Over 18?

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. Dortothy, seek immediate help.. he may be thinking about a Triathlon! Seriuously though if he does tri's that awesome;he'll get back to the water in his own time.

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. Then ENCOURAGE them to come to a master's practice..not require a meet. Give them the chance to see what a master's practice is about w/o them being forced to have to go to another meet. I don't think you get it either...some of the people quit swimming simply because they don't want to do it anymore. It has nothing to do with making "the big show". Rather, it has to do with them wanting to do other things with their lives. Some find their way to masters swimming when they are ready but it has to be up to them.

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. :applaud: :notworthy: :mooning:

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. 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.

Part of the Masters Swimming Canada one year plan is to promote clubs holding time trials during practices, both informal timings and formal/official time trials. Hopefully the opportunity to participate within your club, during regular workout times, with the emphasis on getting a time versus "competing" will be at least a little less intimidating than regular competition...quote] Unfortunately, like everything else in Calgary, the clubs are over-subscribed. The only ones that don't have long waiting lists are the ones that meet at odd times, such as 10:00 a.m.. (Strangely enough, my employer wants me to be at my desk working at that time.) I tend to satisfy my competitive urges by surreptitiously "racing" other lap swimmers in the city pool. Hopefully I can find a class this fall where flip turns and diving are taught.

There are a lot of Canadians on this board and you're all weird :canada:. As a U.S. citizen, I don't understand any of your socialized or fascist ideas. Keep your socialized medicine, Celine Dions, and Avril Lavignes to yourselves. Also, the girl swimmers for the U.S. could beat the guy swimmers from the Canadian Trials. Also note, I am married to a Canadian, so spare me your bashing or flaming comments. Also, a note on the note above, I am being sarcastic, so once again, your angry comments will be ignored. Note to the aforementioned note, I hope the Americans on this board know what I'm saying because I don't.

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. Jonathan: It's easy for you to say there's no pressure at a masters meet.

Okay, here's a good example. Dara Torres. We have a public trading company established, where you can purchase a share of the Torres brand. It might have cost you $1 back in 1978. You watch her career, you invest more as time goes on. The company produces accesory products, the value goes up. Now at age 41, she is thought to have no chance at all, yet she defies the odds, you win. A Phelps-Lochte-Beard ticket might be really expensive right now, say $200 per share, but what will they do at the Olympics? Or, how many accessory products can the brand sell? It may have been better to invest $1-2 when the ticket was cheaper 10 years ago, either way, as a joe-public sport enthusiast you can decide where to spend your money, and share the dream. You have brought this up a few times, you should really elaborate on this idea so that people can either get on board or explain to you why it won't work. The whole vague/mystery approach doesn't work. Brands are generally only as valuable as their ability to generate revenue. Despite the .com boom people who invest money want a return on investment.

Actually, I listened to my parents, or rather my mother. She was of the opinion that if I didn't make money it wasn't worth doing. There was no way they were going to put another penny into my swimming. How could I argue, the year before they spent over $30,000 just so I could compete at an international level. So at 18 I was a wreck. The thing is, the year before at 17 I was the fastest in all history for the 100 free in my province for 15-17, #1 in Canada that year, and 9th in the World for 17 and under. Yet, I couldn't pay rent. So now I'm of the opinion that there should be age-group carding, and I'll spend the rest of my life working towards making that a reality. If you're top 8 in the country in 11-12,13-14, or 15-17 you should have financial support. What you might be forgetting from that time.....how you don't want adults, particularily your parents telling you what to do.

I am not even going to comment on this thread except our mosquitoes are bigger.