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
Just wanted to include those non-pro swimmers. I'd say Olympic trials cuts would make one elite - we could argue on the semantics for ages ...
I hope that at 90 you are still WALKING to the beach for your 3 mile swims. That's a better goal, don't you think? 70 is still young!
I have as much, if not more, respect for the adult learners that swim meets and do tough events (400IM, 200 of any stroke, the 1650, etc) and have fun as I do for those that set records left and right ...
AND ANYONE who even thinks about swimming 18 miles and trains for it is elite in my book ...
Just wanted to include those non-pro swimmers. I'd say Olympic trials cuts would make one elite - we could argue on the semantics for ages ...
I hope that at 90 you are still WALKING to the beach for your 3 mile swims. That's a better goal, don't you think? 70 is still young!
I have as much, if not more, respect for the adult learners that swim meets and do tough events (400IM, 200 of any stroke, the 1650, etc) and have fun as I do for those that set records left and right ...
AND ANYONE who even thinks about swimming 18 miles and trains for it is elite in my book ...
