I have a theory that Masters has more males than females is because high school and college programs in the past spent their time on male swimmers. I remember my high school having only distances like 25 yard butterfly and the 50's of the other strokes and only the 100 for freestyle and IM. This was up to my sophmore year. And at the Jr year, the girls finally had 200 yard Im and 500 yard freestyle and the 100's of the other strokes like the boys. Also, I remember that the community college workout for women was a lot less yardage than that for guys. The California community college had the 100 and 50 distances for women and the 100 and 200 yard distances for men. The women did vote to keep the sprints and California community college is the only college system with the 50 sprints for other strokes besides freestyle. Anyways, college scohlorships for women came available starting mainly with the 1970's in swimming. Now at the age group level for USA Swimming girls outnumber boys. So in the future masters swimming will probably end up with more women.
Parents
Former Member
Being a younger swimmer, 21 years old, I am what you may be refering to. I did not swim at a child. In fact I didn't learn to swim till I was 18, and I did then because I had a job that depended on it. I was never encouraged to do sports and I came after title 9. I am so grateful for masters swimming that I may have a scond chance. I have goals now, including attending the SC Championships in 2004. Coaching my age group and masters team supports the notion mentioned. My age groups is finally half and half, after two years. We have only had a fourth of the team boys (or less) since I took over. My masters team however has more men than women. My age-group team...I am extremly excited everytime I see a boy join. This is hard to come by I have found. My masters...bring on whoever...as long as they have the ability to survive in the pool. Anyone is welcome...it just keeps it more interesting. ;) Masters is about what the swimmer wants out of it...weather that be an international meet or the ability to swim a mile. It's a GREAT organization that I fully support and pass along the information to any swimmer interested.
Being a younger swimmer, 21 years old, I am what you may be refering to. I did not swim at a child. In fact I didn't learn to swim till I was 18, and I did then because I had a job that depended on it. I was never encouraged to do sports and I came after title 9. I am so grateful for masters swimming that I may have a scond chance. I have goals now, including attending the SC Championships in 2004. Coaching my age group and masters team supports the notion mentioned. My age groups is finally half and half, after two years. We have only had a fourth of the team boys (or less) since I took over. My masters team however has more men than women. My age-group team...I am extremly excited everytime I see a boy join. This is hard to come by I have found. My masters...bring on whoever...as long as they have the ability to survive in the pool. Anyone is welcome...it just keeps it more interesting. ;) Masters is about what the swimmer wants out of it...weather that be an international meet or the ability to swim a mile. It's a GREAT organization that I fully support and pass along the information to any swimmer interested.
