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
Donna, there are definitely elite swimmers - the Coughlins, Phelps, Crockers, and Sandenos of the world ... I wouldn't classify it simply by $$ though, I'd put all the A & B finalist from Nationals, Worlds, NCAAs, Olympics, etc in that group whether or not they are making $$$. It takes some darn fast times to final at any of those meets.
By the by Donna, I'd put you into that group when you were swimming USS.
What about the masters elite though? The swimmers that go to worlds (masters worlds) and win or go top 3, break masters world or national records? I think we can have elite swimmers and elite masters swimmers .... like the John and Paul Smiths of the world ... those are some impressive times those guys put up ... it must a longhorn thing ...
Donna, there are definitely elite swimmers - the Coughlins, Phelps, Crockers, and Sandenos of the world ... I wouldn't classify it simply by $$ though, I'd put all the A & B finalist from Nationals, Worlds, NCAAs, Olympics, etc in that group whether or not they are making $$$. It takes some darn fast times to final at any of those meets.
By the by Donna, I'd put you into that group when you were swimming USS.
What about the masters elite though? The swimmers that go to worlds (masters worlds) and win or go top 3, break masters world or national records? I think we can have elite swimmers and elite masters swimmers .... like the John and Paul Smiths of the world ... those are some impressive times those guys put up ... it must a longhorn thing ...
