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
Frank,
Yes, I am aware of the infamous Masters Nationals at Stanford that went in the dark of night. But honestly, do you think comparing any masters nationals to that nightmare offers value? That meet was THE worst situation possible in terms of entries. If I were at the meet, I would have scratched everything after 5:00 and gone back to the hotel to drink beer and chow down. I mean really......... it's masters swimming....... :-) ....... 11:00 pm ....... p-l-e-a-s-e.
Steve has a good point. The current Masters Nationals really seems more like a "festival" of swimming due to the wide ranges of individual's speed in each age group. Cutting it down to say 3-4 heats per age group per event would certainly help get it over with.
As for seeding by time, it can ONLY help you go faster. Humiliating......... yes, absolutely, but it's good for surfing some 230lb sasquatch Evil Smith's wave on the last length. Get a few people in there in the same heat that are still younger and "green" without blockage in their arteries, and you can surf them for half the race. Yeah.... I'm for it.
John Smith
Frank,
Yes, I am aware of the infamous Masters Nationals at Stanford that went in the dark of night. But honestly, do you think comparing any masters nationals to that nightmare offers value? That meet was THE worst situation possible in terms of entries. If I were at the meet, I would have scratched everything after 5:00 and gone back to the hotel to drink beer and chow down. I mean really......... it's masters swimming....... :-) ....... 11:00 pm ....... p-l-e-a-s-e.
Steve has a good point. The current Masters Nationals really seems more like a "festival" of swimming due to the wide ranges of individual's speed in each age group. Cutting it down to say 3-4 heats per age group per event would certainly help get it over with.
As for seeding by time, it can ONLY help you go faster. Humiliating......... yes, absolutely, but it's good for surfing some 230lb sasquatch Evil Smith's wave on the last length. Get a few people in there in the same heat that are still younger and "green" without blockage in their arteries, and you can surf them for half the race. Yeah.... I'm for it.
John Smith
