May/June cover of USMS Swimmer

Originally posted by courtney ....It appears the only meet is world's in CA. ...I will be swimming unattached. Any input? I’m curious where you got the idea that the only upcoming meet was “world’s in CA”. Have you tried checking at USMS? www.usms.org/.../calendar.htm Or checked at a Zone or LMSC calendar or web site? www.usms.org/.../lmscwebsites.php When I joined USMS around Y2K the only event schedule I could readily find was the one at USMS, and it seemed the pickings were pretty slim, even if I was willing to travel great distances. I did not think to look at a Zone schedule (I did not understand USMS structure at the time), and my LMSC was not “wired” then, so getting local meet info was like pulling teeth. Most Zone and LMSC webs are pretty thorough about posting meet info on the web these days however, so I’m betting if you scrounge around you’ll find plenty of local meets. If you can’t find the info on your own then try contacting various folks at your LMSC until someone replies. Here is a really easy page to jump to various LMSC info (like lists of officers, etc.): http://www.usms.org/lmsc/ Swimming unattached is no big deal at most meets. If you show up at a local meet unattached you will likely find folks introducing themselves and asking if you want to join their team. It is a good deal as they get your points and you get a chance to swim relays. It really does not matter if you are fast or slow, team trophies generally go to whatever team shows up with the most bodies (or has the most event entries), and relays can really add to cumulative team points in huge way. You can change your status to being a team member anytime, but you have to fill out a form and wait a few weeks for it to be processed (and you will get a new membership card). You have to be officially registered with a team before you can participate in relays in USMS. You can also just wait till the next time you re-register with USMS (next year) and send in your team affiliation then. Most teams will accept you onto their roster at no charge if you practice on your own, but it is best to ask (if you are not invited) before making an affiliation. Joining the local team that is most active at meets (and that "travels well" too) will assure you better chances at participating in relays. But you may prefer to support an underdog team, as it can make things more interesting.

Originally posted by courtney ....It appears the only meet is world's in CA. ...I will be swimming unattached. Any input? I’m curious where you got the idea that the only upcoming meet was “world’s in CA”. Have you tried checking at USMS? www.usms.org/.../calendar.htm Or checked at a Zone or LMSC calendar or web site? www.usms.org/.../lmscwebsites.php When I joined USMS around Y2K the only event schedule I could readily find was the one at USMS, and it seemed the pickings were pretty slim, even if I was willing to travel great distances. I did not think to look at a Zone schedule (I did not understand USMS structure at the time), and my LMSC was not “wired” then, so getting local meet info was like pulling teeth. Most Zone and LMSC webs are pretty thorough about posting meet info on the web these days however, so I’m betting if you scrounge around you’ll find plenty of local meets. If you can’t find the info on your own then try contacting various folks at your LMSC until someone replies. Here is a really easy page to jump to various LMSC info (like lists of officers, etc.): http://www.usms.org/lmsc/ Swimming unattached is no big deal at most meets. If you show up at a local meet unattached you will likely find folks introducing themselves and asking if you want to join their team. It is a good deal as they get your points and you get a chance to swim relays. It really does not matter if you are fast or slow, team trophies generally go to whatever team shows up with the most bodies (or has the most event entries), and relays can really add to cumulative team points in huge way. You can change your status to being a team member anytime, but you have to fill out a form and wait a few weeks for it to be processed (and you will get a new membership card). You have to be officially registered with a team before you can participate in relays in USMS. You can also just wait till the next time you re-register with USMS (next year) and send in your team affiliation then. Most teams will accept you onto their roster at no charge if you practice on your own, but it is best to ask (if you are not invited) before making an affiliation. Joining the local team that is most active at meets (and that "travels well" too) will assure you better chances at participating in relays. But you may prefer to support an underdog team, as it can make things more interesting.