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
Thank you Randy for bring some light to this issue.
I am new to reading and posting on the forum, but it seems that it had gotten a bit intense at times on what an elite swimmer is or isnt, I guess that type of thinking automaticaly makes me a lap/fitness swimmer irregardless of my goals. I work in healthcare so my focus is to celebrate life in all its glories and follies because it may not be there tomorrow. I truly enjoy and am a bit jeslous of others who swim fast but I am equally impressed with the person who can't but tries anyways and keeps trying, in fact maybe a little more impressed by that person, to me that is the truly "elite" swimmer. I am guessing and hoping there are more of those swimmers in the USMS membership...
Thank you Randy for bring some light to this issue.
I am new to reading and posting on the forum, but it seems that it had gotten a bit intense at times on what an elite swimmer is or isnt, I guess that type of thinking automaticaly makes me a lap/fitness swimmer irregardless of my goals. I work in healthcare so my focus is to celebrate life in all its glories and follies because it may not be there tomorrow. I truly enjoy and am a bit jeslous of others who swim fast but I am equally impressed with the person who can't but tries anyways and keeps trying, in fact maybe a little more impressed by that person, to me that is the truly "elite" swimmer. I am guessing and hoping there are more of those swimmers in the USMS membership...
