Women in Masters Swimming

I can only speak to my own experience as a masters coach and swimmer. Until I started coaching, I was not very aware of the low numbers or smaller percentage of women in the masters swim workouts. The swimmers were just lane mates and training partners. I was looking for compatible athletes for pacing and fitness male or female. But as a new coach, it became clear to me that female athletes (generally - not exclusively) need a coach who can not only challenge them, but communicate, inspire, and encourage. It goes as well for some male athletes. Especially as they start up in a program or return from time off. But generally, male athletes are self-motivated or motivated by "trash-talk" among each other which is cool and it works. Once a swimmer is set with lane mates or friends on the team, this responsibility becomes an effort shared between coach and the team of athletes. I like to call it a team culture. Some masters clubs have it and some do not. Coaches who do not understand the concept of a great team culture (GTC) are probably impatient, burned out, not willing to spend minutes on deck outside the published workout times, have an agenda outside of building a great masters swim club. Sometimes it is one coach within a team of coaches who is very good at this type of team building. This can work, but the team of coaches must actively communicate with each other regularly. If your club is missing this type of coach, either find one and hire her/him right away - or create a group of swimmers within the team who can provide this type of consistent support. Clubs grow and thrive with a great team culture. The club does not have to be large to have a GTC. Female swimmers love a GTC - and a female coach on the coaching team can help balance and create a more welcoming atmosphere for them. Ahelee P.S. This post has nothing to do with my own personal quest for all clubs to have a GTC! :)

Good point ourswimmer, but I just feel like I don't see very many women swimmers with whom I went to college coming back into the sport and I thought those numbers were more equitable. Perhaps that belief is wrong. That's my anecdotal experience, as well. What strikes me as odd, though, is that when I go to our gym, the number of women workout in almost every class, on every piece of equipment (save free weights), etc. seems to be (again, my perceptio) skewed towards women. Also, it seems that women have no problem racing/being competitive (as was mentioned before) in running and triathlons.

That's my anecdotal experience, as well. What strikes me as odd, though, is that when I go to our gym, the number of women workout in almost every class, on every piece of equipment (save free weights), etc. seems to be (again, my perceptio) skewed towards women. Also, it seems that women have no problem racing/being competitive (as was mentioned before) in running and triathlons. I just recently began coaching (swim only) a women's triathlon team in my area that is 100+ strong. Very few of them actually swim on a masters swim club. So obviously, women on a quest to get fit are out there. The comaraderie on this team is unbelievable to see... even for me. The coach is incredibly special and she drives it. I love and encourage this kind of thing within my own male/female masters swim club. But what happens among the women in these groups and at the all-women triathlon & running races is unique. Working with a team of coaches who share this great team culture philosophy is rewarding beyond measure for myself - and the athletes as well.

Some data points from the New England SCY Champs over the past years: 2009: 380 women, 478 men 2008: 350 women, 412 men 2007: 393 women, 454 men 2006: 320 women, 387 men 2005: 336 women, 432 men 2004: 267 women, 354 men 2003: 315 women, 411 men 2002: 294 women, 381 men 2001: 233 women, 358 men -Rick

The linear fit for that is about: men = 0.75 women + 165 http://tinyurl.com/o5fmfn -Rick

The linear fit for that is about: men = 0.75 women + 165 So what you are saying is that, except for a minor offset -- blubber, I suppose -- a man is really worth about three-quarters of a woman. Sounds about right...

So what you are saying is that, except for a minor offset -- blubber, I suppose -- a man is really worth about three-quarters of a woman. Sounds about right... Alternatively, it takes over two women to equal one man. I didn't say that, yes I did, I don't mean it, I live with all women.

If women are under represented, then I would like to discuss the causes of the imbalance ... Mommy guilt.

I would agree with Fort, living with a Fort-esque person myself. And, I think men don't suffer with the guilt like the women do, it's certainly no problem for me to abandon my family without remorse.

It's certainly no problem for me to abandon my family without remorse. I'm getting better at this as I get older and the children become more ungrateful and selfish.