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
Parents
Former Member
As an organization, we are made up of about 20% that enjoy pool competition and 80% that swim for other reasons (fitness, improve triathlon skills, improve social life, etc.)
If you divide us into two groups, fitness and competitive, I don't think one is more interested in growth or no growth than the other.
There are lots of opinions as to where USMS should focus its attention and how to best serve the needs of fitness and competitive swimmers. I don't believe these have to be mutally exclusive, but rather a continum of offerings to adult swimmers.
As an organization, we are made up of about 20% that enjoy pool competition and 80% that swim for other reasons (fitness, improve triathlon skills, improve social life, etc.)
If you divide us into two groups, fitness and competitive, I don't think one is more interested in growth or no growth than the other.
There are lots of opinions as to where USMS should focus its attention and how to best serve the needs of fitness and competitive swimmers. I don't believe these have to be mutally exclusive, but rather a continum of offerings to adult swimmers.
