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."
Swimming is no different than any other adult endeavor for fitness, you wonder how you will fit in or if you are good enough. You look at the Cat for a group ride. You ask about the skill level of the other players for a basketball league. You want to know the handicap expected for a golf tourney. Are you church league softball teammates all ex-collegiate players? There is always some apprehension about joining a new group and 99% of the time that is the fault of the participant, not the team. Most adult fitness groups are overjoyed to have new members.
Swimming is no different than any other adult endeavor for fitness, you wonder how you will fit in or if you are good enough. You look at the Cat for a group ride. You ask about the skill level of the other players for a basketball league. You want to know the handicap expected for a golf tourney. Are you church league softball teammates all ex-collegiate players? There is always some apprehension about joining a new group and 99% of the time that is the fault of the participant, not the team. Most adult fitness groups are overjoyed to have new members.
