Nats at the Hall of Fame

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Tue, 10 May 2005 12:45:34 GMT

I had the meet of my life at Tempe. No pollution problems whatsoever, and there was PLENTY of shade!!! Let me repeat that. There was PLENTY of shade!!! I practically drowned at Indy though. Migrain headaches are no fun. Hopefully, I'm just better at meets held outdoors...

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Tue, 10 May 2005 11:51:29 GMT

Tempe was a great experience for me, too. I stayed in the shade when I needed to in the upper reaches of the grandstand, but my muscles stayed nice and loose because of the heat. As a result, I had 4 lifetime best times. IUPUI may be a fast pool, but the cold deck temp keeps me from swimming really well. Gimme the heat any day!!

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Tue, 10 May 2005 11:51:29 GMT

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Tue, 10 May 2005 10:36:49 GMT

Karen, People are too serious on this site. I'm sure she will tell me where to stick it. Remember the cardinal rule of Masters Swimming: It's not how FAST your are..... it's how FAT you are. John Smith:)

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Glenn — Tue, 10 May 2005 08:19:10 GMT

Wayne, You're repeating yourself! Glenn

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Karen Duggan — Mon, 09 May 2005 10:09:56 GMT

John, I can't believe you asked her where you could stick them?!:p A juvenile answer may be forthcoming :)

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Mon, 09 May 2005 09:52:39 GMT

My recollection of Tempe was that there was plenty of shade available in the upper reaches of the grandstands under the permanent cover over those portions of the stands. That's where my team (Rose Bowl) camped out and it was never a problem. And being from L.A., I never noticed poor air quality. The Tempe nationals were great as was the beer, tequila and nourishment found in the surrounding locales. One swimmer's opinion. carl

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Mon, 09 May 2005 09:25:31 GMT

Debbie, So if we bring our own portable tarps or shade covers to set up, where specifically can we stick them? John Smith :confused:

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Mon, 09 May 2005 05:30:16 GMT

I would liken the Tempe Nationals to a Masters Prisoner of War Camp. I lived under a 4 square foot piece of shade for 3 days. Hopefully Fort Lauderdale will have more shade. John Smith

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Karen Duggan — Sun, 08 May 2005 11:20:43 GMT

Thanks for the advice.

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Sat, 07 May 2005 16:51:31 GMT

I agree with you, Paul! Just returning from a long absense from Masters competition I am dissappointed to see that only 1600 swimmers are competing in a National event. Why are we not growing when the largest population base in the history of the world is marching through the age groups hosted in our sport while health and fitness is at the forefront of the marketplace mindset like never before?! One reason might be that we need to be more "friendly" to those participating. The visual I have in reading the report from Tempe and the comments on shade at this year's event is a bunch of sweltering but relentless devotees standing (because there is no place to sit under shade ) under a small patch of shade on the hot deck in sardine fashion waiting for their event and wishing they were home in the a/c. I hope I'm wrong. "Quit whining - you aren't going to melt" or "go shop at the vendor booths - they have plenty of shade" doesn't work for me. This is a legitimate concern. Debbie or others in charge of the facility: may we have suggestions, options or alternatives? For example, I have already packed a (small) 4x4 freestanding tarp that is large enough for 2-3 chairs under. Will I be booted off to the sardine area if I try to set that up? BTW - I assert that the problem with not having enough bidders for hosting a contest is not as much about the attitudes of the participants as much as it is about the economics making sense. If we attracted 5000 swimmers to an event, hosts would be standing in line!

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Paul Smith — Sat, 07 May 2005 11:30:37 GMT

Debbie, There is pretty big difference between "whining" and making sure people are prepared for what could be harsh conditions. As we've seen in this thread people had a rough time in Tempe with an overcrowded pool deck an minimal shade. Rather than being defensive maybe you should consider offering up some possible solutions such as recomending a local company that people can rent pop tents from. Keep in mind that 1600+ swimmers of all ages and health conditions coming to a meet that may or may not have rook to get out of the sun is something folks need to be ready for. As for Ft. Lauderdale "stepping up" I applaud them for doing so and like many others really look forward o coming to the meet. The bigger issue about other teams not wanting to host nationals was how the championship comittee was handling bids, something they have addressed.

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

debbie cavanaugh — Sat, 07 May 2005 08:34:50 GMT

One more thing I incorrectly stated that there will be tents in front of the grandstands. Debbie

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

debbie cavanaugh — Sat, 07 May 2005 08:33:01 GMT

Mark has answered correctly. The covering of the grandstands applies to all events held at the pool! I know I am going to make people mad when I say this. But quit your gripping about all the facilities that are talked about in this forum. Ft. Lauderdale stepped up when there were no other bids. When other facilities hear what is going on no wonder they don't want to bid for the nationals. Lets try to be positive & be supportive of these facilities & do what we can to have a great meet.

