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.)
Perhaps a sticky thread dedicated to "outsiders" or fitness swimmers, where talk of competition and inside jokes are discouraged, would be a good idea.
I don't know that you'll convince moderators to make it "sticky," but other than that: what is stopping you? Go for it.
I see a thread has already started. There are a number of people here with coaching experience (I'm not one of them, other than self-coaching). Share your experiences, ask a question, state what it is you would prefer to see in "Swimmer" and on the web site. I can guarantee people are listening. I still don't know what you're looking for, exactly, just that you aren't completely happy with what you're getting.
Despite the in-jokes you decry, I seriously doubt you'll find any regular poster belittling someone else based on their swimming ability.
Perhaps a sticky thread dedicated to "outsiders" or fitness swimmers, where talk of competition and inside jokes are discouraged, would be a good idea.
I don't know that you'll convince moderators to make it "sticky," but other than that: what is stopping you? Go for it.
I see a thread has already started. There are a number of people here with coaching experience (I'm not one of them, other than self-coaching). Share your experiences, ask a question, state what it is you would prefer to see in "Swimmer" and on the web site. I can guarantee people are listening. I still don't know what you're looking for, exactly, just that you aren't completely happy with what you're getting.
Despite the in-jokes you decry, I seriously doubt you'll find any regular poster belittling someone else based on their swimming ability.
