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2013-07-24 6:08 PM


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Subject: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
Why is masters swim called masters swim?

Just curious. I honestly don't know the answer to this question!


2013-07-24 6:24 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Subject: RE: 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.
2013-07-24 6:48 PM
in reply to: blbriley

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?

A polite way to say "old".

Mark

2013-07-24 6:52 PM
in reply to: blbriley


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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
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.
2013-07-24 6:52 PM
in reply to: blbriley

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?

Originally posted by blbriley 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.

But I can still feel superior, right???

2013-07-24 7:28 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?

Originally posted by yazmaster 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.

I've done a lot of running races where they had Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Grand Masters and Veterans awards in addition to AG's.

Mark



2013-07-24 7:34 PM
in reply to: RedCorvette


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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
True, but those are typical 40+ masters, no?
2013-07-24 7:39 PM
in reply to: ChrisM

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
Originally posted by ChrisM

Originally posted by blbriley 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.

But I can still feel superior, right???




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

Shane
2013-07-24 8:12 PM
in reply to: blbriley

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
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.
2013-07-24 8:15 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
Both the UCI and IAAF have masters categories as well...

http://www.cyclingmasters.com/site/
2013-07-24 9:07 PM
in reply to: simpsonbo


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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
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'.


2013-07-24 9:15 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
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.
2013-07-24 9:43 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
I think the UCI uses 30+ for masters races and they have 10 year AG brackets.
2013-07-24 10:22 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
Because it's sexist.

2013-07-25 12:58 AM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
Originally posted by simpsonbo

Wrongo ... Lots of 18-25 who race 'regular' meets. Masters swimming is officially 25 and over as per FINA.



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
2013-07-25 9:46 AM
in reply to: erik.norgaard

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?

Originally posted by erik.norgaard
Originally posted by simpsonbo Wrongo ... Lots of 18-25 who race 'regular' meets. Masters swimming is officially 25 and over as per FINA.
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

At many swim meets I attend 15 and over is called "open".  I regularly watch 15 year olds race men in their 20's.  These are mostly district meets so it may not be the same for sectionals and zones, I don't know. What I do know is that once my kid turned 15 he wasn't racing little kids anymore.



2013-07-25 1:16 PM
in reply to: simpsonbo

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?

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

 

Yep. Definitely used for cycling.

2013-07-25 2:16 PM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: Why is masters swim called masters swim?
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.
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