, it's a done deal, we're going to have an on-line fitness swim event, 'Swim to Nationals' (we're hosting the nationals in 05), so fitness swimmers could choose few starting points across the country, and log their distances till they make it all the way to nationals. We're looking to include the same 'goodie bag' and a national's fitness event souvenir for all those who participate (online). There will be a chat room for participants too. Who knows, maybe by nationals you decide to come out to California.
That online/postal event will start Jan 1st and will be hosted by my team.
Rumor has it that there may be an ocean 1 mile swim available just down the street a the same time nationals are going on. I don't know if that is official yet or not.
