Is the SPLITS essential to a competitive swimmer?

Geek: I wanna see you do the SPLITS! I do remember on the cross training thread that Terry said he like to mountain bike. Me, I'm running and weight lifting today. No swimming whatsoever. Sore shoulders.

Geek: I wanna see you do the SPLITS! I do remember on the cross training thread that Terry said he like to mountain bike. Me, I'm running and weight lifting today. No swimming whatsoever. Sore shoulders.