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."
Good points. I contend that it is a rare occurrence for someone with zero swimming experience to want to join a Masters team. Most true newbies will start with adult lessons before stepping up to a team setting.
While I agree all USMS clubs should be welcoming, someone who can't swim a 100 should probably take lessons first. Otherwise the coach can't coach the entire team. Most large clubs (like ours) and many Ys offer adult lessons for true adult beginners.
I agree. I followed this exact route as an adult. I took adult lessons, then worked on my own about 4 months to build up some stamina and skill before I joined the Masters group. Even then I was the slowest person, and had to skip sets and such for a while.
I find going to meets intimidating. Once I am there, not intimidated, but the thought of going, I don't feel I belong at them because I am not very fast compared to others in my age group. So for me, it is not worth the effort to spend a day driving 2 hours away. So I don't go.
Good points. I contend that it is a rare occurrence for someone with zero swimming experience to want to join a Masters team. Most true newbies will start with adult lessons before stepping up to a team setting.
While I agree all USMS clubs should be welcoming, someone who can't swim a 100 should probably take lessons first. Otherwise the coach can't coach the entire team. Most large clubs (like ours) and many Ys offer adult lessons for true adult beginners.
I agree. I followed this exact route as an adult. I took adult lessons, then worked on my own about 4 months to build up some stamina and skill before I joined the Masters group. Even then I was the slowest person, and had to skip sets and such for a while.
I find going to meets intimidating. Once I am there, not intimidated, but the thought of going, I don't feel I belong at them because I am not very fast compared to others in my age group. So for me, it is not worth the effort to spend a day driving 2 hours away. So I don't go.
