For Event Directors - Recent Threads

Will there be any LCM events in Virginia this summer?

VBWJT — Fri, 22 May 2026 11:23:10 GMT

Our Virginia masters team is growing and we had some swimmers competing at the recent spring Nationals. We are looking forward to summer Nationals in Richmond in 2027. Are there any Virginia LCM meets in the plans for this summer? We were hoping to get to at least 1 LCM meet this year.

South Central LCM Zones 2026

RUR63 — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:14:38 GMT

Where are going to be organized ?? Has anyone heard anything?

2026 USMS Summer Nationals NQT Hy-Tek File

Colton Martin — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:58:32 GMT

Attached is the hy-tek time standards file with the 2026 Summer NQTs.

You will need to unzip the file to import to MM.

community.usms.org/.../usmssu26nqt.zip

OEVT question for Event Directors

Nicole Christensen — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:35:54 GMT

I wanted to find out who regularly offers OVET registrations for your events and if you have found that doing so has created any issues for event directors or membership coordinators.

We have not done this much in the Gulf LMSC but we are considering doing it more in the hopes of encouraging swimmers to try out our events which may then lead them to wanting to join USMS.

TIA for any replies.

Love to Swim Outdoors?

Jill Wright — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 23:14:05 GMT

I love to swim outdoors: lakes, ocean, rivers. It doesn't matter. There is something more fun and freeing than a black line. In Idaho it's almost time. In May we can swim in the ponds and lakes with wetsuits. Finally in June the water gets warmer: 65-68 degrees. No wonder we're tough when we live up here. It's always such a pleasure to go south to swim in warm water. Does anyone have open water warm weather swimming plans?

Our first open water swim in Idaho is at Broadside Harbor , Caldwell, ID on June 14th. Come join us: https://www.clubassistant.com/club/meet_information.cfm?c=1476&smid=19658

Sanctions Webpage & Meet Announcement Updates

Douglas Sayles — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:19:38 GMT

Hello Event Directors!

Last year members of the LMSC Development Committee worked with national office staff to restructure the Sanction Application Process webpage, update the Overview and General Sanction Information guidance document, and add a Meet Announcement Template in Word and PDF formats that provide examples of required and optional meet information.

Also, if you're not already aware, USMS has eliminated sanction fees (but kept recognition fees).

Multiple start wave order

ForceDJ — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 14:20:50 GMT

In open water events that have numerous start waves/groups…is it common practice to start the faster/stronger swimmers first, and subsequent groups being slower/weaker swimmers?

Here’s why I ask — There is an event that I participate in annually…this year will be my 24th time swimming in it. About decade ago, the sponsoring organization’s current events director began consulting with me about some of the aspects of the event. It’s a 2-mile swim, across a shipping channel, that obviously is affected by tidal currents. Usually there are 400+ participants. The start is always right at slack tide (low or high), with the faster/stronger swimmers starting first, and usually four or five groups starting at five-minute intervals. Even in perfect conditions, by the time the last group starts, and gets into the channel, the tidal flow has begun. Last year, the start was delayed by 25-30 due to fog. And when we did start, due to time constraints dictated by the USCG, they sent everyone off at the same time. By the time even the lead swimmers got across the channel, the tidal flow had gotten significant. Everyone had difficulty. The slower/weaker swimmers were forced way off course (but not really dangerously as they are accompanied with individual kayakers). So, my suggestion for this year…and going forward…is that they start the groups in reverse order to get the weaker swimmers across the channel before any tidal flow. They like the idea, except that they think all the kayaks on the course will disrupt the faster/stronger swimmers who are permitted to swim without a kayak escort. Thoughts? — Dan

Results at the event

024PA — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 10:58:44 GMT

Many race directors of open water swims have neglected to make race results available at the race site at all. Rather, they post results online one, two, three days later. In my view, that takes away from one of the purposes of doing the event. The chatter around the race site among friends and participants about how they did is a fundamental part of the experience. Race fees seem to have gone up a lot this summer, yet we seem to be losing that aspect of the event. I suggest that posting results at the venue within one hour of the finish should be a `"best practice" for race directors, at the least.

Courtesy Introduction refused to pending Masters Swimming Hall of Fame honoree

07N7C — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 03:34:37 GMT

I recently escorted an elderly swimmer whom over the course of her lifetime has received numerous honors from the International Swimming Hall of Fame and other organizations such as multiple awards from US Master Swimming and the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition Lifetime Achievement Award. As I was sitting at the most recent National Senior Games 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, the meet director was keeping up a regular chatter of information about who was swimming and records. As I looked about, there were several hundred swimmers, all registered USMS members as the meet was a sanctioned event. The news had just been published within the past week that she was being inducted into the Masters Swimming Hall of Fame at Fort Lauderdale this coming October 15th. Swimmers and friends that knew her were coming up and congratulating her on this honor. Knowing the cost of a ticket to the dinner cost several hundreds of dollars not to mention hotel and travel costs, I knew many of those in attendance would not be coming. Yet, looking about I realized these are the people that are her community, they are her people because everything she thing does is for and about swimming. I thought perhaps I should mention to the meet director she was in attendance and she could be introduced to those in attendance. Some may never meet those exemplary swimmers but it's because of them, meets are held for the enjoyment of all. I made sure someone at the meet directors table knew about the announcement and had looked it up on his smart phone, then I got the attention of the meet director during a break and asked him if he could introduce her. He check with his staff, look at the info on the phone and decline to make any introduction for her and gave no reason.

A bit later, Del Moon, Media Director of the National Senior Games who knew her because of the work she had done contributing to the NSG success had made a trip to the swimming venue to see her. He couldn't believe the slight.

