Why is masters swim called masters swim?

US Swimming is categorized by age. If you are older than 18, you are a "Master". That's all.
It has nothing to do with ability, so everyone should go and enjoy. No reason why anyone should feel intimidated.

Any theories as to why they've decided to call 18+ 'masters?'

I've never heard this designation used in running, cycling, or any other sport that I'm familiar with.

True, but those are typical 40+ masters, no?

Only if you can finish 100 fly and still have someone able to identify the stroke as fly.

Shane

Wrongo ... Lots of 18-25 who race 'regular' meets. Masters swimming is officially 25 and over as per FINA. USMS and MSC allow 18-24 to race domestic meets but they cant attend worlds or be on a world record relay. Turning 18 is not the magic criteria. In regular meets there are no age groups beyound a certain ability level or once you turn 18.

Both the UCI and IAAF have masters categories as well...

http://www.cyclingmasters.com/site/

True, but masters cycling is actually a somewhat older (but not quite old) group.

25 is so young I was surprised that it would get the name 'masters' for whatever reason. I guess compared to teenagers, sure, but that's not what I typically think of when I think of the word 'masters'.

Because swimming burns kids out so darn young that you're an ancient relic at 25 ... whereas in cycling you still qualify for the 'young rider' category in the TdF.

And in triathlon you're one of the kids until somewhere in your early 40s.

I think the UCI uses 30+ for masters races and they have 10 year AG brackets.

Because it's sexist.

Yep. IIRC 18-25 is also called senior and 15-17 junior. 18-25 is the age most swimmers peak, the age group is "open", you are welcome to compete in this age group even if you're not that age. I'm not sure if the age groups are the same for women, they tend to peak 2 years earlier.

AFAIK most sports uses junior, senior and masters, but the age limits may differ, such that senior is the age group where athletes tend to peak. Maybe the senior age group in pétanque is 60-65? :P

I guess it's called "Masters" because it sounds better than "old and weak", "Veteran" is also used.

BR

Edited by erik.norgaard 2013-07-25 1:06 AM

Pretty close to the money. Love the new avatar pic.


Most use...

10&u
11-12, 13-14, 15-17, 18+

or 15-16, 17-18.

We have Age group nationals and they swim together in prelims and the finals are:

13&u Male, 12&u female, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.