I finally got my USMS Swimmer magazine today. Thought a poll might be in order.
My own first impressions, very well done. I was worried about lack of advertising space. I was surprised that so much space was sold. I count 5 full page adds, and many quarter page adds.
Hopefully this added potential income to USMS will allow us to better serve our members.
My overal all grade is an A-, why not a A or A+?
Well I actually liked the Freestyle Open Turns article. I have perfected my own freestyle turn where I can beat most flip turn people. Note I said most. Having a great flip turn is an awesome advantage to fast freestylers. But that leaves me out.
A good open turn allows me to get a good breathe, VERY important for someone with asthma. It also allows me to get in a perfect streamline and push off about 7 to 8 yards before the first stroke. I also have a bad wing, so taking less strokes per lap means I can sleep at night.
But now to be critical, looking at pages 18 and 19 there are several minor flaws in this "Competitive Butterfly Turn". My concern is that both new and older swimmers will think this is the "perfect" butterfly turn, and it is not. I will elaborate in another thread on this.
I am sure many people worked very hard on this issue, everyone deserves credit in making this first issue a proud new tool for our organization to spread the values of Masters swimming.
Parents
Former Member
I just joined USMS this year, so I never got the "old" magazine. However, I was pretty happy with the new one. Sure, I would have preferred an article on flip turns, but perhaps that is for another issue. Last night at the pool, thanks to the article on open turns, I realized that I was doing a pretty lousy turn (I don't flip often - I can do it, but it makes me dizzy b/c of an inner ear thing).
I loved the article about the English Channel swimmers. Almost (but not quite) makes me want to give it a try.
I got a complimentary copy of Swimming a few weeks ago and found it depressing in the focus on college, high school, and competitive swimming. Since most USMS swimmers are out of college (certainly high school and club age), I think it's best that USMS leaves those areas to other publications.
I gave the magazine a "B". Suggestions for later include:
-- more articles on technique (w/ illustrations)
-- an 'ask the coach' section (not all of us have coaches we can ask for help)
-- workouts for different skill levels.
Overall, though, I'm pleased - keep up the hard work!
Kae
I just joined USMS this year, so I never got the "old" magazine. However, I was pretty happy with the new one. Sure, I would have preferred an article on flip turns, but perhaps that is for another issue. Last night at the pool, thanks to the article on open turns, I realized that I was doing a pretty lousy turn (I don't flip often - I can do it, but it makes me dizzy b/c of an inner ear thing).
I loved the article about the English Channel swimmers. Almost (but not quite) makes me want to give it a try.
I got a complimentary copy of Swimming a few weeks ago and found it depressing in the focus on college, high school, and competitive swimming. Since most USMS swimmers are out of college (certainly high school and club age), I think it's best that USMS leaves those areas to other publications.
I gave the magazine a "B". Suggestions for later include:
-- more articles on technique (w/ illustrations)
-- an 'ask the coach' section (not all of us have coaches we can ask for help)
-- workouts for different skill levels.
Overall, though, I'm pleased - keep up the hard work!
Kae