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

debbie cavanaugh — Sat, 07 May 2005 05:33:21 GMT

I missed stated earlier, in fact two times "that there will be tents in front of the grandstands." There will not be tents is front of the grandstands. The shaded areas are: On the pool deck the east & south wall will have bleechers & shade. The upstairs area on the south side of the pool will have bleechers & shade. In the vendor area there will be a 30 X 30 shaded area. In between the East & West pool there will be bleechers & shade. In the back near registration & awards is a banquet hall that is air conditioned that can be used. The walkways outside the pool are shaded most of the day. There is a breeze way out in the front that is shaded. After hosting the YMCA kids nationals with over 1800 swimmers for the last 5 years with this tenting arrangement, there seems to be plenty of shade & room for the athletes. I would suggest that while you are at the meet, drink plenty of fluids & use your sunscreen, even in the shade the reflection off the decks & pool could cause a sunburn.....

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

swimr4life — Sat, 07 May 2005 04:57:02 GMT

Debbie, We DO appreciate Ft. Lauderdale for stepping up and bidding to host Nationals. All the hard work you and others have done to prepare and plan the meet is appreciated too. Please don't take everyone's concerns for staying in the shade personally. We've just done a lot of preparation and planning for the meet too and want to perform to the best of our abilities.... thats all.;)

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Karen Duggan — Sat, 07 May 2005 04:39:38 GMT

Debbie I didn't have a problem with shade in AZ, but I did have a problem with the air quality. I realize that no one has control over the air quality the day of a swim meet (or any other day). I also agree with Paul. It is not whining to want to make sure there is shade especially when travelling to states known for their sun (AZ, FL, CA). I'm not offended at your comment, but I guess more surprised. I'm not really sure where it comes from...

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Fri, 06 May 2005 16:54:33 GMT

Paul, I am not Debbie, I am aware of the situation. Due to an accident in 1999 involving the large shade structure that used to be put up for meets, the insurance will no longer cover them if it is used. This has been the policy for several year and applies to all meets, not just masters. This year, the facility hosted the YMCA Nationals (kids meet) without problem. The meet host now provides shade structures on the pool deck and in the grassy area in an attempt to get everyone out of the sun. In the past, this was not done. The Championship Committee (which you were a member of at the time of this decision) was aware of this situation when we certified their bid. As you recall, this was all done by email due to the lack of qualified bidders at the time of convention.

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

knelson — Thu, 05 May 2005 06:16:27 GMT

Originally posted by Paul Smith Mark.....you've got to be kidding? As well run as that meet was, especially for the number of swimmers, the lack of shade outside the deck area was a major issue. I agree. Because of the heat and the sun I tried to spend as little time at the pool as possible. The estimated timeline and real-time results make this much easier to do, but still, it kind of stinks that you can only stand to be at the pool for your own events. I would go back to Temple, but this was a definite negative.

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Paul Smith — Thu, 05 May 2005 04:17:35 GMT

Debbie, I'm wondering if you would be able to clarify exactly what "for insurance reasons" means in pertaining to your not having shade in the grandstands? It seems odd to me that this could be an issue, a more important concern would be the potential health risks associated with not having enough shade? Also, if other meets (USS) have done so in the past.....why is ther a problem with a masters meet? Was this simply a finacial decison?

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

debbie cavanaugh — Wed, 04 May 2005 05:53:53 GMT

I left one area of shade out. It is a 30 X30 tent in the area on the grass where the big statue is. The vendors are in this area also but they have their own tents. Debbie

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Former Member — Mon, 02 May 2005 07:41:15 GMT

Originally posted by Karen Duggan I don't think I'd go back to Tempe again because of the pollution. I ended up in the ER Saturday night with pharyngitis and laryngitis and had to drink some disgusting green stuff to numb my throat. I couldn't swallow, it was so swollen and uncomfortable. The doctors chalked it up to the very bad air quality. Not fun. :( Wow, I got really sick at Tempe too. I chalked it up to a cold or the flu, but that could explain it.

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Karen Duggan — Mon, 02 May 2005 04:21:50 GMT

It sucked! I had to take a cab to the hospital (by myself as I didn't want to ruin my roommate's swims), spent several hours there, took a cab back, and then had to swim in the am. I swam the 200 *** and then scratched the 200 IM!

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

Karen Duggan — Mon, 02 May 2005 01:38:13 GMT

I don't think I'd go back to Tempe again because of the pollution. I ended up in the ER Saturday night with pharyngitis and laryngitis and had to drink some disgusting green stuff to numb my throat. I couldn't swallow, it was so swollen and uncomfortable. The doctors chalked it up to the very bad air quality. Not fun. :(

RE: Nats at the Hall of Fame

swimr4life — Sun, 01 May 2005 09:47:25 GMT

Thanks Debbie!