May/June cover of USMS Swimmer

Matt touched on what I think is one of the most important things we can do to promote and grow masters swimming - have more open water events. Open water attracts competitive swimmers as well as those that just want the challenge to finish the distance (sounds like a fitness swimmer). It is much like the difference between running track and field versus a 10k or marathon. Pool swimmers are like those that run masters track. We probably grew up with the sport and enjoy racing throughout life. An open water swim has the potential to attract swimmers much like a 10k attracts many who would never consider themselves competitive runners. They just want the challenge of being fit and this type of event gives them a goal to work towards. Too Tall Paul earlier identified the friendships that one can make in a swim meet as a reason to try it. The same exists in an open water swim, but you don't feel the exposure that you do in a meet. At an open water swim, we all start at once and there is usually a social event afterwards. Non swimmers typically don't know the difference between swimming the 100 free is 41 seconds versus 1:15. However, you tell them you swam 2 miles, they know exactly what an accomplishment that is. Fitness swimmers, competitive swimmers and everyone in between can feel an accomplishment just by finishing the event. In truth, only the few fastest are actually racing, the rest of us are just having fun.

Matt touched on what I think is one of the most important things we can do to promote and grow masters swimming - have more open water events. Open water attracts competitive swimmers as well as those that just want the challenge to finish the distance (sounds like a fitness swimmer). It is much like the difference between running track and field versus a 10k or marathon. Pool swimmers are like those that run masters track. We probably grew up with the sport and enjoy racing throughout life. An open water swim has the potential to attract swimmers much like a 10k attracts many who would never consider themselves competitive runners. They just want the challenge of being fit and this type of event gives them a goal to work towards. Too Tall Paul earlier identified the friendships that one can make in a swim meet as a reason to try it. The same exists in an open water swim, but you don't feel the exposure that you do in a meet. At an open water swim, we all start at once and there is usually a social event afterwards. Non swimmers typically don't know the difference between swimming the 100 free is 41 seconds versus 1:15. However, you tell them you swam 2 miles, they know exactly what an accomplishment that is. Fitness swimmers, competitive swimmers and everyone in between can feel an accomplishment just by finishing the event. In truth, only the few fastest are actually racing, the rest of us are just having fun.