I am new to swimming just started swimming seriously last year (I'm 33). I have never competed. I decided to join USMS and try a meet this year just to give myself something to work towards. I find the rules a bit overwhelming and I'm not fast at all. I just got my front crawl lap under 1 minute. I practice 1 hour 3 times per week. I have taken a few classes including a TI based class which really helped me.
My question is, at my age and with my experience how should I prepare to go to my first meet? Not just skill wise but to learn the rules and not make a total fool out of myself. :) Also, how friendly are the local or regional meets? Will my team be upset if I come in last? How competitive is it really?
Thank you!
Parents
Former Member
The rules are on this master's web site. Look for the topic rules on the homepage. Freestyle is the stroke that you are least likely to get DQ. You can swim it anyway you want. Just don't false start and if you do a flip turn make certain your feet touch the wall. I know when you are tried that you can barely touch the wall and do a turn o that's too faraway. I have done that but managed to have both my feet make it. I would suggest the 100 to 500 yard swims at the first me. The 50 yard takes a lot of speed and if you are not in too good of shape, the 1,000 and 1,650 can be killers.
The rules are on this master's web site. Look for the topic rules on the homepage. Freestyle is the stroke that you are least likely to get DQ. You can swim it anyway you want. Just don't false start and if you do a flip turn make certain your feet touch the wall. I know when you are tried that you can barely touch the wall and do a turn o that's too faraway. I have done that but managed to have both my feet make it. I would suggest the 100 to 500 yard swims at the first me. The 50 yard takes a lot of speed and if you are not in too good of shape, the 1,000 and 1,650 can be killers.
