2008 Santa Clara International Invitational May 15 - 18

All of this brings up the age old (no pun intended) discussion. What is a "Masters Swimmer"? Is it someone over the age of 18? Is it someone who has a USMS card? Is it someone who swims in 1 meet their whole life and sets all kinds of records? Is it someone who is over the age of 35? My OPINION is that a Masters Swimmer is someone who trains and competes, if they so choose, in USMS but has a life with job, family, etc. They swim for fun, conditioning and good old fashioned competition. If you looked at USMS nationals this year, for the most part it was the true meaning of Masters Swimming. I am sure Aaron, Neil, Brendan, Ian, etc. could have hopped in and swam amazingly well setting all kinds of records. What Josh Davis, Jeff Commings, Mike Ross, and the Smiths did as well as Susan VDL and many others on the women's side is what top level masters swimming is about. Just a few thoughts to ponder. Have at it...

All of this brings up the age old (no pun intended) discussion. What is a "Masters Swimmer"? Is it someone over the age of 18? Is it someone who has a USMS card? Is it someone who swims in 1 meet their whole life and sets all kinds of records? Is it someone who is over the age of 35? My OPINION is that a Masters Swimmer is someone who trains and competes, if they so choose, in USMS but has a life with job, family, etc. They swim for fun, conditioning and good old fashioned competition. If you looked at USMS nationals this year, for the most part it was the true meaning of Masters Swimming. I am sure Aaron, Neil, Brendan, Ian, etc. could have hopped in and swam amazingly well setting all kinds of records. What Josh Davis, Jeff Commings, Mike Ross, and the Smiths did as well as Susan VDL and many others on the women's side is what top level masters swimming is about. Just a few thoughts to ponder. Have at it...