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
I haven't encountered that phenomenon (yet). I am in my first year as a master and as an old man (48), I have swam with some fast swim teams as a drop in and the only qualifier was being able to keep up in the lane I was in, and if I didn't feel like pushing it , just swim in the slow lane. Compared to the rest of the swimming world; I would be a learner.
I think the general attitude of "come one, come all" to a masters swim practice is just awesome.
Even with my "suck" times, nobody has ever given me that "you don't belong here" attitude at the meets I have competed at as well.
The coaches defiantly set the tone, my coach knows I have goals and she pushes me to meet them, however most of the people in our little group only come for a workout and she gladly accommodates them. Ive seen an openness, hospitality and patience in all the coaches I have encountered.
I haven't encountered that phenomenon (yet). I am in my first year as a master and as an old man (48), I have swam with some fast swim teams as a drop in and the only qualifier was being able to keep up in the lane I was in, and if I didn't feel like pushing it , just swim in the slow lane. Compared to the rest of the swimming world; I would be a learner.
I think the general attitude of "come one, come all" to a masters swim practice is just awesome.
Even with my "suck" times, nobody has ever given me that "you don't belong here" attitude at the meets I have competed at as well.
The coaches defiantly set the tone, my coach knows I have goals and she pushes me to meet them, however most of the people in our little group only come for a workout and she gladly accommodates them. Ive seen an openness, hospitality and patience in all the coaches I have encountered.
