Since my previous poll looks to be shut down reasonably soon (it appears to have attracted the evicted tenants from the dating/marriage thread), I thought I would try yet another one on the social component of masters swimming. I am pretty sure that when the sport was founded, socializing and camaraderie were key parts of the whole business.
As a former coach for a smallish team in my home town, plus a former college "continuing education" teacher of writing classes (i.e., non graded, non credit), it struck me very clearly that some people are very dedicated to the specific activity per se (be this swimming or learning how to write a magazine article), but the majority come together to participate only partly because of the ostensible reason, and partly (if not mainly) for the chance to be around and enjoy the company of folks they have something in common with.
My team goes to breakfast after Saturday morning practice and to a bar on Thursday nights. When I first joined the team in 1999 I was shocked that people actually went out every week, but as I got more and more comfortable getting to know my teammates, I actually looked forward to Thursday nights to go eat chips, burgers, have a beer or a chocolate waffle over a good conversation...mostly not even swimming related! Sometimes people show up and haven't even been to practice. Or me lately, I go to Fort's team's practice now on Thursday nights and then go over and meet my friends at the bar. We've all become really good friends over the years. Thursday night is "bar night."
My team goes to breakfast after Saturday morning practice and to a bar on Thursday nights. When I first joined the team in 1999 I was shocked that people actually went out every week, but as I got more and more comfortable getting to know my teammates, I actually looked forward to Thursday nights to go eat chips, burgers, have a beer or a chocolate waffle over a good conversation...mostly not even swimming related! Sometimes people show up and haven't even been to practice. Or me lately, I go to Fort's team's practice now on Thursday nights and then go over and meet my friends at the bar. We've all become really good friends over the years. Thursday night is "bar night."
