Mission Viejo had very good facilities, great weather, superb organization, and the best hosts. Overall a great meet.
However, as commented in another thread, there were lots of no shows. In four of five events I had an empty lane next to me. This is not the best racing environment, and it makes the meet last longer than necessary. I am not critical of the people that did not show up -- I was one of them on Thursday, as an emergency at work made me arrive a day late.
On deck seeding would be a simple and easy solution.
Evidently some people like to know a day or days in advance who will swim in their heat. However, the way it worked for me, I found out as I walked up to the block who would *not* be swimming. *That's* lots of opportunity to get psyched! (not)
I don't think the way this meet was seeded (check in for distance events, advanced seeding for the other events) was a very good compromise. This was my first non-deck seeded masters meet, and I did not enjoy that aspect of it.
Cjquill, I'm not sure what lack of shade you're referring to at MV? There was A LOT of shade and those bleachers were not full- you could have sat there.
As far as the deck seeding at Pacific meets- the heats and lanes are posted well ahead of time at about 4 different "high traffic" areas around the pool. Again, you don't have your own heat sheets, but do you need one? At our meets, again, there is a program and if you're so inclined you could write in the heats and lanes of all of the swimmers!
No shows and scratching penalty- this was how it was done when I was an age-grouper. I don't like it for masters. There are way TOO many things that come up. I frequently have someone check me in when I'm not in the first distance events and so far I've NEVER missed my event, but I know people who have had real life emergencies and were able to swim their next event.
Plus, I'd be really miffed if I drove a long way, had a rotten trip, I was late (whatever happened) and THEN on top of it I couldn't swim my next race! Remember Masters is supposed to be as inclusive as possible :p
Cjquill, I'm not sure what lack of shade you're referring to at MV? There was A LOT of shade and those bleachers were not full- you could have sat there.
As far as the deck seeding at Pacific meets- the heats and lanes are posted well ahead of time at about 4 different "high traffic" areas around the pool. Again, you don't have your own heat sheets, but do you need one? At our meets, again, there is a program and if you're so inclined you could write in the heats and lanes of all of the swimmers!
No shows and scratching penalty- this was how it was done when I was an age-grouper. I don't like it for masters. There are way TOO many things that come up. I frequently have someone check me in when I'm not in the first distance events and so far I've NEVER missed my event, but I know people who have had real life emergencies and were able to swim their next event.
Plus, I'd be really miffed if I drove a long way, had a rotten trip, I was late (whatever happened) and THEN on top of it I couldn't swim my next race! Remember Masters is supposed to be as inclusive as possible :p
