1977
1977 History of Master Swimming
by
Hamilton Anderson
, Nat'l Historian
To update everyone on early Master Swimming please refer to Vol 6 for report starting in Amarillo, Texas May 1970.
Master Swimming is continuing to attract new swimmers to the program. Some of the 1st master swimmer, who were active in the meets from one to four years, are now in-active. Most have acquired the habit of regular swimming work-outs, but do not enter meets. Some may only enter one or two local or state meets; and some swim in one National Meet a year, but do benefit from the program with regular work-outs.
Many localities, as Baton Rogue LA, Oklahoma, Arlington, TX, Wichita, KA, L.C. Houston, TX, and many more are holding their first Short or Long Course Master meets. Most of the first pioneers continue to hold their annual Master Meets increasing the number of Master swimmers. In 1977 Postal Master Relays, sponsored by Hawaii were added to the program.
The number of participants in the program seems to have leveled off with new swimmers replacing in-active swimmers.
A few rules do change, as the requirements for All-American. All swimmers who place first in Top-Ten in any event will be declared All-American with names to be published. The other change is that Short Course nationals, & meter times stop at the close of Long Course National Meet.
Master Diving is growing with more local diving meets; and the Diving Nationals is attracting former & new divers. Master Synchronized Swimming is progressing also.
