Here's to Us!, by Dorothy Donnelly
Here's to Us!
by
Dorothy Donnelly
, USMS
Where in the world do you find a couple of thousand happy, fit and energetic adult athletes gathered for a common purpose? There's no better place than at a World Masters Championship Swimming Meet! Each has worked hard in his own fashion, in the way of Masters Swimmers. Now is the moment of truth. Each has only himself to blame, or to congratulate. John Nabor said it, "No deposit, no return."
Masters Swimmers are different from those we admire in Olympic competition. This is just one part, albeit a very important part, in our busy and fruitful adult lives. What a contrast to the first-ever recorded Masters swimming competition in the United States, when 46 adult swimmers gathered in Amarillo, Texas, and re-discovered the exhilaration of mounting the blocks and giving their all in competition. Studies prior to that date, and many that followed, pronounced that mature swimmers, with appropriate conditioning and medical clearance, could compete in sports that traditionally were associated with youth.
And compete we did. Not only that, we followed procedures and gained recognition, first as a sub-committee of AAU Swimming. Pouring through our 88 pages of rules and conditions and admonitions in our 1992 USMS Rule Book, some of us have a longing for the simplicity and clarity of that one-page all-encompassing "Official Rules" drafted by our own June Krauser
in 1971. As former USMS President Mike Laux noted, "Just enough to keep us honest and ensure that everyone gets a fair shake."
But of course, as Masters Swimming in the United States grew, it was inevitable that rules would grow complex. From 46 we drew 160 competitors in 1971. Our registration records date back only to 1981, when we officially became the National Governing Body, incorporated as United States Masters Swimming, Inc., and enrolled 11,000 Masters Swimmers. Growth in the United States proceeded apace, averaging 15% overall increase for nine years. At the end of our 1991 registration year, we numbered 28,544 registered Masters Swimmers, and 450 clubs.
Our rosters now included more than the avid competitors. The fitness awareness explosion of the 80s brought the lap swimmers and triathletes to our lanes. Masters Swimmers credo of fun and fitness encompasses all water lovers, so those who competed against themselves were equally welcome as those who hungered to mount the blocks and compete against the clock and their peers. We include the gung-ho and the casual competitor, fitness and laps swimmers, triathletes who want to better their weak link, and others who just enjoy the camaraderie.
With numbers increasing, it was only a matter of time before individuals and groups formed into clubs, and clubs brought the need for organized workouts and coaches. We took a page from the USS Seniors books, and, to the extent our busy lives permitted, we logged in hundreds or thousands of yards a week, and noted with delight that our times were faster each year. Many enjoyed the elusive "personal bests" for ten to 20 years. It's not a rarity to find the 45-50 age group outperforming their college times. One of the most eagerly awaited documents is the Top Ten for each of our three official courses --short course yards, peculiar only to the United States, then short and long course meters. Kudos to our treasured Walt Reid , who not only prepares these listing for USMS, but also for the entire world.
United States masters were not the only ones in the world who discovered this quasi fountain of youth. The international grapevine brought news of masters swimmers, senior swimmers, adult swimmers---by whatever name, there was competition all over the world. One of the first international sorties came about in 1974, when an intrepid group from the US and Canada journeyed down under, for friendship and competition in Australia and New Zealand. We found their history to equal ours---a few ex-competitors showed up the first year, then a few dozen, but now 70 down-under enthusiasts joined for a rollicking experience.
We were really growing both nationally and beyond our borders. In 1978 many of us attended the very first of a few "first" international competitions. Toronto, Canada was host to the "first first" where attendees included a planeload of German swimmers, as well as Australians, Japanese, Europeans and of course, our friends from the north, the Canadians. Thereafter we were invited to another "first" with the 1984 International in Christchurch, New Zealand. When FINA officially recognized Masters Swimming, we then had the 1988 "First FINA World Championships" in Brisbane, Australia. Since then Masters have gathered in Japan and Brazil, and now have descended in droves on THE world famous Natatorium in Indianapolis. With the advent of Pan Pacifics, there's an opportunity, if you have the time, money and inclination, to pack your suit and travel every year!
Who are Masters Swimmers, and why do they stay with it? There's no typical age, education, profession or ethnic background. We come in all shapes and sizes, all levels of ability. Some of us were competitors, even national champions or Olympians, in our youth. Others were recreational or non-swimmers who "caught the bug". We have housewives, doctors, lawyers (lots or lawyers!). One thing we have in common is love of the water, and a dedication to fitness and fun. Many of us cannot remember what life was like before masters Swimming. Schedules have to be prioritized, as in, "What is a good enough reason to miss this meet? Possibly there are some in-house disagreement on this? Many have such staying power they are competing in their fifth age group!
Now, how is all this managed? Who schedules and runs all these competitions, who keeps all these records, who makes all the rules? Enter the sainted volunteers. There are only two paid independent contractors, the National Registrar and the Executive Secretary. In the United States, everyone in the administration is an active Masters Swimmer. At our Annual Convention, our committees work out plans, programs and rules. There are 54 Local Masters Swimming Committees, covering every State in the union. The local entities administer their own programs, run competitions, and clinics, register athletes and clubs. It's an overused but true saying, no amount of money could buy the expertise so freely offered by our volunteers. USMS has the distinction, so far, of being the only national governing body for Masters Swimming. Other countries and other Masters sports come under the jurisdiction of their various national federations.
So we gather, we compete, we play, and we relax with our upbeat, happy and dedicated friends. Here's to us, one and all. God speed!
(1992 - for Swim)
