Over 18?

Thanks but no thanks. There are already enough "ringers" at the 18-24 and 25-29 levels. While some do make it to things like Trials, at least most of these guys swim USMS as their primary means of training and competition (aka Doak, Liscinski, etc.). Less than 20% of USMS' membership does a meet in a year. Most folks that join my team are just looking for an awesome way to get some exercise and have no interest in competing. If a former college swimmer has joined, a common reason for not competing is because they will inevitably compare their times from college and be pissed off when they're so far off. It would be nice to get more folks at meets, but a requirement at the national level sounds facist. It is up to the membership, facilities and individual clubs to find new and innovative ways of a) recruiting new members and b) encouraging their membership to participate in events.

The idea may seem silly, but look at the great discussion it has drawn out. Sometimes we need a good post to keep us thinking about why we do what we do.

Really stupid idea. Wow, perhaps a little more subtle on the delivery next time?!?!

Really stupid idea. It does sound fascist. I agree, fascist. Adding yet another requirement to adulthood?! Takes all the fun out of it if you HAVE to do it. Meanwhile, I'm swimming at a USA meet this weekend with my kid for fun! :oldman: No one made me do it; it's the lure of Muppet's pool.

On average, less than 2k attend SCY nationals each year, even less for LCM. Surely the other 41k of the 43k registered masters swimmers are finding meaningful experiences with their membership. I agree 100% with our thread poster on a personal level, but I disagree with the requirement of competition for the masses. Perhaps instead of "required", it be replaced with "recommended", and instead of a "meet", to include any USMS sanctioned event, whether it be the check off challenge, a meet, a fun-relay meet, a clinic, open water, a social....or getting involved at the administrative level. For those of you who have never attended convention, IT IS A BLAST!! And you will gain such an appreciation of what it takes to run usms. For those joining masters at an early point in their careers, this is even better experience. You can put it on your resume. Start with your LMSC, and get an officer position. It's a starter board position! Do the registrar function and then you set the bar at only taking PAID board positions in the future!! I wish that I knew more about this when I first got out of college. It's fun, and it's great experience. My dream is to one day get on the board of a F500 company and actually get paid for it. Unfortunately, it's going to be hard to justify why they want a BANKRUTPCY trustee on their board - may send the wrong message!

Whoa people... All swimmers in the amateur circuit are required to race, that is the cost of participation as an age-grouper. Um, since when? Required to race? Nope, definately not REQUIRED. Encouraged? Yes. Required? Not in our area.

I would quit my masters team. I have raced enough. My times are embarrasingly slower (to me) than in the past, yet I have no desire to train as hard as I did in college. Swimming fast is nice, but I don't have the gumption or time to do it. I am quite content with my competition just to make it to practice. Spending what little free time I have at a swimming meet will not happen in the forseeable future. I salute those who do compete.

My goal is to keep coming back--that is, to the pool. To swim for fitness. I have joined USMS, but for the challenges, not the competition. Been there, done that, don't need to do it again.

Really stupid idea. It does sound fascist.

Thanks but no thanks. Liscinski . Are you talking about Mark?? We were teammates at American. He was a freshman and I was a senior. You are right...he is super fast and really nice guy.