It is with some trepidation that I start this thread as I expect that many if not most Forumites will approach this issue with initial antagonism to my position in favor of butterfrog as explicated in the "both sides of the lane line" article in the current issue of SWIMMER but I ask Y'all to approach it with an open mind.(I expect antagonism as even my friends refer to my beloved and beautiful breaststroke as"evilstroke so I shudder at the initial reaction to butterfrog.)But look at the argument:George argues against it on historical and aesthetic grounds where as my argument is more practical.As to the aesthetic argument,what is uglier,both to the spectator and the participant than going vertical on butterfly.
George you are a great swimmer and an inspiration,but when is the last time you swam a 200 fly at a meet?
when Masters started(1970) whip kick was still legal at all levels.Some Masters swimmers had only learned fly with whip kick and it seemed unfair to require them to learn a new stroke.
"It's not fair" is a horrible rationalization for butterfrog.
I had to learn to do evil with a whip kick, and that didn't seem fair. The current IM order isn't fair. Bulkheads aren't fair. Event order at meets is never fair. It's not fair that the 15 meter rule doesn't apply to evil, but does to backstroke. Given the rampant unfairness in our sport, butterfrog should go!
when Masters started(1970) whip kick was still legal at all levels.Some Masters swimmers had only learned fly with whip kick and it seemed unfair to require them to learn a new stroke.
"It's not fair" is a horrible rationalization for butterfrog.
I had to learn to do evil with a whip kick, and that didn't seem fair. The current IM order isn't fair. Bulkheads aren't fair. Event order at meets is never fair. It's not fair that the 15 meter rule doesn't apply to evil, but does to backstroke. Given the rampant unfairness in our sport, butterfrog should go!
