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
USMS can be beneficial to both these groups. We must give the competitive swimmer all the help we can because they are pushing the envelope and going into places where others have not been before. Exciting stuff. On the other hand whenever I am in a pool I see many so called lap swimmers who are successful and happy in our sport and swimming for all the right reasons. Lets not forget how open water swimming is growing and that there are several groups within the open water ranks. The so called solo swimmers who may not be fast but can swim forever -like across the channel, or complete a 10K for the first time. Others race any distance and love the competition. Both are successful and included in our USMS family.
We have Gary Hall’s Race Club where the state of the art training is offered from the worlds best sprint pro’s, Total Immersion’s technique help and the numerous fitness programs offered through our USMS fitness committee. Something for everyone.
One of my greatest swim memories was to have helped Sharon Luca, a blind swimmer swim 12 miles around Key West. She did not get a medal for her speed but we did award her a spirit award. She was as much a part of the event as the medalists.
I remember visiting the Hubbard Family Swim School in Scottsdale, Arizona and noticed that posted on the bulletin board they had articles of Olympic Champion swimmers and recent meet results. All this in a learn to swim environment. They have their eye on excellence while not forgetting everyone else. Excellent stuff to expose the kids to.
So let’s try to bring everyone that enjoys getting wet into our great sport.
We should do this over a Guinness.
USMS can be beneficial to both these groups. We must give the competitive swimmer all the help we can because they are pushing the envelope and going into places where others have not been before. Exciting stuff. On the other hand whenever I am in a pool I see many so called lap swimmers who are successful and happy in our sport and swimming for all the right reasons. Lets not forget how open water swimming is growing and that there are several groups within the open water ranks. The so called solo swimmers who may not be fast but can swim forever -like across the channel, or complete a 10K for the first time. Others race any distance and love the competition. Both are successful and included in our USMS family.
We have Gary Hall’s Race Club where the state of the art training is offered from the worlds best sprint pro’s, Total Immersion’s technique help and the numerous fitness programs offered through our USMS fitness committee. Something for everyone.
One of my greatest swim memories was to have helped Sharon Luca, a blind swimmer swim 12 miles around Key West. She did not get a medal for her speed but we did award her a spirit award. She was as much a part of the event as the medalists.
I remember visiting the Hubbard Family Swim School in Scottsdale, Arizona and noticed that posted on the bulletin board they had articles of Olympic Champion swimmers and recent meet results. All this in a learn to swim environment. They have their eye on excellence while not forgetting everyone else. Excellent stuff to expose the kids to.
So let’s try to bring everyone that enjoys getting wet into our great sport.
We should do this over a Guinness.
