Elite vs. Fitness

This is news to me as well. I've never heard of a rift in the ranks. We have swimmers who don't compete but are interested in improving and pushing those of us who do compete.

one camp allied to a more low key fitness oriented approach with low membership growth vs. a meet oriented competitive (elite) camp? There may be folks who only want to swim for fitness and don't really care if USMS grows (or not). There may be competitors out there that consider themselves elite level and are happy with current participation levels as well. I don't think the poll really addresses the fact that you may reside in part of both camps from both directions - low key fitness but don't care about growth, more or less both being fine or meet oriented but not necessarily in favor of rapid or sustained expansion. I'm not sure I'm getting my thoughts down here reasonably well but hopefully you get my drift.

john, you are up to your old rabble rowsing ways Your flawed assumption is Elite swimmers = high growth in masters swimming I believe there are many more fitness swimmers and triathletes than swimmers who want to compete. Masters teams grow locally, How a masters teams grow depends on a fuzzy formula with combinations of the following factors: + location, + training times, + facility, (changing areas and swim pool) (pool space, # of swimmers per lane, slow lanes can fit more swimmers, pool temp and chlorine levels) + lane training partners, (people to race or misery loves company) + friends (outside the pool activities) + coaches, (knowledge, fun, challenge, likability) and + cost What else? I'm lucky that I'm spoiled with the program and facility. Ande

Originally posted by jim clemmons There may be folks who only want to swim for fitness and don't really care if USMS grows (or not). There may be competitors out there that consider themselves elite level and are happy with current participation levels as well. I don't think the poll really addresses the fact that you may reside in part of both camps from both directions - low key fitness but don't care about growth, more or less both being fine or meet oriented but not necessarily in favor of rapid or sustained expansion. I'm not sure I'm getting my thoughts down here reasonably well but hopefully you get my drift. Actually quite well, because that is how I feel. At this time, I swim for fitness and dabble in a meet here or there. If USMS grows, great, if it does not, whatever(although I think it is a good organization, and I would like to see it do well). I swim with people who are focused on competing, and we are fine swimming side by side, no issues. So this poll is not complete.

These rifts apparently exists within the USMS governing body. It appears to effect the general direction and decision making within USMS. I have heard different members and participants of USMS committees speak to these differences over and over. John Smith

That could probably be worded a bit more evenly. Both Competitive and Low Key swimmers could either want higher or lower membership. How About more of a breakdown like the 2 polls below? Poll 1 What kind of swimmer are you? 1)Low key fitness oriented swimmer. or 2)Competitive meet oriented swimmer Poll 2 What is your preferred USMS membership growth rate? 1) Supports low membership growth for USMS. I like my lane space and the status quo. 2) Supports more rapid USMS membership growth. Originally posted by TheGoodSmith 1) Low key fitness oriented swimmer that supports low membership growth for USMS. I like my lane space and the status quo. or 2) Competitive meet oriented swimmer that supports more rapid USMS membership growth. I say we poll some people out there and find out what they support. John Smith

I'm not the one touting or defining this 2 sided argument. Personally, I think its ridiculous. This argument and general concept stems from the USMS organization at higher levels. It is, unforutunately, addressed in these terms. John Smith

As an organization, we are made up of about 20% that enjoy pool competition and 80% that swim for other reasons (fitness, improve triathlon skills, improve social life, etc.) If you divide us into two groups, fitness and competitive, I don't think one is more interested in growth or no growth than the other. There are lots of opinions as to where USMS should focus its attention and how to best serve the needs of fitness and competitive swimmers. I don't believe these have to be mutally exclusive, but rather a continum of offerings to adult swimmers.

Mark, Do you think there are a significant number of members that prefer USMS to grow at a slow rate ? If so..... why would they want USMS to stay relatively stagnant in size? John Smith

The use of the description of "elite swimmer" is part of the problem in determining this poll. Its a little much isn't it??