I've been following the postings here for a while and I'd like to find out how people feel about the YMCA Nationals. I've participated in the Y-Nationals for years and one thing really bugs me. Every year there are "Ringers" - swimmers who don't actually belong to or swim with a YMCA. They shop around for a Y willing to give them a cheap deal, all so they can swim at the meet. Y-Nationals is supposed to be an event for YMCA members and YMCA's who sponser a team.
I don't undersatnd why a YMCA would sign all the forms for these swimmers and I don't understand why these swimmers feel the need to pretend they are YMCA members.
Does anybody else think this is cheating?
Thanks,
a real YMCA swimmer.
Parents
Former Member
Nadine brings up such a valid point, about the Y's not even caring whether they have masters swimmers or not. I am not sure if it's not caring, or that they are just totally uninformed about the whole masters program.
I started the masters team at our Y and it has taken over two years to get TEN people to come to practice regularly! How many go to meets? Usually one: me. But, we're a tight group, and hopefully we'll all be friends for many years. We managed to host a meet last spring and over 50 swimmers participated, including eight on our team. Woo-hoo!!! But, it's a start.
You know what would be cool: if at the Y nationals, they let you swim on relays with other swimmers there who don't have enough for a relay. They could have sign-up sheets according to age groups. They could be different events than the "legitimate" relays, so there could be awards given, but not points. God, that would be a hoot! What could bring people closer together, and embody the spirit of the YMCA mission, than to swim with folks you don't even know, all striving to do their best.
Ever the optimist...
Nadine brings up such a valid point, about the Y's not even caring whether they have masters swimmers or not. I am not sure if it's not caring, or that they are just totally uninformed about the whole masters program.
I started the masters team at our Y and it has taken over two years to get TEN people to come to practice regularly! How many go to meets? Usually one: me. But, we're a tight group, and hopefully we'll all be friends for many years. We managed to host a meet last spring and over 50 swimmers participated, including eight on our team. Woo-hoo!!! But, it's a start.
You know what would be cool: if at the Y nationals, they let you swim on relays with other swimmers there who don't have enough for a relay. They could have sign-up sheets according to age groups. They could be different events than the "legitimate" relays, so there could be awards given, but not points. God, that would be a hoot! What could bring people closer together, and embody the spirit of the YMCA mission, than to swim with folks you don't even know, all striving to do their best.
Ever the optimist...
