This new thread occurred to me while reading posts comparing Spitz to Phelps, as well as reflecting upon mortality considering heart attacks etc. In swimming we immortalize individuals or teams for various feats or contributions, but do little to preserve a feeling for subsequent generations of enthusiasts about what it was like to train and compete 'back in the day'. Just what day am I talking about? Exactly: there have been many 'days' or more properly 'eras' that can be narrowly characterized by differences in equipment, distances swum and trained, coaching methods or more widely by larger factors: world war, global depression, racial segregation, inequality of the sexes. All of these can contribute to very different experiences than what are common today to the younger swimmer; hence, 'what was it like'. I visualize a thread that continues to be added to as new people read it and remember their own experiences. As well, experience can vary with national origin, not just era. There have already been posts on this topic scattered in various threads, please feel free to copy or quote material from them to here.
Please remember that this is not about how fast a particular swimmer was, but about the conditions that defined competitive swimming of that day.
We also have a priceless resource out there: aging swimmers in their 80's or 90's who may be less likely to read or hear of this thread; why not ask them for some of their memories or impressions and pass them on to us, while we still can?
Parents
Former Member
I remember the Jello boxes!!!!!! That was a staple for food at just about every meet growing up!!!! That and Pixie Stix.....pure suger!!!!! YAY!!!! Just about as good as Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs!!!! This was at AAU meets in So Cal back in the day. Anybody else from So Cal? Inland Empire Swimming mean anything to anyone? I swam for the Glendora Ducks under Coach Peterson!!!!!
No goggles for meets!!!!! That was a standard, always wore them for practice but couldn't wear them at meets. Warmed up without goggles to get used to that particular pools lane markings and walls!!!
The Big Halo around the moon or any other light after you got done swimming!
Diets!!! As a freshman at Glendora Hish School, we went to Redlands Invitational Relays (a big deal at that time) with prelims in the afternoon and finals that same night. Meals in the Redlands University cafeteria.
Our team was hot, so coach had us sit togehter (didn't we always?) and ordered for us. I will never forget: rare hamburger patty, white bread, and honey (to pour on top of the meat.) Things change =)
Well, anyway, turns out this is a Friday, and I am Catholic. I get it, and no big deal, but one of my friends (this is in the early 60s, remember) shouts out: "Mike!!! You can't eat that meat! It's Friday!!!" Of course he/s not even Catholic, but now that the cat is out of the bag, my whole table runs off to Coach with things lie, "Coach!!! Waht to do!!!"
Well, Coach Waggoner puts his arm around me and smiles (I'm lie, whatever, Caoch, lets just eat and get on with it) and says, "Michael, I know what your faith tells you, but I also know that it tells you to deal with whatever situation you find yourself in." (Where did he come up with that?!) So, "Gee, okay coach, I guess it will be okay this time."
So, we won, and the next day he drives me and another fellow down to USC and introduces us to Peter Dalen. He tells Peter, "This is my breastroker." Peter tells me, "Tell your father USC is interested in you."
This is strange, but I feel good about it. My father, later that evening, wants to know where USC is.
I remember the Jello boxes!!!!!! That was a staple for food at just about every meet growing up!!!! That and Pixie Stix.....pure suger!!!!! YAY!!!! Just about as good as Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs!!!! This was at AAU meets in So Cal back in the day. Anybody else from So Cal? Inland Empire Swimming mean anything to anyone? I swam for the Glendora Ducks under Coach Peterson!!!!!
No goggles for meets!!!!! That was a standard, always wore them for practice but couldn't wear them at meets. Warmed up without goggles to get used to that particular pools lane markings and walls!!!
The Big Halo around the moon or any other light after you got done swimming!
Diets!!! As a freshman at Glendora Hish School, we went to Redlands Invitational Relays (a big deal at that time) with prelims in the afternoon and finals that same night. Meals in the Redlands University cafeteria.
Our team was hot, so coach had us sit togehter (didn't we always?) and ordered for us. I will never forget: rare hamburger patty, white bread, and honey (to pour on top of the meat.) Things change =)
Well, anyway, turns out this is a Friday, and I am Catholic. I get it, and no big deal, but one of my friends (this is in the early 60s, remember) shouts out: "Mike!!! You can't eat that meat! It's Friday!!!" Of course he/s not even Catholic, but now that the cat is out of the bag, my whole table runs off to Coach with things lie, "Coach!!! Waht to do!!!"
Well, Coach Waggoner puts his arm around me and smiles (I'm lie, whatever, Caoch, lets just eat and get on with it) and says, "Michael, I know what your faith tells you, but I also know that it tells you to deal with whatever situation you find yourself in." (Where did he come up with that?!) So, "Gee, okay coach, I guess it will be okay this time."
So, we won, and the next day he drives me and another fellow down to USC and introduces us to Peter Dalen. He tells Peter, "This is my breastroker." Peter tells me, "Tell your father USC is interested in you."
This is strange, but I feel good about it. My father, later that evening, wants to know where USC is.
