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."
Parents
Former Member
Tone is easily misinterpreted in writing.
Maybe. But it was abundantly clear that they were pimping their IronMan triathletes and serious swimmers. I didn't get any "all levels welcome".
Again. I'm just giving my impression, which was confirmed in the article. The coach said that they had that reputation in the area. Given what I saw on the website 5 years ago, it doesn't surprise me.
With the exception of one club, I've never had any coach discourage me from dropping in during my travels. Most have been very welcoming.
I've never had a problem when traveling either. That's why it just struck me the way it was worded.
The only problem I've had w/ drop-in was when I had a shoulder injury and the doc said I should only swim 2x/month. I had stopped swimming entirely a few months b4 so I stopped paying dues during the injury. When I approached my local club about it, they refused b/c they have a zero tolerance for drop-ins. Not even for injuries.
I was stunned.
So I found another team w/ a nice coach (Brian Stack) and swam w/ them. I supported the team w/ about $3,000 in dues over 5 years.
Tone is easily misinterpreted in writing.
Maybe. But it was abundantly clear that they were pimping their IronMan triathletes and serious swimmers. I didn't get any "all levels welcome".
Again. I'm just giving my impression, which was confirmed in the article. The coach said that they had that reputation in the area. Given what I saw on the website 5 years ago, it doesn't surprise me.
With the exception of one club, I've never had any coach discourage me from dropping in during my travels. Most have been very welcoming.
I've never had a problem when traveling either. That's why it just struck me the way it was worded.
The only problem I've had w/ drop-in was when I had a shoulder injury and the doc said I should only swim 2x/month. I had stopped swimming entirely a few months b4 so I stopped paying dues during the injury. When I approached my local club about it, they refused b/c they have a zero tolerance for drop-ins. Not even for injuries.
I was stunned.
So I found another team w/ a nice coach (Brian Stack) and swam w/ them. I supported the team w/ about $3,000 in dues over 5 years.
