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.)
Flawed thread title - this is not hardcore swimming, this is Masters swimming. Attend any Masters meet and you'll see that the oldest competitors get the biggest cheers. As it should be.
And now, by popular demand, a dancing banana... :banana:
Now, if I went to a meet, introduced myself and was snubbed? That would be a different story and cause for stomping of feet.
Can't even imagine this happening! One reason meets are so fun is the atmosphere is one of total support and encouragement no matter the level of your swimming ability.
Mookie,
Chill pill not needed. lol. I was simply taking the opposite view in my post and pointing out the absurdities of certain statements. However, I still don't really see how it can be all that "frustrating" to wade through the competition-related threads -- you can simply avoid them. I find it pretty easy to avoid threads I'm uninterested in -- they usually have words like "distance free" or "postal swims" or "how to pace a 200 free". And if there's simply too many such threads, maybe a different forum is more up your alley?
As for the "alleged "crankiness" of certain posts, much of this either: is somewhat feigned (Geek), is pure baiting (SwimStud), is pure theater (Geek again), is intended to provoke a good debate (Paul Smith), reflects the analytical nature of the poster (Geek again), reflects the poster's absolute inability to suffer fools (Kurt Dickson), reflects the poster's love of a good old fashioned row (Geek again). Take it all with a grain of salt.
Michelle, I can give you some tips to help with that Paul Smith problem ...
My other favorites!
1. Smith by Marriage
2. Glider
3. PWBrundage ties with
3. Dolphin 2
Is Dolphin 2 a boy or girl?
I am still afraid of Paul Smith.
Now, if we're talking about rankings, I need to raise my "forum game!" :)
Of course, I doubt I could ever match the wit of "Smith by Marriage" so I'll happily cede that spot.
I am still afraid of Paul Smith.
And here I thought you were rushing to the blocks for an event when we saw each other on deck at the ASU meet and you turned tail and ran!
Come on now...I invited you to Four Peaks (you snubbed me), added you to my email newsletter even though your an "outsider" (yes it took your sister reminding me 6x) and have never thrown anything at you...what's to be afraid of?
Hi sftom,
When I joined up here I felt like an outsider for a while...but only because I was new (duh), so of course I didn't know the relationships or personalities who post here. It was like walking into a party where I didn't know anyone. I hung out by the wall for a while and am now at least bumping into people.
I no longer compete, train with a Masters team, don't care about tech suits, and am pretty much fine with noodlers, so I'm not really part of the Masters community, per se. Since that is my choice and circumstance, it is fine with me. It doesn't mean I don't have anything to offer or gain from this board.
Now, if I went to a meet, introduced myself and was snubbed? That would be a different story and cause for stomping of feet. However, I don't think that would happen.
Still, I enjoy the banter--and loved seeing The Fortress swim (Oh, to look that smooth again!)--even though I've never met any of these people, nor, realistically, will I.
So post when you have something to add. It may not always be commented on--okay, rarely be commented on--but it doesn't mean someone won't find it useful.
You could always write a magazine yourself. However, I doubt people will actually buy it. That's usually the problem. Then again, find some hot models and it could work.
Why would you say something like that?
Anyway, my hope is that our magazine will more accurately reflect the 90% of the people who are already 'buying' it.
For me I was looking for advice as a new swimmer. I dove right in and posted and the help I got was enormous. This forum is a great tool. There are clearly people who know each other and sometimes they go back and forth, bla bla bla, whatever. But these "clicky" people chime right in when asked and be assured you've got olympic caliber coaching and advice at your fingertips here. I am not self conscious of the fact that I am way slower. The people on this forum want nothing more than to see people improve. Because I am largely on my own with my training, I find it very motivational that there are people out there eating and breathing this stuff. I think that's pretty cool.
