Over 18?

How would it help with the transition? Too many young adults quit the sport, because they didn't make the "big" show. If they had an alternative experience, perhaps a swim-for-fitness community, they would keep swimming. Not only that, but speaking from personal experience, most of my role-models quit, never to swim again. In Masters it's different, you all inspire me on a regular basis, and that really helps.

Master's is looked upon as a swim-for-fitness community. I don't see why competition should be required. One aspect of master's swimming that I enjoy and a lot of people that I know enjoy is the fact that we can swim together w/o any requirements put upon us, other than to pay our dues, be respectful to others at practice and have fun. Also, not being told that I must compete is a big draw for myself and others. I wouldn't like the idea of belong to a group if I was required "to compete" Not everyone wants to get up and race. To those that do, awesome but for those that don't and just want to swim with a group, then awesome for them as well.

From the way I interpret the original post, it sounds like they want high caliber swimmers (such as those who would qualify for an Olympic team) to do a masters meet once per year. However, on that same note, you'd also require current masters swimmers to do a meet once a year. My team has a very low rate of swimmers who compete at all (maybe 10%), and doing this would probably reduce the number of swimmers on the team. We've hashed through on various other threads why swimmers don't compete, but making it a requirement would just reduce the ranks of masters swimming. I think having Olmpians do a few exhibition USMS Meets etc might help promote the masters scene...forcing anyone to do anything isn't good though.

That's just it though, they need a break because of how intense age-group swimming can be. I'm not talking about forcing non-swimmers to race, or telling swimmers who already quit to race masters. I'm talking about adding an element to the swimmers who are already doing the program. This would hopefully help them to see another option as they age. I quit for 4 years from 1998-2002, and was confused. I loved swimming, but I hated the cost, emotionally and financially. If only I knew about masters, in terms of the positive outlook on swimming as an adult, but that wasn't my experience, because no-one was promoting this within the club system. Even the high-performance coaches may see an added benefit for this, because if an athlete does feel burnt-out, perhaps a few years in a relaxed atmposphere may be the solution. All I know is when I was 18 I could have really used a few positive role-models that showed me an alternative. What you might be forgetting from that time.....how you don't want adults, particularily your parents telling you what to do. There certainly is confusion, but there is also a strong desire to figure that confusion out all by themselves. I think since my son is such a strong athlete, having him jump into a 50 fly for fun, at a small little meet would be better than going to practice with a bunch of "old" people, which would include his Mom. He told me he loved the meets, it was getting into town for all the practices, and missing out being with his friends(no swimming at our HS, so no swimming friends within the HS), got to be a grunge.

We had 8 men go :49 or faster this year in the 100 free LCM That's pretty good considering our population is 1/10th the size, and we all live in igloo's, we actually have to melt the ice, just to swim. We learn how to swim from watching our national bird, the penguin. Joking aside, our coaches are starting to realize a better way to train. The girl swimmers for the U.S. could beat the guy swimmers from the Canadian Trials.

I'm sure if we had of had LZR suits for our trials they would have gone 47s like everyone else... ;)

What you might be forgetting from that time.....how you don't want adults, particularily your parents telling you what to do. There certainly is confusion, but there is also a strong desire to figure that confusion out all by themselves. I think since my son is such a strong athlete, having him jump into a 50 fly for fun, at a small little meet would be better than going to practice with a bunch of "old" people, which would include his Mom. He told me he loved the meets, it was getting into town for all the practices, and missing out being with his friends(no swimming at our HS, so no swimming friends within the HS), got to be a grunge. Dorothy, from what you describe I am sure he'll be back at some point to USMS, if not before then definitely when the lbs build up a little and injuries start to reduce the amount of intesity of other sports. He doesn't have to swim with you. He can train alone on his schedule and get decent results.

There are a lot of Canadians on this board and you're all weird :canada:. As a matter of fact, we're all weird (you and us). snip .............. Keep your socialized medicine, Celine Dions You've got her in Vegas; YOU keep her. Also, the girl swimmers for the U.S. could beat the guy swimmers from the Canadian Trials. Numbers and names, please. (and I'm not saying you might not be right.) Also note, I am married to a Canadian, That might explain your negative feelings...............:) I am being sarcastic, Me too Cheers

It's much easier compared to racing heats and finals in the 50, 100, 200, 400 free, 100, 200 back, 100 fly, 200 IM and all the relays, 20+ times a year, (not to mention the training) just so the club I paid could score more points on the National charts. This was required, just to be on the team. So many young swimmers quit, and they equate "swimming" with that kind of program, they lose interest quickly... Masters is better, but how would they know if they've never been part of this environment. My 20 year old got so burned out, that he left the pool at 17, and has not shown interest in getting back to it yet. If I tried to push him, it would make it worse. Lately, he has been doing a lot of running and biking, and I noticed his swim equipment was taken to his room, so he is thinking about something. I may see if he wants to jump in and swim some 50's this winter at Nadine's meet, he might be ready by January. But, if I push him to do it, he would go the other way. He needs to find it by himself, not be forced. My daughter is completely laid back and non-competive in nature. She is only 15, but I think she will love masters, and can be pushed to try it at 18. I think people need to find these things on their own time, and it depends on their personality. If they were the intense type that pushed themselves hard, they just may need a break.

It's much easier compared to racing heats and finals in the 50, 100, 200, 400 free, 100, 200 back, 100 fly, 200 IM and all the relays, 20+ times a year, (not to mention the training) just so the club I paid could score more points on the National charts. This was required, just to be on the team. All right, so it's easier for you. What about the other 99.9% of USMS swimming? Plus, as John notes, people that competed when young often need a nice long break before they can even stomach getting back in the pool for a meet.