Chris Stevenson, it is not surprising you thought the earlier comment by chaos was "a bit much" link], because, by your own admission, you see open water as "a workout, nothing more." You have a narrow perspective, just like the people responsible for these new policies.
Um, no. I said that I view cable swims in that manner.
But I'll freely admit that while I have done a couple dozen OW swims over my lifetime -- in various bodies of water -- they don't really mean that much to me *personally.* I enjoy them but if I was told today that I'll never swim one again I would just shrug, be a little sad, and then move on.
That doesn't mean I don't value them for others for whom they mean a lot more. For example while I don't get all that jazzed about cable swims, I think they are especially valuable for those who are new to the sport and who struggle with open water anxiety. Swimming next to a cable in calm conditions might be a good first baby step to more challenging events. Its an attitude you might want to consider before invoking your scare quotes again.
I freely admit that I do not have the OW experience to help set policy and I don't believe I have ever represented myself in this manner. But unlike you I do think USMS has made a good faith effort in a bad situation to continue OW swimming in the organization in the short term. And I believe I am in a position to evaluate that effort, given that my LMSC chair was on the Task Force and my wife is on the OW committee.
Is it a perfect solution? Obviously not and I'm sure there will be efforts to improve upon it in the future. But your pouting and "cheap shots" are not very useful to that effort.
Chris Stevenson, it is not surprising you thought the earlier comment by chaos was "a bit much" link], because, by your own admission, you see open water as "a workout, nothing more." You have a narrow perspective, just like the people responsible for these new policies.
Um, no. I said that I view cable swims in that manner.
But I'll freely admit that while I have done a couple dozen OW swims over my lifetime -- in various bodies of water -- they don't really mean that much to me *personally.* I enjoy them but if I was told today that I'll never swim one again I would just shrug, be a little sad, and then move on.
That doesn't mean I don't value them for others for whom they mean a lot more. For example while I don't get all that jazzed about cable swims, I think they are especially valuable for those who are new to the sport and who struggle with open water anxiety. Swimming next to a cable in calm conditions might be a good first baby step to more challenging events. Its an attitude you might want to consider before invoking your scare quotes again.
I freely admit that I do not have the OW experience to help set policy and I don't believe I have ever represented myself in this manner. But unlike you I do think USMS has made a good faith effort in a bad situation to continue OW swimming in the organization in the short term. And I believe I am in a position to evaluate that effort, given that my LMSC chair was on the Task Force and my wife is on the OW committee.
Is it a perfect solution? Obviously not and I'm sure there will be efforts to improve upon it in the future. But your pouting and "cheap shots" are not very useful to that effort.
