1987
1987 MASTERS SWIMMING HISTORY
by
Hamilton Anderson
Masters Swimming registrations continue to grow. At last count there were 25,118, expecting to hit 27,000.
The SC start for both SC and LC and NO false start rules have been enforced. Many still are not familiar with these changes. The 400 and 800 relays have been added to the local meets. There was considerable discussion regarding the breastroke. Both hands much touch together, but don't have to be at the same level. Many cannot grasp the change in stroke. Tina Martin is compiling the new rule book, soon to be printed.
Most associations now mail out newsletters; the National letter is mailed out four times a year to ALL registered athletes. Top-Ten World times were printed in SWIM MASTER.
The 1987 National Short Course Masters meet was held at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA under Carolyn Ferris-Johnson and well-organized officials, with 2328 swimmers. A successful, enjoyable meet. I read that some events lasted until 10:00 P.M. having started at 8:00 A.M. A long day, first hot then cool on the last. The social life was also enjoyed.
The Long Course Nationals were successfully held at The Woodlands, TX with 872 swimmers. Meet Directors Del Hannsen and Tom Boak . All enjoyed the social as well as the competitive aspects of the meet. The weather was hot, but NO RAIN.
We, Mildred and I, had attended all of the conventions as delegates eligible to vote in any meeting for over 15 years, before Masters conventions. Officers must attend Conventions.
FLASH BACK !!!
We attended all of the Masters Conventions, even the one held in West Yellowstone in '73 (David Ravines from Montana was National AAU President). Snow on the ground and cold. Convention was held in a large ex-train depot. We ate buffalo meat. This was quite an experience. Delegates, Hamilton and Mildred Anderson , Pete Combs, June Krauser , Watson Lawrence, and Bill Williams held their Masters meetings in a church. The 200 Butterfly and the 400 Individual medley were voted into the program for local meets. It snowed the day after the convention; we could have been snowed in.
At the 1971 convention, held in Kansas City, the Masters delegates were waiting for their meeting to start in one room, while Ransom and June were in another room, wondering where everyone was.
There was discussions at the 1974 Convention that Masters Swimming will fold. How wrong this was.
The 1988 National SC Championships will be held at the University of Texas in Austin, May 19-22. This pool is all deep water and known as a fast pool. The 1988 LC Nationals will be held in Buffalo, NY. 1989 SC (Eastern Zone) 1989 LC (Western Zone)
With all of the discussions about the National meets having too many swimmers the 20-24 age group continue to hope to swim in the Nationals, increasing the number of swimmers still more. Top-Ten times are now being calculated for them. They are treated equally in the local meets - times and awards.
Topics discussed: cut-off times, extending the number of days of the meets, promoting zone meets to attract more swimmers, Marketing.
Taken from the Feb. 1986 CMSC Newsletter "Health and Nutrition" Alcohol and Athletes: A Clint Eastwood Commentary by Ross Lambert, M.D.
Drinking the night before will hurt athletic performance. Effects on nervous function can be seen 12 hours after moderate drinking. I know of only 3 swimmers who drank more than one beer at any time during Nationals. After their races many tanked up. One or two started drinking after their individual races, but before relays. Their teammates are still annoyed with them.
No nutritional value. The calories make junk foods seem like health food heaven. All of the calories in booze are empty.
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Mary Lee Watson announced that the 1988 Masters Calendars are ready.
New Masters Swimmers: Answers to many questions in:
MASTER SWIM HISTORY 506 Bolivar, Bellaire, TX 77401
1987 Convention - Atlanta, GA
