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!
Another suggestion: talk to the referee. They are there due to the love of the sport, not for fame and fortune. :) You should be able to find times to approach them, mention that this is your first meet, and ask basic questions. The refs at Illinois meets are great. (One pointed out a flaw in my butterfly turns, that if it got worse, would lead to disqualification in the future. So alerted, I got a chance to fix it before it became a problem.)
Another suggestion: talk to the referee. They are there due to the love of the sport, not for fame and fortune. :) You should be able to find times to approach them, mention that this is your first meet, and ask basic questions. The refs at Illinois meets are great. (One pointed out a flaw in my butterfly turns, that if it got worse, would lead to disqualification in the future. So alerted, I got a chance to fix it before it became a problem.)
