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 swam for Starlit for one spring/summer, towards the end of Holger's tenure. My parents were living in the area briefly and Andy Wren convinced me to give it a try. Liked the swimming (despite three-a-days for a little while) but have the same memories about the pool. I remember swimming with tadpoles in the water.
It was also my first exposure to masters swimming (this was 1983, I think). I was hired to "coach" which was really lifeguard duty because all those "old" swimmers knew what they wanted to do and didn't want any coaching from me. Definitely on the other side of the fence now!
The DC area also treated me to the most miserably hot and humid summer I have ever experienced (and I lived in Florida for about 6 years).
Andy Wren....that name rings a bell.
I remember those summers up there as well. I managed/lifeguarded/coached/taught lessons at a local pool in Annandale for 7 summers. Some of those days really stuck on ya! I agree it seemed hotter than when I lived in Melborne, FL.
I swam for Starlit for one spring/summer, towards the end of Holger's tenure. My parents were living in the area briefly and Andy Wren convinced me to give it a try. Liked the swimming (despite three-a-days for a little while) but have the same memories about the pool. I remember swimming with tadpoles in the water.
It was also my first exposure to masters swimming (this was 1983, I think). I was hired to "coach" which was really lifeguard duty because all those "old" swimmers knew what they wanted to do and didn't want any coaching from me. Definitely on the other side of the fence now!
The DC area also treated me to the most miserably hot and humid summer I have ever experienced (and I lived in Florida for about 6 years).
Andy Wren....that name rings a bell.
I remember those summers up there as well. I managed/lifeguarded/coached/taught lessons at a local pool in Annandale for 7 summers. Some of those days really stuck on ya! I agree it seemed hotter than when I lived in Melborne, FL.
