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
Thanks for refreshing this thread for us "newbies".
Where I fit in in master's swimming is a big question for me. I'm swimming on my own now. I started back in the pool in Nov. following surgery and 20 years of inactivity. I never swam competively, just laps for stress relief in college and grad school. Now I swim with more intention. My body's getting older and I need to gain fitness yesterday. I've started by working my way through the 0 to 1650 program (week 4 for me).
I regard myself as a serious swimmer at the start of a training program. When I discovered the master's team at my pool, I thought "that's what I'm looking for", understandably after I've got more endurance and speed. When I made interested noises to some master's swimmers I met, I encountered a wall of elitism which turned me off. Big time.
Now, I don't know if I'll ever compete. A few months ago I would have said "no way, no how". Now, as I can feel myself swim better, longer and faster, I'm not so sure. I'm addicted to swimming and am competitive by nature. But any team I train with has to have a developmental attitude.
This board has been a great source of encouragement. Most posters seem to be accepting of those new to serious swimming. I've learned a great deal reading discussions (haven't had much to add to this point), and seen that there is a place for non-competitors within the organization.
That said, I think using language such as "elite" when meaning competitors is off-putting. "Elite" has an undeniable connotation of "better that others", and I hope that's not where the emphasis is.
I wish my local team had more of a welcoming attitude. Maybe I talked to the wrong people. I'll certainly try again as I get stronger and faster (I'm stubborn too). But for right now, I'm the gal in the second lane - too fast for the wall too slow for the middle - working on my technique.
Thanks for refreshing this thread for us "newbies".
Where I fit in in master's swimming is a big question for me. I'm swimming on my own now. I started back in the pool in Nov. following surgery and 20 years of inactivity. I never swam competively, just laps for stress relief in college and grad school. Now I swim with more intention. My body's getting older and I need to gain fitness yesterday. I've started by working my way through the 0 to 1650 program (week 4 for me).
I regard myself as a serious swimmer at the start of a training program. When I discovered the master's team at my pool, I thought "that's what I'm looking for", understandably after I've got more endurance and speed. When I made interested noises to some master's swimmers I met, I encountered a wall of elitism which turned me off. Big time.
Now, I don't know if I'll ever compete. A few months ago I would have said "no way, no how". Now, as I can feel myself swim better, longer and faster, I'm not so sure. I'm addicted to swimming and am competitive by nature. But any team I train with has to have a developmental attitude.
This board has been a great source of encouragement. Most posters seem to be accepting of those new to serious swimming. I've learned a great deal reading discussions (haven't had much to add to this point), and seen that there is a place for non-competitors within the organization.
That said, I think using language such as "elite" when meaning competitors is off-putting. "Elite" has an undeniable connotation of "better that others", and I hope that's not where the emphasis is.
I wish my local team had more of a welcoming attitude. Maybe I talked to the wrong people. I'll certainly try again as I get stronger and faster (I'm stubborn too). But for right now, I'm the gal in the second lane - too fast for the wall too slow for the middle - working on my technique.
