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
John.....Matt is incapable of being anything close to a "readers digest" writing kind of guy......you just gotta go with it the same way we put up with Geek throwing grenades out from time to time!
By the way.....I do believe it was a similar ranting from Matt on the whole NQT deal a few years back that the whole "elite" smackdown was spawned. The debate began when a few people who did not meet qualifying times swam the 1000/1650 and I beleive we're close to 10:00 minutes slower than the NQT.
Back then some of us dared to voice our opinion that not only is this is a competition, it is a "national" competition and thus may be something that would hold more value if earned and aspired to vs. "given".......this pushed us into the elite haves vs. have nots attacks.....few have dared venture back down this path.....so good luck....I'm putting a helmet on and staying out of sight as this will surely mean a return to late bloomer challenges!
John.....Matt is incapable of being anything close to a "readers digest" writing kind of guy......you just gotta go with it the same way we put up with Geek throwing grenades out from time to time!
By the way.....I do believe it was a similar ranting from Matt on the whole NQT deal a few years back that the whole "elite" smackdown was spawned. The debate began when a few people who did not meet qualifying times swam the 1000/1650 and I beleive we're close to 10:00 minutes slower than the NQT.
Back then some of us dared to voice our opinion that not only is this is a competition, it is a "national" competition and thus may be something that would hold more value if earned and aspired to vs. "given".......this pushed us into the elite haves vs. have nots attacks.....few have dared venture back down this path.....so good luck....I'm putting a helmet on and staying out of sight as this will surely mean a return to late bloomer challenges!
