Is there really a division between masters swimmers? i.e. one camp allied to a more low key fitness oriented approach with low membership growth vs. a meet oriented competitive (elite) camp?
This sounds ridiculous to me. I don't think I've ever run into anyone that acknowledged this debate on a pool deck.
What spawns this rift in Masters swimming? Is this an old guard vs. younger member phenonmenon?
Are there different motivations that exist that create this conflict in terms of the future of USMS? Why can't both coexist?
I say we poll some people out there and find out what they support.
John Smith
one camp allied to a more low key fitness oriented approach with low membership growth vs. a meet oriented competitive (elite) camp?
There may be folks who only want to swim for fitness and don't really care if USMS grows (or not).
There may be competitors out there that consider themselves elite level and are happy with current participation levels as well.
I don't think the poll really addresses the fact that you may reside in part of both camps from both directions - low key fitness but don't care about growth, more or less both being fine or meet oriented but not necessarily in favor of rapid or sustained expansion.
I'm not sure I'm getting my thoughts down here reasonably well but hopefully you get my drift.
one camp allied to a more low key fitness oriented approach with low membership growth vs. a meet oriented competitive (elite) camp?
There may be folks who only want to swim for fitness and don't really care if USMS grows (or not).
There may be competitors out there that consider themselves elite level and are happy with current participation levels as well.
I don't think the poll really addresses the fact that you may reside in part of both camps from both directions - low key fitness but don't care about growth, more or less both being fine or meet oriented but not necessarily in favor of rapid or sustained expansion.
I'm not sure I'm getting my thoughts down here reasonably well but hopefully you get my drift.
