Stupid Question - What's the difference between Masters & USA Swimming?
When can a Masters swimmer swim at a USA Swimming meet?
Do the young kids laugh/stare at the old folks?
This might be confusing.
They are two completely separate and autonomous groups, run by different executives, rules and bylaws. USA Swimming's headquarters are in Colorado Springs; US Masters' is in New Hampshire.
But ...
They are both governed by FINA.
If you want to compete in a USA Swimming meet, first make sure they have "Senior" age groups. If it stops at age 18, you can't swim in the meet. And you must complete a separate registration form to be a USA Swimming member.
The rules are almost all the same, except the breaststroke kick on butterfly. Often, US Masters waits to see what USAS does in terms of rules adoptions.
And, again, both bodies wait to see what FINA does, because their rules pretty much trump the rest if you want world records or want to be part of world rankings.
When in doubt, go with the FINA rules.
And people at USAS meets are always accommodating to masters swimmers, especially if you live in an area where very, very few masters meets happen.
Originally posted by MichiganHusker
Do the young kids laugh/stare at the old folks?
No, we laugh and stare at the young folks :)
I think it's worth joining USA-S if you like to compete in a lot of meets. Especially in the summer when USMS meets can be a little difficult to come by.
Susan,
I swam at a USA meet earlier this year. The response from both the parents and swimmers was great. In fact, some of the officials even applauded my efforts.
Some people have told me that they are separate bodies and some have told me that they are run under the same governing body. So, not sure which one is correct.
If they are separate groups, then you will need a USA membership. You can swim in any meet that is open, you that you have a qualifying time in those event(s).
John
Originally posted by born2fly
For the most part I have gotten positive remarks from the parents and the other coaches. I swim more USA swim meets than I do masters meets. I think the kids enjoy swimming against the old guy and maybe I push them a little harder than if they were swimming next to someone their age.
I have heard from some of my swim parents from parents of other teams some negative comments. Mainly at meets where it is a prelim/final competetion. Their gripe is that I knocked their little Johnny out of swimming at night in the finals. I have always told my coach that if I was last one to qualify and one of my team mates was first alternate, I would scratch and let that youngster swim. However, if it is someone from other team that is an alternate, I do not. Is this wrong, I do not know but it's what I go by.
Hey if "little Johnny" ain't fast enough to beat you he doesn't belong in the finals! I love to see older people at USA meets. Of course, we have Nadine swimming at ours, which is always fun to see!
For the most part I have gotten positive remarks from the parents and the other coaches. I swim more USA swim meets than I do masters meets. I think the kids enjoy swimming against the old guy and maybe I push them a little harder than if they were swimming next to someone their age.
I have heard from some of my swim parents from parents of other teams some negative comments. Mainly at meets where it is a prelim/final competetion. Their gripe is that I knocked their little Johnny out of swimming at night in the finals. I have always told my coach that if I was last one to qualify and one of my team mates was first alternate, I would scratch and let that youngster swim. However, if it is someone from other team that is an alternate, I do not. Is this wrong, I do not know but it's what I go by.
