Triathletes

Originally posted by beireland I don't know how to let everyone know this, but USMS is losing out to the UST(or whatever their organizing body is). The largest open water swims are all triathalons. OK, they aren't a pure swim but there are a lot more and they have more competitors. I can't tell you why its easier to get people to sign up to try to master three sports than a single one but it is. Most masters team have a large tri contingent. Mine does. Tthe underlying question of why triathalons are growing rapidly and masters swimming isn't, is something that we need to recognize. I don't know why. Is it more satisfying to get slaughtered in a triathalon than in a pool meet or open water swim because there is a greater assumption of accomplishment associated with completion of a tri? I don't know. I don't really know how USMS gets new members. I'm always surprised when I come across someone who has actually heard of us. Most of the people I swim around were at one time members but felt they got nothingout of the organization but some workouts. Many tri's aren't life-long swimmers. I really think that they make huge improvements when thye coem and worout with swimmers. At least most of the tri's I know do. We have a mini-tri in September, our lanes get so much more business then.

Originally posted by beireland I don't know how to let everyone know this, but USMS is losing out to the UST(or whatever their organizing body is). The largest open water swims are all triathalons. OK, they aren't a pure swim but there are a lot more and they have more competitors. I can't tell you why its easier to get people to sign up to try to master three sports than a single one but it is. Most masters team have a large tri contingent. Mine does. Tthe underlying question of why triathalons are growing rapidly and masters swimming isn't, is something that we need to recognize. I don't know why. Is it more satisfying to get slaughtered in a triathalon than in a pool meet or open water swim because there is a greater assumption of accomplishment associated with completion of a tri? I don't know. I don't really know how USMS gets new members. I'm always surprised when I come across someone who has actually heard of us. Most of the people I swim around were at one time members but felt they got nothingout of the organization but some workouts. Many tri's aren't life-long swimmers. I really think that they make huge improvements when thye coem and worout with swimmers. At least most of the tri's I know do. We have a mini-tri in September, our lanes get so much more business then.