In order to reduce the time of swim meets I have often suggested that Breaststroke be added to Diving competition. It is a perfectly good, relaxing and sedate activity, excellently suited to the return of a diver to the side of the pool, makng to most of face time to the judges. Almost all divers are accomplished breaststrokers anyway, as well as other non athletic pursuits such as drinking, smoking and practicing law.
Perhaps Breaststroke should be judged by an international panel instead of timed, as well? No issue with judge tampering, I have never witnessed an agreement between two breaststrokers as to what the latest technique development will accomplish. And just wait 30 minutes, there is a new instructional video being put out by the latest 13 year old world champion and record holder. Do you know there are more than twice as many breaststroke videos as the other three strokes combined? How many different ways are there to teach the coordinated dog paddle/ ultimate survival stroke? Plenty, it seems.
If the Breaststrokers also practiced with the divers, it would leave so much more room in the competition pool for swimmers. Honestly, when was the last time anyone heard a breaststroker admit to being a swimmer willingly? Let's give them their space! While we're at it, restore balance and style to the IM and its historically correct three strokes! Then perhaps I will win one, someday.
My favorite stroke? That of the poison pen!
In order to reduce the time of swim meets I have often suggested that Breaststroke be added to Diving competition. It is a perfectly good, relaxing and sedate activity, excellently suited to the return of a diver to the side of the pool, makng to most of face time to the judges. Almost all divers are accomplished breaststrokers anyway, as well as other non athletic pursuits such as drinking, smoking and practicing law.
Perhaps Breaststroke should be judged by an international panel instead of timed, as well? No issue with judge tampering, I have never witnessed an agreement between two breaststrokers as to what the latest technique development will accomplish. And just wait 30 minutes, there is a new instructional video being put out by the latest 13 year old world champion and record holder. Do you know there are more than twice as many breaststroke videos as the other three strokes combined? How many different ways are there to teach the coordinated dog paddle/ ultimate survival stroke? Plenty, it seems.
If the Breaststrokers also practiced with the divers, it would leave so much more room in the competition pool for swimmers. Honestly, when was the last time anyone heard a breaststroker admit to being a swimmer willingly? Let's give them their space! While we're at it, restore balance and style to the IM and its historically correct three strokes! Then perhaps I will win one, someday.
My favorite stroke? That of the poison pen!
