meets

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?

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?