We're considering a BSLL on how people feel about USMS members swimming in USA-S meets, with the kids. We have plenty of members who do and I have someone who can write the "pro" side. I'm looking for someone who disagrees with this practice and would be willing to share why in 300 words.
USMS has no official stance, just seeking to spark thoughtful discussion on this topic. Please PM me if you have interest.
Thanks,
Laura
I've thought about this as well. I may not be in an official position of authority but as the only person on my team and in the water that is over the age of 18, I do act as a sort of mom to the kids (my coach is 35 but not in the water) which makes me a de-facto authority figure. We've had some changes to my team lately and I worried that they would ask me to leave as an adult on a kids team. Luckily, they have not.
Why don't you register with USA Swimming as an official and take the athlete protection course and become a S&T judge? That doesn't take very long and might set aside some concerns.
I'm glad the USA team that I'm thinking of joining up with isn't as hardcore as Kirk's team. It should be a good mix for me though. Now...just have to dig deep into the pockets to find enough :2cents: to make it happen. :chug:
You might be able to do what I do - since I only come in the mornings due to my work schedule (afternoon practice is at 2pm) I get to "only" pay the pre-senior rate instead of the senior rate - which saves me about $55/month. Good luck! It's totally an improvement over swimming solo!
In an effort to un-hijack this thread, I’ve moved unrelated posts to The Underside of the Lane Lines - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums. Let’s try to keep this on track.
I guess I didn't realize that masters members swimming at USA-S meets was controversial. Maybe it isn't very controversial and that's why Laura is having trouble finding someone? Some people live in LMSCs where the population of USMS members is sparse and masters meets are few and far between, and they go to USA-S meets out of necessity. Maybe in some places pool rentals are very high and only USA-S meets can get the attendance necessary to turn a profit (or at least avoid a large loss).
Let's assume neither of those scenarios apply. As someone who has been to both meets, my short take on the matter:
Advantages of USMS meets: more social interaction, generally more fun, more people I know, some events available (eg 50s stroke, 100 IM) that aren't at USA-S meets (personally I don't miss those events, but others might). While there is a certain novelty at being an old guy at a USA-S meet, it wears off quickly.
Advantages of USA-S meets: often better competition, the inspirational value a masters swimmer provides, spreading awareness that swimming can continue past college, the fact that some meets have a trials/finals format if you like that sort of thing.
I don't want to get the moderators mad with another tangent, but there is an issue that is related: Sanction vs Recognition. Say a club is interested in hosting a meet but would rather apply for USMS *recognition* rather than *sanction* in order to boost meet attendance (because sanctioned meets are limited to USMS members but recognized meets are not). What arguments could/should I use, if any, to convince them that sanction is the better choice? (Maybe it isn't.) This may be too technical a discussion for BSLL but, since USA-S meets are officially "recognized" meets, it is kind of related.
While there is a certain novelty at being an old guy at a USA-S meet, it wears off quickly.
That's probably true in many venues other than USA-S meets as well. :D
I don't want to get the moderators mad with another tangent, but there is an issue that is related: Sanction vs Recognition. Say a club is interested in hosting a meet but would rather apply for USMS *recognition* rather than *sanction* in order to boost meet attendance (because sanctioned meets are limited to USMS members but recognized meets are not). What arguments could/should I use, if any, to convince them that sanction is the better choice? (Maybe it isn't.) This may be too technical a discussion for BSLL but, since USA-S meets are officially "recognized" meets, it is kind of related.
Recognized meets makes life hell for the TT recorder. :bitching::bitching::bitching::bitching:
Recognized meets makes life hell for the TT recorder. :bitching::bitching::bitching::bitching:
Right, should have put this in the "minus" column for USA-S meets as well: it is harder to get your times submitted for Top 10 consideration, particularly if it is a bulkhead pool.
