New Omega Backstroke Start Device

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

jackback — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 05:04:12 GMT

just for the heck of it i emailed "Colorado Timing" to see if they had any "ledge/wedge" in the works. to my amazement they got back to me and the response was: "We anticipate our first run of product to be available later in September, but will begin taking pre-orders at the American Swimming Coaches Association World Clinic in a couple of weeks" they sent me a MOV file of the device in use (that i could not upload to the forums):bouncing: and it looks very easy to use and retracts automatically. i can't wait !

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Former Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 16:21:14 GMT

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Stickum incident In 1980, Hayes was involved in a stickum incident. Stickum is a sticky adhesive substance that was introduced to Hayes when he was a rookie in 1977 by Hall of Fame wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff. But instead of just using a little on his hands to help him hold onto the football, Hayes also started slathering it all over his arms and even on his uniform, drawing more and more attention to himself and the gooey Stickum. In 1980, Hayes intercepted 13 passes during the regular season and five more in the playoffs as the Raiders went on to win Super Bowl XV. Hayes was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. A year later, in 1981, the NFL banned stickum from the league. It has remained banned since then. It looks like he went pretty overboard with it!: farm4.staticflickr.com/.../2905539854_6a64b8e384_b.jpg

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Former Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 15:26:02 GMT

Is this known as the "Lester Hayes" rule? :) Desperate times call for desperate measures. Stickum incident In 1980, Hayes was involved in a stickum incident. Stickum is a sticky adhesive substance that was introduced to Hayes when he was a rookie in 1977 by Hall of Fame wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff. But instead of just using a little on his hands to help him hold onto the football, Hayes also started slathering it all over his arms and even on his uniform, drawing more and more attention to himself and the gooey Stickum. In 1980, Hayes intercepted 13 passes during the regular season and five more in the playoffs as the Raiders went on to win Super Bowl XV. Hayes was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. A year later, in 1981, the NFL banned stickum from the league. It has remained banned since then.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

sunruh — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:46:51 GMT

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Rob Copeland — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:49:45 GMT

hey rob copeland ... would you happen to have the wording of the rule that will allow this "ledge/wedge". i'm supposing that it can't be product specific as that would make the incestuous relationship of FINA - OMEGA even worse. is there a possibility that the rule could have equipment adaptable to the hang off the gutter touch pads that are prevalent in the US (even it was just for the 2-4 cm under the surface of the water levels)The wording can be found on the FINA web site FINA.org www.fina.org/.../index.php And I assume the ruling would be applicable to non-FINA walls (with gutters) as well as FINA walls.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

jackback — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:12:57 GMT

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

jackback — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 01:21:01 GMT

thanks for the info rob ... i'm not so sure this will be applicable to pads that hang on the gutter ... it seems very specific to the Omega pads. for one, with a hang on the gutter pad you can't get the full 8 cm range of adjustment stated in the description/rule (probably the 2 and 4 cm below the water might be able to be done but not the "level with the water level" or above as you would not be able to place your toes against the pad). the devil will be in the details when it comes to the US style end wall gutters and pads.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Former Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:55:36 GMT

A little dab of pine tar is all you need. Your shoes might stick to your feet, but you'll never slide off of a timing pad again.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

jackback — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:39:35 GMT

Thanks for the video post Chris ... i agree with you, this was the worst slip i've ever seen or done ... an earlier poster mentioned the dive off the blocks start ... i doubt that FINA would pull the rug out from OMEGA at this point ... but FINA could throw us a bone by allowing the curling of our toes on the gutter rather then adding the expense of retrofitting all the blocks in the US that have simple hang off the gutter touch pads ... i have never been a fan of FINA

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Rob Copeland — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:16:15 GMT

... I really don't understand why Omega can't change the design going forward.I understand why Omega doesn’t change their design, but without going into boring detail about materials science and slat and tape switch vs mesh separation designs, suffice it to say you most likely won’t see dramatic changes in Omega pads soon. This may be some of why FINA approved the wedge.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

knelson — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 11:33:16 GMT

Is this known as the "Lester Hayes" rule? :)

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Chris Stevenson — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:15:12 GMT

It seems like a simpler solution would be to just make the Omega pads more tacky (something like Colorado pads). Every backstroker I know thinks Omega pads are evil.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

jpetyk — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:13:54 GMT

That was painful to watch. She ended up making a good showing despite the horrific start.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

knelson — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:11:36 GMT

It seems like a simpler solution would be to just make the Omega pads more tacky (something like Colorado pads). That wouldn't help the situation with all the Omega pads currently in use, but I really don't understand why Omega can't change the design going forward.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

jackback — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 09:40:29 GMT

The rules might have that covered: 102.12 Swimwear for Pool Competition 102.12.1 Design E No swimmer is permitted to wear or use any device or substance to enhance speed, pace, buoyancy, or endurance during a race (such as webbed gloves, fins, power bands, adhesive substances, snorkels, neoprene caps, etc.). Goggles may be worn, and rubdown oil applied if not considered excessive by the referee. Medical identification items may be worn. Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the referee.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Chris Stevenson — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 09:31:06 GMT

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Former Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 06:03:34 GMT

... but without going into boring detail about materials science and slat and tape switch vs mesh separation designs... Huh? What is "slat and tape switch?" What is a "mesh separation design?"

