"Dara Torres should be the face of United States Masters Swimming"
Brent Rutemiller, October issue Swimming World Magazine
"Of Course, Torres isn't on this trip alone. Aside from the support of Hoffman, her daughter and her coaches, Torres relies on a team. She has a nanny who tends to Tessa, a strength coach, and physical and massage therapists who work her like a piece of dough."
John Lohn, October Swimming World Magazine
With all due respect to Mr. Rutemillier & Mr. Lohn I would suggest that they spend a little more time around the people who not only compete in the meets of our sport but with the people who are the backbone as volunteers in the day to day running of it....Dara's only contribution has been making a few workouts early in her comeback, attending a couple of meets and signing autographs and collecting checks for clinics.
If you want a "face" of Masters Swimming look to Susan Von der Lippe who beat Dara as the first person over 40 to qualify for Trials....and she did it training with a masters team 3x a week...working par time, no nanny, no trainers....no PR person....that to me this is the core of what we are in my opinion.
How about Rob Copeland who somehow manages to run this entire organization, swim extremely well, post on our forum....all without a massage therapist and pilates instructor....again this is what Masters represents...to me.
Dara has done something remarkable for anyone her age... give her credit..but lets see if at some point she wants to time at one of our meets...or be on one of our committee's to help promote masters...without an appearance fee.
Parents
Former Member
I think it's also helpful for people who try out meets for the first time to report back here how it went. I know that listening to SwimStud's early meet experiences got me thinking as did Gerdick's pre-meet anxiety and post-meet happiness. I've talked with a couple of newbie's privately about giving it a whirl, under the rubric: if I can, anyone can.
I've always been a "Runner", don't know why; everyone just told me so since age 7. I became a "Triathlete" after many years and races when I did a Olympic Distance Tri and felt I'd earned it. I've done one marathon and do not consider myself a "Marathoner" I swim. I do not know when I will become a "Swimmer" or what that tripwire is.
The question is, how do you bring lap swimming to the common people. How do you make them want to be a "Swimmer"? I think Tri made it with Kona. The stories of the a dad pushing he's disabled son, the Sarah Reinhartson's story, Rudy Garcia, etc. The "Kona Show" is a tear jerker.
A thread here talked to a Downs Syndrome girl doing heroic things. Where is the media? Why isn't USMS showing the human aspect of what all you guyz do? You demi-gods that do to the National Championship (not just "Nats") all have real lives, families, and stories!
You want sexy? USMS needs to tell the stories that are buried in these threads! Teen girls with self-esteem. 80+ years beating National records. 15 mile swims. Its all where, but USMS isn't capitalizing on what swimming as a Master is all about.
Yes, half naked people sells photos, but human drama get's new members.
I'm a newby so I see it from outside. Am I that far off? Who is trying to promote swimming as a commercial enterprise? It should be USMS. Ironman took charge of Triathlon and that is its growth, the outcome was hugely positive for the sport(s)--for Geek.
I see a money maker for an insider that has vision. I'd do it but I have no credentials and the Army frowns on that so I have to wait 4 years. I'll be your CFO and build the business plan for free! To make millions of $, find something that pisses you off and fit it!
Sorry for my bloviating.
I think it's also helpful for people who try out meets for the first time to report back here how it went. I know that listening to SwimStud's early meet experiences got me thinking as did Gerdick's pre-meet anxiety and post-meet happiness. I've talked with a couple of newbie's privately about giving it a whirl, under the rubric: if I can, anyone can.
I've always been a "Runner", don't know why; everyone just told me so since age 7. I became a "Triathlete" after many years and races when I did a Olympic Distance Tri and felt I'd earned it. I've done one marathon and do not consider myself a "Marathoner" I swim. I do not know when I will become a "Swimmer" or what that tripwire is.
The question is, how do you bring lap swimming to the common people. How do you make them want to be a "Swimmer"? I think Tri made it with Kona. The stories of the a dad pushing he's disabled son, the Sarah Reinhartson's story, Rudy Garcia, etc. The "Kona Show" is a tear jerker.
A thread here talked to a Downs Syndrome girl doing heroic things. Where is the media? Why isn't USMS showing the human aspect of what all you guyz do? You demi-gods that do to the National Championship (not just "Nats") all have real lives, families, and stories!
You want sexy? USMS needs to tell the stories that are buried in these threads! Teen girls with self-esteem. 80+ years beating National records. 15 mile swims. Its all where, but USMS isn't capitalizing on what swimming as a Master is all about.
Yes, half naked people sells photos, but human drama get's new members.
I'm a newby so I see it from outside. Am I that far off? Who is trying to promote swimming as a commercial enterprise? It should be USMS. Ironman took charge of Triathlon and that is its growth, the outcome was hugely positive for the sport(s)--for Geek.
I see a money maker for an insider that has vision. I'd do it but I have no credentials and the Army frowns on that so I have to wait 4 years. I'll be your CFO and build the business plan for free! To make millions of $, find something that pisses you off and fit it!
Sorry for my bloviating.
