age up dates

FINA will not be changing the December 31st age up date in the foreseeable future and as long as FINA maintains this standard for meters world records, I don’t see USMS changing to make us any more different than we already are. If you think about it, any solution is really just an arbitrary selection. Based on 12/31, the anniversary of your birth, or any other random date; at 11:59 PM on the magic date you are in one age group and 2 minutes later, poof, you are now in an age group 5 years older. Is it just or fair to every single swimmer? Fair, who knows; just, maybe; but it is consistent (sort of) and it does work. I just don't think it is fair that someone born on 12/31 can break a meters record, lets say at 49 and a few days, in the 50 year age group.This is just as fair as someone born on March 15, breaking a record in yards in the 45-49 age group at age 49, in a meet on March 14th, and then going to another meet the next day and breaking records in the 50-54 age group. No matter which date we use to determine a persons competition age there always be examples were swimmers will be at an advantage. So instead of calling it unfair, maybe we can look at these as opportunities to set goals. I know a lot of folks who set goals based on meets when they age up. And if you use this as an opportunity to set and achieve personal goals, then you have truly accomplished something. And isn’t this more important to you then someone else’s swim? I guess I am wondering if there is any scenario that seemingly makes it fairer for everyone. Fair in what regard? If it is only fair that you “compete” against people your age, then we would need to set up age groups by day, so that everyone born on, say, 9/12/1964 would only compete against other that share that birth day. And to be really fair, those who had the advantage of swimming in high school or college should be in a separate category, and those who have the advantage or training with coached programs should be in different groups. I’m sure there are other advantages that make competition unfair, but as long as we all abide by the runes of competition then at least we have a modicum of consistency. And while it’s nice to win blue ribbons and shiny medals, at least for me, the spirit of Masters Swimming is a lot bigger then who ages up when. Except for that day when I reach my 100th birthday (FINA or real) and assuming Paul Smith has retired by then, start kicking butts in the 100-104 age group.

FINA will not be changing the December 31st age up date in the foreseeable future and as long as FINA maintains this standard for meters world records, I don’t see USMS changing to make us any more different than we already are. If you think about it, any solution is really just an arbitrary selection. Based on 12/31, the anniversary of your birth, or any other random date; at 11:59 PM on the magic date you are in one age group and 2 minutes later, poof, you are now in an age group 5 years older. Is it just or fair to every single swimmer? Fair, who knows; just, maybe; but it is consistent (sort of) and it does work. I just don't think it is fair that someone born on 12/31 can break a meters record, lets say at 49 and a few days, in the 50 year age group.This is just as fair as someone born on March 15, breaking a record in yards in the 45-49 age group at age 49, in a meet on March 14th, and then going to another meet the next day and breaking records in the 50-54 age group. No matter which date we use to determine a persons competition age there always be examples were swimmers will be at an advantage. So instead of calling it unfair, maybe we can look at these as opportunities to set goals. I know a lot of folks who set goals based on meets when they age up. And if you use this as an opportunity to set and achieve personal goals, then you have truly accomplished something. And isn’t this more important to you then someone else’s swim? I guess I am wondering if there is any scenario that seemingly makes it fairer for everyone. Fair in what regard? If it is only fair that you “compete” against people your age, then we would need to set up age groups by day, so that everyone born on, say, 9/12/1964 would only compete against other that share that birth day. And to be really fair, those who had the advantage of swimming in high school or college should be in a separate category, and those who have the advantage or training with coached programs should be in different groups. I’m sure there are other advantages that make competition unfair, but as long as we all abide by the runes of competition then at least we have a modicum of consistency. And while it’s nice to win blue ribbons and shiny medals, at least for me, the spirit of Masters Swimming is a lot bigger then who ages up when. Except for that day when I reach my 100th birthday (FINA or real) and assuming Paul Smith has retired by then, start kicking butts in the 100-104 age group.