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.
I KNOW the posting was NOT aimed at Nadine!
I have been swimming Y Nats for a long time (my first was held in Cincinatti, whatever year that was) and I have seen it ALL at various Y Nats.
Since the venue is moved from place to place yearly, (it used to seem that it went north-south-north-south, etc., year to year) there will always be a large number of people attending from that particular locale. Just as an example, this was true in Milwaukee 5 years ago when a woman who lived in WI came to break all the records in my (her) age group. Why not? She enjoys competition and so do I.
I absolutely agree that much of the team-joining you see happens because people want to be on relays with people who live in their LMSC but have their own Y they belong to and are the only Master swimmer belonging there (or have no regular Y they belong to on a continuing basis.)
I believe the executive directors of the Y's must sign the entry saying that the team members have regular memberships,etc. with cards showing yearly expiration dates like everyone else at their Y. There is not to be any "special membership category" and violation/ineligibility is suppose to occur if this is not followed but I know many times this rule has been"stretched" (to say the least.) I have never heard of anyone being deemed ineligible but I do know the rule is not always followed.
Y Nationals are FUN!!! The spirit you feel there can not be matched.... people standing at the end of lanes urging ALL fellow swimmers on during races. It is great.
I KNOW the posting was NOT aimed at Nadine!
I have been swimming Y Nats for a long time (my first was held in Cincinatti, whatever year that was) and I have seen it ALL at various Y Nats.
Since the venue is moved from place to place yearly, (it used to seem that it went north-south-north-south, etc., year to year) there will always be a large number of people attending from that particular locale. Just as an example, this was true in Milwaukee 5 years ago when a woman who lived in WI came to break all the records in my (her) age group. Why not? She enjoys competition and so do I.
I absolutely agree that much of the team-joining you see happens because people want to be on relays with people who live in their LMSC but have their own Y they belong to and are the only Master swimmer belonging there (or have no regular Y they belong to on a continuing basis.)
I believe the executive directors of the Y's must sign the entry saying that the team members have regular memberships,etc. with cards showing yearly expiration dates like everyone else at their Y. There is not to be any "special membership category" and violation/ineligibility is suppose to occur if this is not followed but I know many times this rule has been"stretched" (to say the least.) I have never heard of anyone being deemed ineligible but I do know the rule is not always followed.
Y Nationals are FUN!!! The spirit you feel there can not be matched.... people standing at the end of lanes urging ALL fellow swimmers on during races. It is great.
