Over 18?

Wow, perhaps a little more subtle on the delivery next time?!?! No point in being subtle...that's his opinion... let him express it. I do agree with people that we should promote that people can compete in meets, if they want too but it should also be promoted that it is a great way to stay healthy without being forced to race. One day, maybe I will race again, but if I am forced too..no way.(..did enough of that in hs/age group/college)...then it would be a stupid idea.

As I am relatively young (24), and somewhat new to Master's swimming (1 year), most of my swim competition dates back to high school swimming and/or USA swimming age group competitions. One thing I don't understand is why there is not greater cooperation between the two organizations (USA Swim and USMS). Being in an area where the average time to get to an actual USMS/SPMA swim meet is two hours away, I only get to compete once or twice a year at best. There are at least 10 age group meets that take place within 30-45 minutes per year. In general, my observation is that unless you are super fast (Olympic or Senior National Q) - you just look out of place trying to swim at a USA swimming age group meet over the age of 18.

Whoa people... All swimmers in the amateur circuit are required to race, that is the cost of participation as an age-grouper. That's why they should experience the masters concept. What is one more meet? A meet that shows these young athletes another option?

Perhaps you could recast that to "Masters should allow 18+yo age group swimmers to compete in one Masters meet each year"?

Whoa people... All swimmers in the amateur circuit are required to race, that is the cost of participation as an age-grouper. That's why they should experience the masters concept. What is one more meet? A meet that shows these young athletes another option? Maybe they get to the point of being tired of competing and want to do other things with their lives? How many of us stepped away from swimming at somepoint to do other things? I would bet a lot of us did, then we came back to it after a break. The idea to "require" competition in master's is stupid. The idea to "recommed" is much better. It gives the person the idea that he or she is finally getting to decide if they want to go to a competition. If it is recommended, I would venture some people will give it a try because they want to see what a master's meet is all about...some will become hooked and some will want to do other things. It may sound like just "one more meet" but if age groupers swim and compete as much as teams around here do, then the kid's need a break too. Besides, they have enough things they are required to do and going to a swim meet "to experience masters" won't be something they are thrilled about anyway.

That's a great way to attract more people to masters swimming - put performance pressure on them! You just don't get it, JM - some swimmers don't want to compete, see it as daunting, see it as nothing other than a waste of a Sunday morning. Some people use swimming to workout and don't care what the clock says. Just because it means something to you, doesn't mean it needs to be important for everyone.

Really? I didn't know coaches train amateur athletes without the racing component. Either way, this seems to be taken out of context, I'm just saying it would be good if more swimmers thought of masters as a viable option. Not just for the competitive element. Um, since when? Required to race? Nope, definately not REQUIRED. Encouraged? Yes. Required? Not in our area.

As I am relatively young (24), and somewhat new to Master's swimming (1 year), most of my swim competition dates back to high school swimming and/or USA swimming age group competitions. One thing I don't understand is why there is not greater cooperation between the two organizations (USA Swim and USMS). Being in an area where the average time to get to an actual USMS/SPMA swim meet is two hours away, I only get to compete once or twice a year at best. There are at least 10 age group meets that take place within 30-45 minutes per year. In general, my observation is that unless you are super fast (Olympic or Senior National Q) - you just look out of place trying to swim at a USA swimming age group meet over the age of 18. Not entirely accurate, unless you will only swim at meets with QTs and prelim/finals formats. True, not many masters show up at USA meets. But last time I did, I had fun, didn't get clobbered and I'm way older than you. The meet I'm swimming in this weekend is masters sanctioned. Personally, I vastly prefer masters meets for the social aspect, but there aren't nearly as many masters meets. If just depends on how much you want to race and how important convenience is to you. For me, convenience and timing are everything or very nearly. Jonathan: It's easy for you to say there's no pressure at a masters meet. But for those who didn't swim competitively as youths, it can still be stressful. Masters meets are inclusive and there's a lot of support, but still, many hold little interest for fitness swimmers or busy people with other priorities. And, for newbies and relative newbies, just getting up on a block and worrying about your goggles and turns can cause some anxiety. I had goggles issues for a year, and am still start impaired. It's not as easy as you imply. :P

I agree. However, diving in at a huge meet like the NEM LMSC SCY. for 200 BR and having your goggles fill with water really cures your fears.:lmao: At least you didn't DQ when your goggles landed at the neck and you had no spare contacts. At that point, it was either humiliation or driving home. I opted to drive home. Haven't swum the 200 IM since!

I agree. However, Diving in at a huge meet like the NEM LMSC SCY. for 200 BR and having your goggles fill with water really cures your fears.:lmao: Senior year of college, conference championships, 1650 free, championship final, my goggles filled with water on the dive. I couldn't see much so I just swam my own race. It turned out ok.