Elitism in Masters Swimming

Not sure what the Main Idea (or Author's Message) of this thread is, so I'll throw in my :2cents: : Fortunately, all the Masters coaches I talked to when I sought out workouts made a point of saying I didn't have to be fast or good or a "master" of anything. That was helpful. And they've all taken special care with the not-so-good and not-so-fast. Recently I started weights and horrible equipment the Fortress's way: walked into the gym, said "What's this for?" and got some ideas. Life is way too short to be intimidated into not trying something. At least once you're past the teen years and ruthless peers. :D

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.

I'm hoping to be intimidated, or looked down as a beginner wanker, that's what drives me. When I get good if all goes well, I will do the same

We recently had a few new people decide to get registered so they could sign up for some meets this Fall. I told one guy that if there a dozen heats of the 50 free (a very popular event)...that the first eight or so would be filled with people from all ages and abilities. I would guess that only 10 or 15% are considered "the elite"...whatever that means. ....Maybe those who do really well?. Sure there are experienced swimmers at the meets, but they seem to be way outnumbered by more everyday average folks who are there to have fun. Not once have we witnessed a better than thou attitude. Maybe this kind of behavior is more noticeable at the bigger meets?

I welcome non elite swimmers in practice and at meets. Swimming is about personal health & self improvement. Everybody can swim faster faster

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?).

You guys crack me up. Check out the link: define: master - Google Search Why on earth would someone think you had to be fast to be a master's swimmer?

Runners are interesting to watch in the pool. The two sports may be great for general cross training and cardio purposes, but they never seem to translate into direct improvements from one to the other. How so many great runners can be so pathetic with a kick board is interesting..... the reverse (swimmers who run) doesn't seem quite as bad. I think you are dead on with this. I do think that running has helped me on distance events purely from a cardio/endurance perspective. Alternatively, running turns ankles into boards which is not good for swimming. Running is also the magic bullet for weight loss and weight loss can benefit swimming.

Back to the original topic of this thread, I don't think there's any greater elitism in Masters' swimming than any other organized adult athletics, especially for newbies. It's the internal reaction of newbies more often that creates this feeling than the external actions of the existing 'players.' For example ... I feel intimidated when I walk into a free weight gym, not because the muscleheads there say anything or do anything more than ... well, looking like they know what they're doing. I still lift my girly-man weights, though, because that's what I came for. I did one triathlon years ago, setting up my mountain bike and Sports Authority-cheap running shoes in the transition area next to all the hi-tech bikes, shoes, tri-outfits, energy gels, etc. ... all the while overhearing tri-jargon that I couldn't make heads or tails of. No one paid me any attention, but, sure, I felt intimidated about the upcoming bike & run. I still did it and had fun ... came out of the water right behind Kurt Dickson and then proceeded to get passed by practically every man, woman and child on the bike and run legs. The point is this: if you go into a new sport, you're bound to feel somewhat intimidated because of your own lack of knowledge and experience. I think it's rare, though, that the others experienced in that sport will go out of their way to pile on that feeling. It's your own issue, not others.

Trying to make them feel uncomfortable? I am sure that would be a very rare case but unintentional probably happens far more frequently. Honestly, their level makes novices feel uncomfortable. Most ex-serious swimmers are just happy to be able to swim for fun w/o the pressure of a coach or team counting on them and yelling at them. They truly have a lot in common w/ novices. I think this attitude does get projected, but the speed of the top swimmers is what intimidates beginners.