As an "outsider" to the world of "hardcore" swimming ...
Former Member
I swim a lot and really enjoy it. It's something I've done all of my life, growing up in Southern California, and it's my main form of exercise. I'm good at it, but I do it primarily for health and enjoyment.
I've noticed from lurking around this board for several years that there seems to be a very self-congratulatory, cliquish tone to many threads and posts. It seems like it's often a small group of people who post relentlessly, as if they are engaged in some sort of private conversation where they're trying to outdo each other.
Maybe I'm the only one who feels that way. Maybe that's part and parcel of the world of "hardcore" competitive swimmers. Or maybe it's because there wouldn't be anything else to talk about, unless there weren't a constant focus on who's the "best" at this or that.
A race is something that happens once in a while, whereas a lifetime of swimming lasts, well, a lifetime. Yes, it's great to break a certain time in a certain race, but it's also great to have the self-discpline to keep at a daily swimming program and work on improving one's technique and endurance. Both are valid, and, to my mind, neither is more worthy of praise than the other.
Jim Thornton, if I recall correctly, noted a while ago that there were a lot of people lurking around the board and not really participating. If that is the case, I would propose that may be due to the general off-putting tone of things on here. (I won't give examples at this point, although I could.)
From the USMS website:
Do I have to compete?
Everyone has his or her own reason for belonging - health, fitness, camaraderie, fun, the thrill of competition, travel and coaching are but a few.
About 30% of Masters swimmers compete in swimming meets on a regular basis. For those who are serious competitors, there are an incredible number of opportunities to test your skill and conditioning. Short Course (25 yard and 25 meter) and Long Course (50 meter) pool meets, lake and ocean open water swims, postal meets, special events and international championships are all part of an ambitious program of Masters swimming.
OK, it's 30%, not 10%. My memory ain't what it used to be.
My point was meant as a helping hand to sftom. Most of us are here for fitness, and the competition nature of most of the posts shouldn't dissuade him. Yes, it can be frustrating to wade through the competition stuff to get to the fitness stuff, but I never suggested that anybody should change what they are posting. Take a chill pill, Fortress. Forums are what they are, and a person can take them or leave them. I enjoy the open discussion and varying views. Some people take a differing view as a personal attack, and that is not correct, and certainly not what I meant.
Looking at SWIMMER magazine, excluding advertisements, the recent issue had 15 pages of what I considered 'competition' articles, including the 'From the editor'. There were about ten pages of fitness and noncompetition articles, including the five pages of 'Butterfly Checkup'. That's 60% of the magazine focused on 30% of the readers.
From the USMS website:
Do I have to compete?
Everyone has his or her own reason for belonging - health, fitness, camaraderie, fun, the thrill of competition, travel and coaching are but a few.
About 30% of Masters swimmers compete in swimming meets on a regular basis. For those who are serious competitors, there are an incredible number of opportunities to test your skill and conditioning. Short Course (25 yard and 25 meter) and Long Course (50 meter) pool meets, lake and ocean open water swims, postal meets, special events and international championships are all part of an ambitious program of Masters swimming.
OK, it's 30%, not 10%. My memory ain't what it used to be.
My point was meant as a helping hand to sftom. Most of us are here for fitness, and the competition nature of most of the posts shouldn't dissuade him. Yes, it can be frustrating to wade through the competition stuff to get to the fitness stuff, but I never suggested that anybody should change what they are posting. Take a chill pill, Fortress. Forums are what they are, and a person can take them or leave them. I enjoy the open discussion and varying views. Some people take a differing view as a personal attack, and that is not correct, and certainly not what I meant.
Looking at SWIMMER magazine, excluding advertisements, the recent issue had 15 pages of what I considered 'competition' articles, including the 'From the editor'. There were about ten pages of fitness and noncompetition articles, including the five pages of 'Butterfly Checkup'. That's 60% of the magazine focused on 30% of the readers.
