meets

Hey Hooked: There are all type of Masters meets available depending on where you live. Generally speaking, many Masters meets are open to all USMS members. While there are qualifying times for USMS National Meets, you may still participate in three events even if you do not meet or exceed a qualifying time for a particular event, e.g., 100 yard butterly. A qualifying time is a time that is set for which an event is to be swam for swimmer to be eligible to swim. So, if a qualifying time for a 100-yard butterfly is, for the sake of an example only, set at 00:35.5 seconds, that means a swimmer must meet that time or faster. This number is usually based on a swimmer's past best time. Regarding your comment on "levels of competition," you must remember that these USMS meets are for all levels of competition, regardless of ability. That's the most thing about USMS . . . open to all levels of swimmers. For almost three years now, I have been going to meets when I can and I can assure you that I am no "animal" in the pool. But, these meets are an incentive for me to improve, even in increments. I can assure you that there are lots of folks with all different levels of ability. Addtionally, I never, ever once have seen anyone belittled because of their ability. Period. The fact that you got yourself to that pool, put yourself on that block and swam your event make you a winner. You will have done something that 95% of people would not have the guts to do. You need not apologize for your "ignorance." These are the same questions many of us, including myself, have asked when we were "newbies." Be yourself and give it a try. You won't regret it and will do just fine. I am sure there are many others out there who will tell you the same thing. How about it, folks? Check your USMS Private Message area. I basically sent you the same thing.

Originally posted by Mark in MD Hey Hooked: There are all type of Masters meets available depending on where you live. Generally speaking, many Masters meets are open to all USMS members. While there are qualifying times for USMS National Meets, you may still participate in three events even if you do not meet or exceed a qualifying time for a particular event, e.g., 100 yard butterly. A qualifying time is a time that is set for which an event is to be swam for swimmer to be eligible to swim. So, if a qualifying time for a 100-yard butterfly is, for the sake of an example only, set at 00:35.5 seconds, that means a swimmer must meet that time or faster. This number is usually based on a swimmer's past best time. Regarding your comment on "levels of competition," you must remember that these USMS meets are for all levels of competition, regardless of ability. That's the most thing about USMS . . . open to all levels of swimmers. For almost three years now, I have been going to meets when I can and I can assure you that I am no "animal" in the pool. But, these meets are an incentive for me to improve, even in increments. I can assure you that there are lots of folks with all different levels of ability. Addtionally, I never, ever once have seen anyone belittled because of their ability. Period. The fact that you got yourself to that pool, put yourself on that block and swam your event make you a winner. You will have done something that 95% of people would not have the guts to do. You need not apologize for your "ignorance." These are the same questions many of us, including myself, have asked when we were "newbies." Be yourself and give it a try. You won't regret it and will do just fine. I am sure there are many others out there who will tell you the same thing. How about it, folks? Check your USMS Private Message area. I basically sent you the same thing. Thanks a lot for the info, Mark.I did check the other message in my private log, too.Thanks again.By the way, I am going to surprise you again here with another question: how do you become a USMS swimmer?

Hi Hooked, You're awesome. I'm glad you're interested in swimming. It's a great lifetime sport. We had our short course meters championships this past weekend in N. California and there were many people who competed (40 years old, plus) for the first time. We had some great discussions while the 1500 m was being swum. One included swimming vocabulary. Doug wasn't sure about the difference between a lap and a length. Many people were happy to tell him that they are the same thing. You will always find a Masters swimmer to help out when you need it! Welcome to a wonderful sport, and some of the neatest people you'll ever meet. Karen PS There was a 90 year old man who competed who did not look a day over 70! He was in the most amazing shape and very inspiring :)

Dima, Click here to go to the Wisconsin LMSC. This should provide you with the information you need pertaining to your locale. Cheers! Mark

1. Go to US masters web site: http://www.usms.org 2. Read for the section that states: Join USMS Membership in USMS is administered by your Local Masters Swim Committee (LMSC). To join USMS, you may find registration information on your LMSC web site, or you will need to contact your local Registrar. To find either of these, check the LMSC Info page. If no local web site is listed, check the officers listing to find out how to contact your local Registrar. 3. Click on the LMSC web site link. 4. Pick you state on the poorly color cordinated map of the US and that will take you to the regional group that swims in your area. Each web site has a "join" section and just fill out the regestration and send in the dues and you are all set!

This is great. O.K. The last meet I competed in was in college: I'm now 46. I hope to work up to the point where I can swim a 100 fly and just finish. The coach where i work out says I'm pretty ambitious (wow! thanks alot!). Now I have two questions based on the USMS web site, the nearest masters team is in the next county. If I want to compete, do I join that team even though I don't know them and will probably never meet them? Or, is it better to go unattached. In an event, like the 100 fly, how many entries are there, average? Is it co-ed. and what are ranges of times. In the first reply, the writer quoted a very low time for the 100 fly of like 35 seconds. As you can see, this is my first try at this discussion board.

Hey Hooked! I just wanted to say that I think it's awesome what you are doing and that you gave me the extra kick in the pants that I needed to start competeing. I've been on a several years hiatus from swimming, but now that I'm back I wanted to compete but wasn't sure how to go about it, and I wasn't sure if I would make a complete fool out of myself. But by reading your posts and seeing that there are other people out there in the same situation, it has helped me to gain the courage that I was lacking. So I just wanted to say thanx and good luck in your meets!! ~Kyra