May/June cover of USMS Swimmer

I think Laineybug means myopic -- meaning short sighted. Anyway, I kinda liked the idea of a "belt" system. In cycling for instance, until you reach "Masters" age which is 40 or something like that, there are different categories to race in that reflect the abillity level of the people competing. I think I see what you're saying about even that engendering a kind of competitiveness as well, but I think it might help attract people to the sport who are afraid of getting their butts kicked by a 45 year old Michael Phelps. Plus for me, it would give me something to work towards But then, I'm very goal oriented. Fitness swimmers are going to continue to be fitness swimmers regardless. The above system might attract people to the sport who would want to compete, but are afraid of looking like idiots. I still don't understand what a fitness swimmer would want an organization like USMS to do for them. If a belt system that benchmarked improvement is too competitive-seeming, then what would be better?

I have not called anyone a bigot. I said bigotry which means intolerance. You know, you are right. Good bye.

Originally posted by laineybug I have not called anyone a bigot. I said bigotry which means intolerance. From the Merriam-Webster dictionary: bigotry Main Entry: big·ot·ry Pronunciation: 'bi-g&-trE Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -ries 1 : the state of mind of a bigot 2 : acts or beliefs characteristic of a bigot I suppose the term noodling does not imply that one is a noodlist.

This thread is full of life! Where is *** in times like these? Regarding swim meets and getting your butt kicked by people twice your age...I have been shown up a few times in my 50 and 100 Free events by people in their 40's and sometimes early 50's (I am 31). What keeps it fun for me is that the people in my heat are of similar talent and fitness levels. I race in my heat and make that MY race for the day. I am not really concerned about the overall for the day, just my heat. Sure, I always stick around and get my ribbons for whatever place I happen to get in my age group (last time I got 1st in an event because I was the only competitor in that age group...:D ). But the nerve racking step up to the starting block, the semmingly endless wait for the horn to sound, and the eager anticipation to see who will touch the last wall first is what makes it worthwhile. Ribbons are nice but the feeling before, during, and after my heat race is what makes me come back for more. To touch on what Gull stated a few posts ago, the beauty of this whole thing is that while I have fun preparing for a meet, all the while I am actually doing my body a tremendous amount of good by staying active.

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.

Originally posted by aquageek First, I know for a fact that gull80 is a coffee bigot. Some may call it snobbish behavior but the way he treats subpar coffee, I'd surely call it bigotry. He's a coffeeist. Any man who chooses hotels based on proximity to Starbucks can only be called a coffee bigot. If that qualifies one as being a bigot then I am married to one. Time for a heart to heart over dinner tonight I guess.

Geek, go smock yourself.

It seems to me that the central issue here is motivators. Some people are motivated by competition, some people are not. Some people are only motivated by competition if they have some hope of competitive success, however they define that. A lot of people are motivated by experiencing improvement and setting achievable goals and pursuing them. Some people are motivated by just getting in the water and swimming laps and don't need or want anything more and there isn't much point in trying to "service" those people. Here, and in previous discussions I have had on this topic I have found that competition oriented swimmers repeatedly attempt to cast attempts at offering services to non competition oriented swimmers as attempts at dividing the membership. I am mystified by this assertion. Serving all your members doesn't have to be an us versus them issue. I would like to point out that in most competitions seeding is done by time but the results are rearranged by age group and gender. Meet software does this automatically with no effort on the part of the meet management. That presentation represents a certain set of values, there is no reason that the software could not be supplemented to provide additional presentations that reflect other values, goals, and motivators, also with minimal to no effort on the part of the meet management.

Hey, I just passed TheGoodSmith's thread in number of views. Where do I pick up my award?

Speaking of open water swimming... Personally, I really enjoyed the cover of the March/April issue, which was a picture of an open water swimmer wearing a pink swim cap. We've heard a lot of discussion about a cover photo a few people here don't like, but it would also be helpful to hear what people like. USMS has published just eight issues since starting the magazine, and partial contents from back issues of the magazine may be found at: www.usmsswimmer.com So, what's your favorite cover? By the way, the magazine staff receives and reviews ideas all year round. In addition, USMS has one big annual planning meeting each June to plan the following year's editorial calendar. SWIMMER receives a lot of completed manuscripts, but an outline or short synopsis is preferred. Writers who wish to be considered for future assignments are invited to send a published writing sample. If you have ideas, thoughts, suggestions, or Letters to the Editor, please send them to: editor@usms.org