Frequently Asked Questions
How can I achieve a qualifying time?
To enter the FINA World Masters Championships you must have swum the qualifying time at a swim meet some time in the last two years. No proof of time is required.
What is the penalty for not making the qualifying time?
The results will show “No Time” (NT). There are no other penalties.
Can I swim a qualifying time in a short course pool?
Yes. There are many formulas on-line that will give you an estimate
of what the time converts to long course meters by taking your short
course time.
Is this a long course meet or short course meet?
It is a long course Meters meet.
How many events can I enter?
You can only enter five individual events and three relays events.
You may only swim in two individual events per day.
How many relays can I swim?
You can only swim in three relay events.
Do all members of the relay have to belong to the same club?
Yes, all swimmers must belong to the same club.
I belong to two different clubs in two different federations. Can I swim on a relay for each club?
No, you must declare a club when you enter the meet. All of your
swims will be for that club.
Can I swim "unattached" (not belonging to any club)?
No, you must be a member of a club to swim.
I coach a club. I do not know who will be able to attend. Will I be
able to substitute a swimmer? How will that affect the seed time?
Coach/team representatives must enter a team and a time by the meet
entry deadline and a preliminary list of the names of the swimmers.
The names of the swimmer may be changed until 1pm the day before the
meet.
The relays are pre-seeded. Your seed time will not change.
I need a letter of invitation to get a visa. Who do I contact?
Send your request for a letter of invitation to:
Tracy Grilli
XI FINA World Masters Championships
9 Wiley Hill Road
PO Box 185
Londonderry NH 03053-0185
USA
FAX: 01 603 537 0204
Email: usms@usms.org
You should send her a copy of your registration/travel permit issued by your federation and a copy of a government issued identification card
General Questions
When is the entry deadline?
The entry deadline is Saturday, 3 June 2006.
What are the dates of competition?
Tuesday, 1 August – Thursday, 17 August 2006. Opening Ceremonies for all sports will take place on Thursday, 3 August 2006. For a detailed schedule of each event, please refer to the schedule of events on the website, in the registration book, or the pamphlet.
Do I need to be affiliated with FINA to participate?
Yes, all Masters competitors must be registered with a FINA Member Federation and provide proof with a Masters License or club Registration Card.
What airport(s) should I fly into?
The International Airports are San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland. The San Francisco and San Jose airports are the closest airports and are equidistant from Palo Alto (Stanford University).
How do I volunteer?
Sign up on the website www.2006finamasters.org
How can I get in touch with the FINA World Masters Championships office?
You can send an email to: questions@2006finamasters.org or send a fax to 2006 FINA Masters Organizing Committee at 01-650-856-6816.
What if my family is traveling with me?
If your family is not attending the event, there are a lot of things to do in the Bay Area. Please refer to our website for additional ideas and tours.
May I purchase merchandise before the event?
There is a limited collection on the website. The full collection will be available at the event.
Is there parking available onsite?
There is limited parking on site. Please try to use public transportation or the shuttles.
I have a mobile home, is it possible for me to park it on the Stanford Campus for the duration of my stay?
There are no opportunities to park a mobile home on the Stanford grounds. However there may be opportunities at various trailer parks in the surrounding areas.
Swimming
What are the qualifying times?
Please refer to the swimming standards in the Registration Book on the website.
Open Water Swim
Are there qualifying times for the Open Water Swim Event?
There are no specific qualifying times for open water, but it is suggested that if you cannot swim 3 kilometers within 90 minutes, you should not attempt the race.
How far is the open water swim?
The open water swim is 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long.
What is the water temperature for the open water swim?
The temperature of the water for the open water swim is 21-23 degrees Celsius (69-71 degrees Fahrenheit).
Water Polo
Are there any entry restrictions?
Teams may list up to 13 players on their team entry from to participate in any game of this tournament. A player may only represent one team during competition.
May women play on a men’s team?
Yes, women may be a member of a men’s team.
Do all the players have to be from one club?
Yes, all players must be registered from one club. Competitors can only compete for one club per discipline. Competitors can register with another club for the purpose of competing in a different discipline i.e. Swimming, Diving, Open Water Swimming or Synchronized Swimming.
Diving
What are the entry restrictions?
A diver may enter a maximum of three diving events: the 1-M springboard, 3-M springboard and the platform.
When is the technical meeting?
Saturday, August 12th at 10:00 am at the Avery Aquatic Center.
Synchronized Swimming
When is the technical meeting?
The technical meeting is on Friday, August 11 at 3:00pm at the Avery Aquatic Center.
What is the minimum and maximum number of teammates?
Each team shall consist of a minimum of four and a maximum of eight members.
What are the characteristics of the pool for Synchronized Swimming?
Length: 37 meters
Width: 20 meters
Depth: 2.9 meters to 4.1 meters