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

orca1946 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 02:49:32 GMT

If she can blow a start, how we we mere mortals to do it all the time?

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Sportygeek — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 01:03:24 GMT

I had the pleasure of watching 4x50 SCM backstroke relays last week. First swimmer in each relay team did a standard backstroke start; second, third and fourth swimmers did dive starts.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

jackback — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 06:39:01 GMT

I did not notice the use of the backstroke ledge during the weekends broadcast of the phillips 66 swim championship. I believe one of the gals slipped at the start of the 200 back A finals, but I did not see it. Shortly we probably will start seeing the ledge at meets and then what would be the point of not allowing toes over the gutter that most pools in the US have. I suppose we would have to keep our heels in the water to prevent that wonderful back dive from a standing position which probably has an intolerable risk of injury. I'm thinking the cost of this device adapted to the vast majority of US pools would be a foolish use of resources when we generally have a "ledge" already available to us. Certainly the ledge was a good solution to the "FINA wall Omega pad" problem. I do not look forward to a time of selecting meets with the criteria of availability of the ledge at certain pools. That said I had been thinking of not competing in backstroke this year as the SCY Nats will be swum outdoors and after seeing Phelp's and Clary swim into the lane line I'm convinced. It will be fly this year hopefully my shoulders hang in there

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Chris Stevenson — Thu, 08 May 2014 07:17:32 GMT

To Chris' point... if you can dive start, and only the first stroke needs be on your back, and with the "new" turn, that would leave, what, maybe two actual strokes on the back in the first 25? Then SDK for 2/3 of the next length off the wall and maybe another four strokes and the 50 is done! (Somehow, that doesn't seem like the backstroke I knew all those years ago....) It would be the same number of strokes either way since the 15m rule would still apply.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

sunruh — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:18:47 GMT

you can only UDK for 12.5m. that is another rule.

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Redbird Alum — Thu, 08 May 2014 02:13:31 GMT

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

jim thornton — Sat, 03 May 2014 12:05:51 GMT

Of course they could avoid ALL OF THIS if they just allow backstrokers to dive from the blocks! Just have a rule that you have to be on your back before the first stroke. That's a rule change I could get behind! Intriguing suggestion. Your backstroke and fly times are always pretty close--a backstroke dive would give backstroke an advantage. The other thing about this that would be nice--granted, in one of those imaginary universes that comic books occasionally use when the run out of ideas for their superheroes--is that the order of a medley relay would no longer require backstrokers to start first. This would, in my view, open up a whole other possibility: strategic medley relay swimming, where each team would be free to pick its own order just so long as each of the four strokes are swum. You might, for instance, want to start with your freestyler in hopes of getting as much clear water as possible for your team. Or maybe you could start with breaststroke, be a little behind, but give the other teams that creepy sense that you are fast catching up, causing them to panic. Who knows? But it could add an intellectual component to swimming competition that, god only knows, is somewhat lacking now!

RE: New Omega Backstroke Start Device

Chris Stevenson — Sat, 03 May 2014 10:47:17 GMT

which is why I think they should change it back to the good ol' days when you could curl your toes. this new gadget will let you get the same type of leverage, now with more cost. Yes, I was replying to a post about changing that rule. I think I am for eliminating that rule although none of the meets I usually go to have gutters I could take advantage of. I don't think FINA ever allowed the "curling of the toes", in the US it was only allowed in SCY meets while LCM meets obeyed FINA rules (when I was young, the whole foot had to be submerged). I imagine the reason for FINA's rule is the one that Arthur mentions in passing: many -- maybe most -- of the pools internationally didn't have gutters at the end of the pool so they didn't want to give an unfair advantage to people (maybe mostly in the US?) who competed in pools that did. In the old days in SCY meets I enjoyed stand-up starts a lot. But I am glad that now the rules are consistent between courses. Now if they'd only move those backstroke flags to 5m for SCY pools...! Of course they could avoid ALL OF THIS if they just allow backstrokers to dive from the blocks! Just have a rule that you have to be on your back before the first stroke. That's a rule change I could get behind!