www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../21345.asp
I can't believe that people would fathom wearing tech suits at Summer League Meets. As a product of the Delaware County Summer League system, I wouldn't put anything pass these parents. They get catty, jealous, and downright nasty. The kids would too. There are countless times that competitors called me an A***ole without even speaking one word to me. WTH!!!!
I commend my local paper for banning tech suits at their annual Elite Meet. Then again, I have worn paper suits at my Summer League Championships and I am now embarrassed to say that I did taper for a Summer League Championships one year when I was 15(and I didn't really care about JOs that year since I moved into the Senior age group). Of course, after I did, other people in my league starting shaving and tapering for my League Champs.
But it occurs to me that the attitude displayed here towards summer league is very similar to that of Craig Lord towards masters swimming, and which undoubtedly angered many forumites: it is only for fun, it isn't "serious," winning isn't important, people who want to win and buy a tech suit are somehow deranged, etc.
Just an observation, make of it what you will.
By the way: here in Richmond, although year-round swimmers generally take a very relaxed attitude towards summer meets, club rivalries can get a little intense, and the championship meet is pretty darn fast in the top heats.
I don't see many tech suits (aside from FS II tanks) at our summer league meets until the all star championship. Then, all the USA-S swimmers have tech suits. I think I saw a LZR in the 50 free last year.
I've been wondering about Chris' comment as well. Why is it that you should/can only be serious or compete seriously from say 15-30? Sure, that's when you're fastest perhaps, but why is that the only time winning is important? Other than that, it's "just" masters or just summer league or just rec sports or just for fun. Life, however, is not lived solely between these years. Isn't life now just as important as life was then? Shouldn't we be looking forward and not back? Why stop striving simply because you're an adult? Yeah, life is more complicated now, but that doesn't mean we are relegated to "just" status.
Tom, all around awards are given based on points scored. If you miss a meet, you likely won't get it. A lot of USA-S swimmers miss meets here because they're at a swim camp. Move on, boy! Don't be dwelling on that old stuff!
But it occurs to me that the attitude displayed here towards summer league is very similar to that of Craig Lord towards masters swimming, and which undoubtedly angered many forumites: it is only for fun, it isn't "serious," winning isn't important, people who want to win and buy a tech suit are somehow deranged, etc.
Just an observation, make of it what you will.
By the way: here in Richmond, although year-round swimmers generally take a very relaxed attitude towards summer meets, club rivalries can get a little intense, and the championship meet is pretty darn fast in the top heats.
I don't see many tech suits (aside from FS II tanks) at our summer league meets until the all star championship. Then, all the USA-S swimmers have tech suits. I think I saw a LZR in the 50 free last year.
I've been wondering about Chris' comment as well. Why is it that you should/can only be serious or compete seriously from say 15-30? Sure, that's when you're fastest perhaps, but why is that the only time winning is important? Other than that, it's "just" masters or just summer league or just rec sports or just for fun. Life, however, is not lived solely between these years. Isn't life now just as important as life was then? Shouldn't we be looking forward and not back? Why stop striving simply because you're an adult? Yeah, life is more complicated now, but that doesn't mean we are relegated to "just" status.
Tom, all around awards are given based on points scored. If you miss a meet, you likely won't get it. A lot of USA-S swimmers miss meets here because they're at a swim camp. Move on, boy! Don't be dwelling on that old stuff!
