PURSUIT OF SKILL (the desired to acquire
physical skills; focus on perfecting their skills through continued,
vigorous activity)
— "With every set, I focus on perfecting my skills…
to me, warm-ups don't count, and neither do easy swims… I
don't even count those on my records at home." (Male; approx
age 47)
— "I come here to use my body mostly. I know that it
empowers my thinking about myself… Someone told me that it
makes me a good role model for my girls… I think that is
true, but I really came here for myself first… This is one
of the only times I can be alone… I think about a lot of
things under the water, but mostly, I concentrate on pulling hard
and learning butterfly. I think it is a beautiful stroke, and
I want to be strong enough to do it." (Female; approx. age,
37).
— "I like watching myself perform, kind of like I am
in a dream… I like to think of parting the water…or
of stroking my way along, as if I am pulling myself along a rope,
like I did in the Army…just like then, I am determined to
win… I never (however) forget my teammates…I am there
for them, too…" (Male).
— "Swimming is better than anything I know. I like
to swim until I nearly throw up… to me, that is a good workout…
(Male; approx. age 32).
