Is it my imagination or is the smarter gender under represented in masters swimming. I would like to get some real numbers to confirm my observations. Forumites like Rick Osterberg, can you give some data about the ratio of men to women at USMS meets? Perhaps we could break it down by age group (I can hear the CPUs humming at Chris Stevenson's place all the way from up here in Mass).
If women are under represented, then I would like to discuss the causes of the imbalance and begin to work on improving the ratio.
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Is it my imagination or is the smarter gender under represented in masters swimming. I would like to get some real numbers to confirm my observations. Forumites like Rick Osterberg, can you give some data about the ratio of men to women at USMS meets? Perhaps we could break it down by age group (I can hear the CPUs humming at Chris Stevenson's place all the way from up here in Mass).
If women are under represented, then I would like to discuss the causes of the imbalance and begin to work on improving the ratio.
It depends what you mean by "under-represented". At most masters meets that I attend, there are typically more men, but not dramatically so. Why? Good question.
However, when I look at Nationals, etc and I look at the number of male "re-treads" in their 30s, 40s and 50s (loosely classified as former National/NCAA-level competitors), it seems they dramatically outnumber the female re-treads. Why? Good question.
I think it is because the women are generally busy raising the family, while the men are off drinking, racing and carousing with their old buddies. Just my :2cents:.
Having said that, it appears that I have been able to convince my wife - a female re-tread - to resume competition, including Indy this summer. So I have done my small part...:cheerleader:
Is it my imagination or is the smarter gender under represented in masters swimming. I would like to get some real numbers to confirm my observations. Forumites like Rick Osterberg, can you give some data about the ratio of men to women at USMS meets? Perhaps we could break it down by age group (I can hear the CPUs humming at Chris Stevenson's place all the way from up here in Mass).
If women are under represented, then I would like to discuss the causes of the imbalance and begin to work on improving the ratio.
It depends what you mean by "under-represented". At most masters meets that I attend, there are typically more men, but not dramatically so. Why? Good question.
However, when I look at Nationals, etc and I look at the number of male "re-treads" in their 30s, 40s and 50s (loosely classified as former National/NCAA-level competitors), it seems they dramatically outnumber the female re-treads. Why? Good question.
I think it is because the women are generally busy raising the family, while the men are off drinking, racing and carousing with their old buddies. Just my :2cents:.
Having said that, it appears that I have been able to convince my wife - a female re-tread - to resume competition, including Indy this summer. So I have done my small part...:cheerleader:
