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.)
Parents
Former Member
Do any of you who have responded to my original inquiry feel any sense of obligation to the organization at large, and do you think the content you add here furthers the purposes of USMS?
Absolutely! I am not going to name them but several folks here came for advice and now compete, and yuck like the best of the cliquees.
The way I understand the goal, USMS just wants people to swim for life...fitness, competing or whatever you find in between. Don't have to go to nats. Want to go for fun and come last in your age group for a 50...you can do it. The door is open. So I think USMS want all of us. Yucksters, fitness swimmers and turnips.
Your perception of exclusion seems to be that you're not welcome, but that's probably because you're not a nice person and shunning happens a lot to you...oh well, you reap what you sow.
If you have an opinion that differs from many, yeah you'll get some loud responses but unless you get nasty they'll be cordial.
So why are you here?
Workout advice? forums.usms.org/forumdisplay.php
Open Water? forums.usms.org/forumdisplay.php
Got a vison for where USMS should go ?forums.usms.org/forumdisplay.php
(this has YOU stamped all over it!)
Are, Need or want to become a Coach? forums.usms.org/forumdisplay.php
OK so please, find the cliquish yucksters in those sections and report back.
I'll ask again though, so please, tell us, why are you here, and do you think Soccer is a big sport in the USA?
Do any of you who have responded to my original inquiry feel any sense of obligation to the organization at large, and do you think the content you add here furthers the purposes of USMS?
Absolutely! I am not going to name them but several folks here came for advice and now compete, and yuck like the best of the cliquees.
The way I understand the goal, USMS just wants people to swim for life...fitness, competing or whatever you find in between. Don't have to go to nats. Want to go for fun and come last in your age group for a 50...you can do it. The door is open. So I think USMS want all of us. Yucksters, fitness swimmers and turnips.
Your perception of exclusion seems to be that you're not welcome, but that's probably because you're not a nice person and shunning happens a lot to you...oh well, you reap what you sow.
If you have an opinion that differs from many, yeah you'll get some loud responses but unless you get nasty they'll be cordial.
So why are you here?
Workout advice? forums.usms.org/forumdisplay.php
Open Water? forums.usms.org/forumdisplay.php
Got a vison for where USMS should go ?forums.usms.org/forumdisplay.php
(this has YOU stamped all over it!)
Are, Need or want to become a Coach? forums.usms.org/forumdisplay.php
OK so please, find the cliquish yucksters in those sections and report back.
I'll ask again though, so please, tell us, why are you here, and do you think Soccer is a big sport in the USA?
