Triathletes

The reparte is enjoyable, even if we should really be offended. Wouldn't a reasobale person assume that single discipline athletes having greater knowledge/skill base in their discipline. Would it not be unusual if the opposite were true? Snobbery based on the exclusivity of being a 'swimmer' or 'triathlete' or 'cyclist' is humorous though. It's about challenging yourself mates. Not about how much more knowledgable you are that someone newer to your chosen discipline. Hello, McFly. How about you offer some advice, be a leader, give the newbies some direction. Hey, btw, i'd like to see a line of elitist sentiment regarding backstroke flipturns! Even some of my college teammates stunk at backstroke turns. Perhaps someone can rant about tri's banging their heads on the wall while attempting back turns!!! Wouldn't that be fun, boys?

Hello, McFly. How about you offer some advice, be a leader, give the newbies some direction. Check out how many of the threads in this DF begin with: "I'm a newbie..." or "Need help with..." or "Just started swimming and..." or "I'm a triathlete, please help me swim faster but I don't want to know anything about starts, turns, streamlining, butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, or individual medley..."

My approach is to swim with swimmers (my upbringing), run with runners, and bike with bikers. Learn from the good ones in each discipline, regardless of background. So Boe knows what to do. This thread was started for those of the Tri stripe who, TI bible in hand, refuse to get along with the very people who are trying to help them. Will not swim anything but freestyle (distance at that), refuse to be passed in a civilized manner, disdain start and turn technique or etiquette, and talk over the coach. You apparently do not fit this category, so you are immune to the rants. Those who fit the profile probably do not surf this part of the web, anyway.

o.k, so what's with the tri-bashing thread? Curious. Maybe its just a few bad apples. I think I'm the only sucker that waded into these murky, shark infested waters. First time on USMS site and its populated with 'tri haters'. My approach is to swim with swimmers (my upbringing), run with runners, and bike with bikers. Learn from the good ones in each discipline, regardless of background. Peace to all. No worries mates.

I have noticed when I run into triathletes in the pool they are in general not the best swimmers....some of them are not bad......and a few are good at swimming...... But on the whole I have noticed that triathletes have a very, very, competitive edge that is fierce (I prefer a swimmer's competitive edge. We're competitive, but we won't kill each other)..... I recently got someone at work to swim in a USMS open water swim (Coney Island, NY)....She had only swam in triathlon swims before....but one thing she noticed was that when we started the other swimmers were not trying to climb all over you, punch you and fight you to the finish.....people said they were sorry if they bumped into you and if you were colliding with someone they changed course......It was a totally different experience for her.....and yes she swam with a wet-suit.....but that's O.K. with me. Besides in all of the Open Water swims I have been in if you are in a wet-suit you don't qualify for awards....and one race I have been in had separate categories for wet-suits and non-wet-suits. I think anyone that joins a masters swim team should be open to learn any new thing they can....new stroke, drill, turn, etc. Any of these things can make you a stronger swimmer, even if you are just going to swim open water events.......I keep trying to explain to people that it's important to do flip turns because it takes strength to do them and it makes you stronger...... Well no sense beating your head against a wall..... Those who chose to learn will..... -Keep on Swimming ;)

Originally posted by aquageek This is why this thread continues to amuse. We poke fun at triathletes and they get all defensive and crazed. I'm quite proud of my one dimensional status. That way I only have to make excuses for stinking at one sport and not the three that most tris have to. Interesting. So, you're poking fun, they're defensive and crazed. Is it possible that you're poking fun, they in turn are poking back, and now you're the one being defensive? Just curious...

With all due respect, well not really, I've been swimming a while and no coach has ever referred to overhand or underhand flip turns. That could be the reason for asking the question, not our desire to learn from you. We have ande for that.

Originally posted by chris ny you really have to love swimming it is the only sport where even the morbidly obese can excel. Name one single morbidly obese swimmer that excels. Don't forget the NFL, shot put, heavy weight boxing division, etc

Originally posted by chris ny tell me about why do think i have to wear the wetsuit its hard to stay afloat with only a 7% body fat. I am not as lucky as some. Try moving your arms and legs. Swimmers call this stroking and kicking. Wet suits are for the weak, or triathletes, take your pick.

an over hand flip like throwing a ball over your shoulder and an underhand is like throwing a softball pitch. and the underhand is sort of done to finish the flip. l I picked this up atmy masters calss class from someone in the fast lane. I seem to have a hard time with it. so here is a triathlete actually asking swimming advice and trying to learn and you guys are still launching airstrikes. ( which I have come to enjoy) how about a little input? by the way I draw the line with skateboarders there is nothing endearing about them at all the are like wheeled locusts.