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
I am glad Dr. Suess dragged up this thread. I remember hearing about this long before I started posting. Some very interesting viewpoints.
My thought on nationals is that it is pretty cool that pretty much any USMS swimmer can go - and is something I know I mention every time I try to recruit folks to come (or just get into the pool).
Also, a different view on the honor of going to nationals: consider folks like myself who never swam AAU/USS/YMCA/NCAA. Folks who are getting in the water for the first time ever, or after 20-30-40 years. Folks who have swum all their life and love it but can never challenge michael phelps.
For all of us who never got the chance to qualify for a national meet as a kid, now, we can go to the national meet whenever we want just because we can. I think that is pretty cool. Now, I do make NQTs, and do quite alright for myself as well. :joker:
I am glad Dr. Suess dragged up this thread. I remember hearing about this long before I started posting. Some very interesting viewpoints.
My thought on nationals is that it is pretty cool that pretty much any USMS swimmer can go - and is something I know I mention every time I try to recruit folks to come (or just get into the pool).
Also, a different view on the honor of going to nationals: consider folks like myself who never swam AAU/USS/YMCA/NCAA. Folks who are getting in the water for the first time ever, or after 20-30-40 years. Folks who have swum all their life and love it but can never challenge michael phelps.
For all of us who never got the chance to qualify for a national meet as a kid, now, we can go to the national meet whenever we want just because we can. I think that is pretty cool. Now, I do make NQTs, and do quite alright for myself as well. :joker:
