Hey everybody! Im starting to feel confident enough in myself that I want to go to a meet, however the only meets I have heard about are the National ones, and, needless to say, I don't think that would be the ideal first meet. So does any one know of any smaller meets coming up soon? How much do they cost on average (im a poor student so cheap is good)? What kinds of times should I try and have? And my last kinda dumb question, if you do happen to get DQ'd...do you at least get to finish the race or do they pull you out immediately? My goal for now is to go to a meet, compete in a race and finish...place has no value at this point. Thanx!!!
~Kyra
p.s. I live in Idaho...so this side of the country meets would be good.:D
Try contacting Sawtooth Masters: www.ymcasawtoothmasters.org/
or Utah Masters: http://www.utahmasters.org
Maybe one of them has a meet coming up you could enter.
Here's a good resource on USMS to look for places with masters teams and the local governing bodies: http://www.usms.org/lmsc/
As for diving from the blocks, it isn't much different, but many "first-timers" have trouble keeping goggles on until they have some experience. In masters meets it's perfectly acceptable to start from the water, or the pool deck, rather than the blocks if you want to.
I think the reason most people lose their goggles on the start is they are looking out rather than down. This also tends to cause a "belly flop" dive. So, concentrate on looking down at the water right before you enter on the start.
While you are swimming your head should be in line with your spine, so you should be looking directly down at the bottom of the pool (for crawl stroke, anyway).
Seagurl51,
This might be a bit too far for you to travel but you are part of the Northwest Zone and we have a zone championship meet coming up Nov 13th and 14th in Portland. Don't let the title of "championship" frighten you. It's just another meet. It would be a good place for you to get started, though. We also have HOST (house our swimmers tonight) that you can participate in and that will save you hotel costs. I tried to attach the entry form but it was too big. If you want it, let me know and I can email it to you. If you have any questions, let me know, too. And best of luck, no matter where you decide to get your feet wet the first time.
Alison
Kyra, Great that you are close enough to Portland to make a trip. The basic entry fee is $18. There are extra charges if you are entering more than 6 events. The number to call for HOST is on the entry form that I emailed you. Ginger can help you out. And yes, you can go unattached. The only restriction is that you can't swim on a relay if you are unattached.
Maybe I'll see you at the meet. I haven't decided if I'll swim since I'm 4 months pregnant and on exercise restrictions (1 hour a week until I start to gain the weight I've lost). But even if I don't swim, I may stop by and visit.
Alison
Also...if/when I do go to a meet...I've never dove of blocks before. How different are they compared to diving off walls? Is there some way that I can practice what it's like to dive off a block from the wall? (maybe i'll just stick with backstroke and not worry about it;) )
Thanx! I'll definatley check those out. And you reminded me of something that I forgot to ask but have been having problems with...how do you keep your googles on? Mine either get pulled down or smashed into my face (which hurts). Any suggestions on how to hold my head cuz im assuming thats my problem.
~Kyra
Actually Portlands not that far so that would be great! Please do e-mail me the entry form. My address is Seagurl51@aol.com. How do I get involved with the HOST thing? Also does the meet have a fee that I have to pay or are all the expenses basically lodging, travel, and food? Thanx so much for the info!!
~Kyra
p.s. one last thing...can I go unattached?
It said on the entry form that the meet was for swimmer aged 19 and older, but I'll only be 18 and a half at the time of the meet. How strict are they on the age thing? Cuz I really want to go, so im worried I won't be able too. Thanx!!
~Kyra
