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
Newmastersswimmer:
You're hitting a hot button on this one. While I agree with you that a slightly smaller faster run meet would be more appealing to the participants, I have run into many who feel that Master nationals should not be put on the same pedestal as USS Nationals. That is, many believe that Masters nationals should be more low key in terms of entry times to allow more fitness oriented swimmers (not just competitive or elite swimmers) to also participate.
Personally, I say we shrink the meet, raise the meet entries $5.00 or whatever is necessary and get the meet done at a decent hour every day. If you can't make the cut off time then swim at your regional or state meet instead.
originally posted by the Evil/Good Smith
That may be true John, but notice that I covered my *** by first posting a quote from you talking about making the qualifying times faster for Masters Nationals.....that way if I catch any flack about my post then I can safely pass the buck off onto you.....and then claim that you were the one who started the topic not me.....see how easy it is to shield oneself from that kind of heat?.....Actually I only suggested "slightly" modifying the qualifying times....having slightly faster qualifying times should only provide extra motivation for those swimmers who were already on the bubble with the current qualifying times....while at the same time not putting the new qualifying times out of reach for those same swimmers who are already on the bubble.....Everyone knows that there has to be some kind of line in the sand....whats wrong with moving that line just a little bit to the right?
Newmastersswimmer:
You're hitting a hot button on this one. While I agree with you that a slightly smaller faster run meet would be more appealing to the participants, I have run into many who feel that Master nationals should not be put on the same pedestal as USS Nationals. That is, many believe that Masters nationals should be more low key in terms of entry times to allow more fitness oriented swimmers (not just competitive or elite swimmers) to also participate.
Personally, I say we shrink the meet, raise the meet entries $5.00 or whatever is necessary and get the meet done at a decent hour every day. If you can't make the cut off time then swim at your regional or state meet instead.
originally posted by the Evil/Good Smith
That may be true John, but notice that I covered my *** by first posting a quote from you talking about making the qualifying times faster for Masters Nationals.....that way if I catch any flack about my post then I can safely pass the buck off onto you.....and then claim that you were the one who started the topic not me.....see how easy it is to shield oneself from that kind of heat?.....Actually I only suggested "slightly" modifying the qualifying times....having slightly faster qualifying times should only provide extra motivation for those swimmers who were already on the bubble with the current qualifying times....while at the same time not putting the new qualifying times out of reach for those same swimmers who are already on the bubble.....Everyone knows that there has to be some kind of line in the sand....whats wrong with moving that line just a little bit to the right?
