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."
I try to explain that, as long as they are conscientious and let people pass, most swimmers don't mind. I've had many newer swimmers tell me how useful explaining basic lane etiquette has been for them to feel comfortable.
Lane etiquette is key and it has to be something that is agreed upon (ie, discussed openly) if there is going to be an issue due to a speed disparity. For example, there was some disagreement in a thread on this forum about whether it is the responsibility of the faster swimmer to pass (which is my own preference) or the responsibility of the slower swimmer to slow/stop and let the other swimmer go by.
They should also decide whether a foot tap is okay. I don't do it b/c it offends some people, but on the other hand sometimes the swimmer I'm passing has not been paying attention and doesn't realize I've caught him. He'll start pulling to the middle to do a flip, pushing me into an oncoming swimmer or into the lane-line.
As long as the slower swimmer is paying attention to that sort of thing, everything usually works out.
The one exception is backstroke...I've never figured out a good way to pass that doesn't involve turning over on my front. I usually just avoid the stroke if I'm in a lane with multiple slower swimmers.
I try to explain that, as long as they are conscientious and let people pass, most swimmers don't mind. I've had many newer swimmers tell me how useful explaining basic lane etiquette has been for them to feel comfortable.
Lane etiquette is key and it has to be something that is agreed upon (ie, discussed openly) if there is going to be an issue due to a speed disparity. For example, there was some disagreement in a thread on this forum about whether it is the responsibility of the faster swimmer to pass (which is my own preference) or the responsibility of the slower swimmer to slow/stop and let the other swimmer go by.
They should also decide whether a foot tap is okay. I don't do it b/c it offends some people, but on the other hand sometimes the swimmer I'm passing has not been paying attention and doesn't realize I've caught him. He'll start pulling to the middle to do a flip, pushing me into an oncoming swimmer or into the lane-line.
As long as the slower swimmer is paying attention to that sort of thing, everything usually works out.
The one exception is backstroke...I've never figured out a good way to pass that doesn't involve turning over on my front. I usually just avoid the stroke if I'm in a lane with multiple slower swimmers.