So this highlights an opportunity for Masters to honor their own! Knowing not everyone wants to be illuminated for reasons of their own, those pending Masters Swimming Hall of Fame swimmers that so desire an announcement, can expect their request to be so honored. Now since there is a five month or so delay between the announcement and the bestowing of the honor, it could get rather tedious for swimmers whom have to endure multiple announcements, some regulation should be enforced; say, only at National events so as to encourage those nominated to attend Nationals with other exceptions, perhaps. And if it is made part of the sanctioning for an event (for an inquiry if there are any pending Masters Hall of Fame swimmers in attendance) it'll happen.

This is my suggestion. What do you think?

Does your LMSC or event director offer financial assistance for swimmers who can't afford entry fees?

Elaine Krugman — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 18:56:35 GMT

Entry fees for swim meets are skyrocketing (like everything else!) due to the increased costs in holding a swim meet. I am on Georgia LMSC's newly formed Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and it occurred to me that one of the reasons (in addition to COVID concerns) our swim meets have had fewer participants is due to the increased entry fees. An upcoming meet at Georgia Tech will cost $70 to enter for a one day meet. For some of our swimmers, it may be a choice between paying for groceries or entering a swim meet-- a no-brainer choice when you have a family to feed.

If you are aware of any event directors or LMSC's that provide financial assistance to swimmers who can't afford meet entry fees, will you please contact me through a private message or post here?

Thanks,

Elaine Krugman

Georgia LMSC Board Member

Deck entries for local swim meets

Annkmarshfield — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 22:16:06 GMT

Curious to know how clubs which permit same day deck entries for swim meets handle the registration and payment process.

How do you manage the following?

Register using a paper entry form at the check-in table?
Register at a laptop computer or tablet at the check-in table?
Register using personal device? Like a smart phone?
If paper entry form is permitted are checks accepted as a form of payment?

Phase 2 Return to Competition Guidelines

Dawswim — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 11:14:09 GMT

Since USMS started implementing a phased approach to return to competition last November, several dozen in-person USMS events have been held safely and provided valuable feedback.

With vaccines becoming more widely distributed, USMS is providing Phase 2 guidance to allow events to plan accordingly as we look ahead to the summer season.

We understand that holding events may still be challenging for some areas of the country because of state, local, and facility restrictions. Phase 2 provides flexibility for LMSCs to determine appropriate safeguards for their region and ensure the safety of USMS members while considering the requirements of the facility and local and state health expectations.

The revised return to competition guidelines and safety plan addendum can be found on the COVID-19 Event Resources page. Notable updates include:

Removing the 50 person per session limit because facilities vary widely. Some large facilities can easily accommodate more than 50 swimmers, but some should be limited to fewer than 50.
Travel guidance to be determined in consultation with local and state health requirements.
Best practices for relays if it is deemed they can be held safely while allowing for continued social distancing.
USMS position on encouraging, but not requiring, COVID-19 vaccinations.

The COVID-19 Event Resources page and these guidelines will continue to be updated as needed as conditions evolve. Please contact event services with any questions.

With the launch of the USMS Community, we would like to offer USMS-sanctioned events the opportunity to post about and promote their events in the Events and Results group. Community is open to all USMS members, and discussion around sanctioned events is encouraged.

Open Water Peer-To-Peer Teleconference

laser90 — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 03:49:53 GMT

Please join your USMS peers at the next LMSC Open Water Peer-to-Peer Teleconference, with Open Water Guru Bob Bruce! Date and Time: March 13, 2014 08:30 PM - (US/Eastern) Meeting Wall: www.startmeeting.com/.../USMS_LMSC_Development_Committee US Toll Number: (530) 881-1212 (Please use this if you have free Long Distance) US Toll-Free Number: (855) 212-0212 MeetingID: 128-531-819# At the scheduled date and time of the meeting, dial into the conference line. When prompted, enter the meeting ID. If you wish to participate using your computer speaker and microphone, “Join” from the "Meeting Wall" link above (a software download is required). Bob Bruce will be joining us in a 60- to 75-minute conversation to talk about all things open water. No question is too off-the-wall (because there are no walls in open water,) for example: • What does the referee do at an open water event? How can they know what’s really going on out there? • If I want to put on an open water event, how many lifeguards, kayakers and boats will I need to have my safety plan approved? • When do you call off a race? Due to weather, water temp, high bacteria or the emergency medical truck drove down on the beach and is now stuck in the sand? These questions and more from you will be discussed and answered! Plus we’re looking for your recommended practices on planning, sanctioning and running open water events. Ways you can get your item into the conversation: Share it at the teleconference with your peers Post it to the USMS Forums LMSC Administration/Open Water Event Directors Email your question in advance to Daniel Cox @ danielcox@usms.org We’re looking forward to having you be part of the conversation! Daniel Cox USMS LMSC Development Committee

New Open Water Event Directors Forum

TosbornMOORE — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 04:47:54 GMT

Welcome to the new Open Water Event Directors Forum! This forum is intended to be a place for you and other LMSC volunteers to post questions or suggestions and to share information. Questions and Ideas suggested here will be used by the LMSC Development Committee to help prioritize the scheduling of Peer-to-Peer Teleconference Meetings as well as the creation of Recommended Practices documents to address the concerns and include the ideas that you share here.

New Meet Directors Forum

TosbornMOORE — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 04:47:16 GMT

Welcome to the new Meet Directors Forum! This forum is intended to be a place for you and other LMSC volunteers to post questions or suggestions and to share information. Questions and Ideas suggested here will be used by the LMSC Development Committee to help prioritize the scheduling of Peer-to-Peer Teleconference Meetings as well as the creation of Recommended Practices documents to address the concerns and include the ideas that you share here.