May/June cover of USMS Swimmer

Originally posted by Portland Girl I am taking a big breath here and jumping into the proverbial deep end of the pool. As a recent Masters Swimmer enthusiast and relatively new member, I am surprised to see such an animated discussion about a cover of a magazine that as Matt pointed out, is geared towards an entire Masters Swimming membership, not just an elite few who are successful at winning championships. Before I joined Masters Swimming, I learned how to swim laps at a very late age compared to a lot of swimmers and hesitated joining Masters because I thought membership was restricted to the champions, the competitors who excel and who I admire greatly and love to watch and learn from. I learned to enjoy swimming because of the incredibly patient and dear friend who IS a Masters swim champion and I was introduced into the wonderful world of Swim meets, open water swims and everything else that goes with being in the USMS family. I met amazing people of every age group who swam with all levels of fellow swimmers and thankfully, never ran into the attitudes of some of you who have posted here, or I would have run from the pool as fast as I can and never joined USMS. Now, when I meet other beginner swimmers who are hesitant to approach USMS, I tell them my story and how much I love Masters swimming. There has been a lot of fun poked at fitness swimmers and I got the impression that you'all think fitness swimmers are just not good enough to be included in your ranks, why else would you have such a hostile reaction over a cover dedicated to swimmers who are not included in your ranks of achievement. I am thrilled that I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Katz at an open water swim and Sarah Kwan, others who I bet could give you a run, or make that swim, for your money. They are an inspiration to me and turned my whole concept of what most masters swimmers are about totally around, and I am grateful for that because I realize that the small group who snub anyone who doesn't compete and win, is a minute portion of USMS. Hey, guys, who do you think roots for you in the stands, or volunteers to help with the meets you compete and win at? I LOVE going to meets, open water swims because I learn so much about technique and style from watching all you champions, you inspire me to keep growing as a swimmer and one day I hope to be in the pool/lake with you, don't think that we don't appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to compete and win, we do! Having some "ordinary" people on the cover of USMS occasionally makes us feel that Masters swimming is indeed for all of us, not just you. Just a thought from someone who has learned to love swimming, USMS and the new "family" who have made me feel so welcome -- Matt, I would never have had the courage to post here if it weren't for your thoughtful and insightful messages. Not sure which Matt you are talking about but that was a great post. Good to hear some other viewpoints on here. The more the merrier!!:D

Originally posted by Portland Girl I am taking a big breath here and jumping into the proverbial deep end of the pool. As a recent Masters Swimmer enthusiast and relatively new member, I am surprised to see such an animated discussion about a cover of a magazine that as Matt pointed out, is geared towards an entire Masters Swimming membership, not just an elite few who are successful at winning championships. Before I joined Masters Swimming, I learned how to swim laps at a very late age compared to a lot of swimmers and hesitated joining Masters because I thought membership was restricted to the champions, the competitors who excel and who I admire greatly and love to watch and learn from. I learned to enjoy swimming because of the incredibly patient and dear friend who IS a Masters swim champion and I was introduced into the wonderful world of Swim meets, open water swims and everything else that goes with being in the USMS family. I met amazing people of every age group who swam with all levels of fellow swimmers and thankfully, never ran into the attitudes of some of you who have posted here, or I would have run from the pool as fast as I can and never joined USMS. Now, when I meet other beginner swimmers who are hesitant to approach USMS, I tell them my story and how much I love Masters swimming. There has been a lot of fun poked at fitness swimmers and I got the impression that you'all think fitness swimmers are just not good enough to be included in your ranks, why else would you have such a hostile reaction over a cover dedicated to swimmers who are not included in your ranks of achievement. I am thrilled that I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Katz at an open water swim and Sarah Kwan, others who I bet could give you a run, or make that swim, for your money. They are an inspiration to me and turned my whole concept of what most masters swimmers are about totally around, and I am grateful for that because I realize that the small group who snub anyone who doesn't compete and win, is a minute portion of USMS. Hey, guys, who do you think roots for you in the stands, or volunteers to help with the meets you compete and win at? I LOVE going to meets, open water swims because I learn so much about technique and style from watching all you champions, you inspire me to keep growing as a swimmer and one day I hope to be in the pool/lake with you, don't think that we don't appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to compete and win, we do! Having some "ordinary" people on the cover of USMS occasionally makes us feel that Masters swimming is indeed for all of us, not just you. Just a thought from someone who has learned to love swimming, USMS and the new "family" who have made me feel so welcome -- Matt, I would never have had the courage to post here if it weren't for your thoughtful and insightful messages. Not sure which Matt you are talking about but that was a great post. Good to hear some other viewpoints on here. The more the merrier!!:D