All amateur swimmers 18 and over should be required to swim at least one masters meet per year. This would help with the transition into adult life, and really show the younger generation the value of masters swimming. Adults who continue to love the sport, that's a great networking tool and a positive way to stay involved with people of similar interests.
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.
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.
