Today I heard that a swimming pool "back east" had been recently measured and found to be too short. Further, the rumor continues, any records set in that facility are alleged to be dis-allowed. True? False? Who knows the real skinny on this ?
Bert
What Skip says is true. It is the pool where we had a Masters meet in 2001 and 2002. In 2002, we had several world records. The pool management had a certificate of length and all lanes were approximately 24.99. This was one of the pools/incidents that prompted the Rules change to require measurement of pools for Masters meets.
Obviously, the aquatic director knew. Several Masters swimmers officiate the high school meets. Everyone involvled knew the pool was not 25m. However, since the previous records were allowed, no one seemed concerned. The USA-Swimming certifying official asked me if I had a copy of the measurement. I did and sent a copy. No times were certified.
The local newspaper (Virginian Pilot) has had some interesting news. There are two other pools like this one in question. The measurements on the other two are too long. I am curious how it would work out with touch pads. But today's paper said the school system and the city were considering fixing the pool in question. They are investigating replacing tile or installing a moveable bulkhead to make the pool 25 yards. I am really interested in this and hopeful because the city engineer quoted was a USS referee when his son swam age group and college. At least he knows about competition.
When the pools were built, the swimming community begged the city to make one yards instead of meters. The attitude at that time was that these pools would not be used for competition. How things change. We now have high school swimming and an active winter league. Plus, we were able to use the pool for the 2 Masters meets.
It is unfortunate that Va Beach has gotten such publicity, and it it is terrible for swimmers to miss out on records and All American honors, but it is good to make everyone aware of the measurement requirements. If the pool here is altered to make it official, some good will come of it.
Betsy Durrant
What Skip says is true. It is the pool where we had a Masters meet in 2001 and 2002. In 2002, we had several world records. The pool management had a certificate of length and all lanes were approximately 24.99. This was one of the pools/incidents that prompted the Rules change to require measurement of pools for Masters meets.
Obviously, the aquatic director knew. Several Masters swimmers officiate the high school meets. Everyone involvled knew the pool was not 25m. However, since the previous records were allowed, no one seemed concerned. The USA-Swimming certifying official asked me if I had a copy of the measurement. I did and sent a copy. No times were certified.
The local newspaper (Virginian Pilot) has had some interesting news. There are two other pools like this one in question. The measurements on the other two are too long. I am curious how it would work out with touch pads. But today's paper said the school system and the city were considering fixing the pool in question. They are investigating replacing tile or installing a moveable bulkhead to make the pool 25 yards. I am really interested in this and hopeful because the city engineer quoted was a USS referee when his son swam age group and college. At least he knows about competition.
When the pools were built, the swimming community begged the city to make one yards instead of meters. The attitude at that time was that these pools would not be used for competition. How things change. We now have high school swimming and an active winter league. Plus, we were able to use the pool for the 2 Masters meets.
It is unfortunate that Va Beach has gotten such publicity, and it it is terrible for swimmers to miss out on records and All American honors, but it is good to make everyone aware of the measurement requirements. If the pool here is altered to make it official, some good will come of it.
Betsy Durrant
