Yet...... another comment on "elitism" in masters swimming. This ongoing battle of two imaginary groups....... the selfish former elite swimmers and the non elite counter parts.
Yes..... The Evil Smith and I have taken great pleasure throughout the last decade trying to secretly split USMS into these two groups. Our efforts to perpetuate this divide and fuel our intolerance for "learners" is now being undermined..... :-)
One Big Happy Family: Marcinkowski’s Masters
reachforthewall.com/.../
"Butcher, Zerkle and others say numbers have soared because Marcinkowski has tried to strip the elitism from masters swimming, often thought to be populated with former competitive stars who have little tolerance for learners."
I think this is a very valid point for discussion. It's sometimes hard for us in our little town to recruit new members because they will say they are not good enough. We have a wide variety of abilities in our little team and once we get them to a practice or two, they see there is a place for them. The problem is getting them to come the first time. Some still won't go to meets, but, again, get them to one meet, swim a few relays, and they are hooked.
Is it marketing in general, or just individual situations?
I think this is a very valid point for discussion. It's sometimes hard for us in our little town to recruit new members because they will say they are not good enough. We have a wide variety of abilities in our little team and once we get them to a practice or two, they see there is a place for them. The problem is getting them to come the first time. Some still won't go to meets, but, again, get them to one meet, swim a few relays, and they are hooked.
Is it marketing in general, or just individual situations?
