I have a question regarding starts at the LC Nationals at the Woodlands.
In the meet information on the USMS web site, under 'Facilities', there is the following comment: "...nine eight-foot-wide lanes and a water depth that varies from four to seven-and-a-half feet."
Under 'Seeding' there is another statement: "All events start from the deep end of the pool (7.5 feet)."
I have had some really bad personal experiences diving into water that is only 4 feet deep from a starting block. It would appear that all individual events will be started from the deep end, according to the second quoted statement above. That would be counter to most LC meets I have attended where the 50s start from the opposite end of the pool as the longer events but, if it can be done as advertized, that would be great for me at least.
However, I don't see how the meet can be run without using the shallow end of the pool for all the relays. It surprises me that the USMS can allow dives into such shallow water given the recent direction of rulings from USA Swimming on pool depth.
What am I missing here?
The Rule Book for both USMS and USA Swimming allows starts from starting platforms if the depth of the pool is 4 feet measured for a distance of 1 to 5 meters from the end wall. The Woodlands bid specified the water depth as 4'2" at the shallow end of the pool.
I haven't done any homework, but anyone know who else bid for 2007's LCM Nationals? Maybe they're the only one that bid and met all the requirements for nationals. :dunno:
