SPMA Zones bigger than Nationals?

A great strategy that other zones might consider... Schedule your zone championships AFTER Nationals! That way athletes can decide way in advance which location is more desirable for them. And - it allows those who might want another chance at swimming fast on the tail-end of a "taper" an opportunity in a championship venue. Regardless, I don't think this strategy serves the USMS National Championship overall participation numbers. But perhaps that isn't important anyway...

I don't think this strategy serves the USMS National Championship overall participation numbers. But perhaps that isn't important anyway... I suppose it depends on how important one thinks nationals is. I imagine the possibility of larger numbers attracts more bidders.

I suppose it depends on how important one thinks nationals is. I imagine the possibility of larger numbers attracts more bidders. Agreed. I happen to really enjoy Nationals and try to support them if at all possible. It would seem that most organizations host Nationals with a purpose to fund-raise for their club. What a disappointment to have a small turnout for all of the work involved... I hope at these smaller Nationals, most everyone purchases a GOLD MEDAL SPONSORSHIP!

A great strategy that other zones might consider... Schedule your zone championships AFTER Nationals! Not a strategy. SPMA is very interested in supporting the national championships. However, this year nationals is scheduled a week earlier than usual. Southern Pacific offers a full schedule of summer LCM meets as well as OW swims almost every weekend, so a week after nationals is the best place left to put the meet. We normally schedule our championships two weeks ahead of nationals (if possible).

I remember not too long ago, discussions about building bigger participation numbers at LMSC and or Zone Championships. The idea being, as masters swimming grows and Nationals becomes a larger meet, the qualification time cuts would need to be tougher. But all members should have access to a great championship meet each season if they wish to swim. Not sure we are there yet unless the Nationals venue is especially accessible and desirable. This will be the 2nd SPMA Championships scheduled (2 weeks) following Nationals - in a row. I like the idea because it offers a lot of options to swimmers who enjoy swimming meets. However, it also makes an easier choice for those who might have attended Mesa or Auburn Nationals to stay closer to home and race - rather than spend the time & expense to travel. I'd venture to say that no LMSC or Zone would present a schedule like this if they were hosting a National Championships.

Hey Kirk, there's an LCM meet meet in Spokane later this month. James and I will be there, swimming random events slowly :cane: Unfortunately that meet is the same day as Fat Salmon! That should be a fun weekend. I'm doing the Fat Salmon on Saturday and the Postal 5K on Sunday. I believe Monday will be a rest day after that!

Who's going to Mission Viejo? It's possible, but doubtful for me. I do have some air miles I could probably use and I like the timing. Right now my plan is for Northwest Zones this weekend to be my sole long course meet.

I suppose it depends on how important one thinks nationals is. I imagine the possibility of larger numbers attracts more bidders.I'd do think Nationals is important. LCM Nationals just always seems to fall at the wrong time of the summer for me. I know USMS will experiment with an earlier summer Nationals next year, but it might also be worthwhile to see if a later in August LCM nationals draws a bigger crowd. I don't know how much timing matters to most people versus location? For me, summer timing is critical to be able to squeeze in a meet around my kids' swimming, family vacation and school starting. Had Auburn Nationals been two or three weeks later, I'd have been there this year.

It's possible, but doubtful for me. I do have some air miles I could probably use and I like the timing. Right now my plan is for Northwest Zones this weekend to be my sole long course meet. Hey Kirk, there's an LCM meet meet in Spokane later this month. James and I will be there, swimming random events slowly :cane: Edit: it would be helpful if I provided the link to the meet :doh: www.usms.org/.../event.php

You call that easy? Let me show you how it's done: I entered the 50 fly, 50 back, 50 free, and 100 free! Also, I will be complaining about exactly four of these topics (so choose carefully): event order, bulkheads (or lack thereof), sunburn (or lack thereof), lane assignments, water depth, water temperature, large competitors, taper length, rest between events, the suits, the government, alien abductions, the Higgs Boson, cold fusion, and of course, forumites who complain. Hey if I'm gonna be a sprinter for a day, I gotta do it right! :banana: Only four? I know sprinters, I've worked with sprinters. You're no sprinter.:bolt: