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."
Agreed..... many ex-serious swimmers are indeed happy to just be able to swim for fun, excercise and commaraderie.
but... just because a new swimmer feels the talent in the pool or the workout/agenda is competitive or daunting, doesn't mean there exists elitism by ex-serious swimmers.
Totally agree. Over the years I have invited scores of newer swimmers (not folks who can't swim but folks who want to swim better) to USMS workouts. Without exception they all state, "I'm not good enough." When they discover that there are typically 3 or more workouts written for all levels they seem pleased and are more inclined to give it a try.
What is more interesting is why newer swimmers leave USMS teams. Here are the reasons I've heard:
1. Cost (red herring to me)
2. Work/family/time of day
3. Just decided swimming wasn't their thing and couldn't stay regular, which totally kills your swimming.
4. Wookie's advances in the locker room.
5. Runners have a terrible time sticking with it because they can't get the breathing right (have others seen this?).
Agreed..... many ex-serious swimmers are indeed happy to just be able to swim for fun, excercise and commaraderie.
but... just because a new swimmer feels the talent in the pool or the workout/agenda is competitive or daunting, doesn't mean there exists elitism by ex-serious swimmers.
Totally agree. Over the years I have invited scores of newer swimmers (not folks who can't swim but folks who want to swim better) to USMS workouts. Without exception they all state, "I'm not good enough." When they discover that there are typically 3 or more workouts written for all levels they seem pleased and are more inclined to give it a try.
What is more interesting is why newer swimmers leave USMS teams. Here are the reasons I've heard:
1. Cost (red herring to me)
2. Work/family/time of day
3. Just decided swimming wasn't their thing and couldn't stay regular, which totally kills your swimming.
4. Wookie's advances in the locker room.
5. Runners have a terrible time sticking with it because they can't get the breathing right (have others seen this?).
