Hi, I am somewhat new to Masters Swimming. I swam competitively ( somewhat!) when I was younger but for the last 30 years have been a fitness lap swimmer ( 1650yds @ 24: 30 ) I have done a few postal challenges and have been thinking about competing in a meet, it has been 30 years since I have started off a block or dove at all because I have a bad shoulder. Long story already but do they allow in water starts? Is this to geeky to even show up at a meet? Do I just have to figure out how to dive without dislocating my shoulder? I train alone so don't have access to blocks. Any help would be GREAT! I have really been enjoying my swimming and trying to get faster, fun after 30 years of just fitness swimming. Thanks, Paul
From the USMS rule book:
The forward start may be taken from the starting block, the pool deck, or a push from the wall. At the commencement of each heat, the referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles to remove all clothing except for swimwear, followed by a long whistle indicating that they should take their positions with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform, the edge of the pool, or on the wall before the command “Take your mark.” Those starting in the water must have at least one hand in contact with the wall or starting block.
If you have reservations about your shoulder I would not worry about what is common. If you try to blend in with a dive start and wind up hurting yourself, you will wish you had just started in the pool.
I'm a masters' swimming newbie--and really NO competitive experience from my (wild and misspent) youth. Did my FIRST swim meet last year, and so my coach talked me through a couple of practice dives off the block... but I still felt uneasy, so on my first event, I went off the side of the pool... and my goggles came off. Now, swimming a 50 w/out goggles isn't the disaster that swimming a 400 without goggles might be (can you say "red-eye"). But still, it doesn't make the task any easier. So the next event I started in the pool. And wasn't any faster, but at least I could see.
Went to my second meet and took my dive off the side of the pool which seemed to be fine, since I chose an old pair of goggles that I'd abandoned because they gave me a headache... but they DID STAY ON. And I achieved the small measure of respectability that diving into rather than starting from in the pool allowed... and I repeat... small. But the key, I decided, was survival, not making it look pretty.
And if I looked dorky b/c of my choices, I figure, no big deal, since as a newcomer, you're allowed a certain amount of dorkiness. ;)
Hey Paul - I just noticed you live in Napa. I am SO jealous!
I'm coming to Calif. in September - 1st to LA for the NE v. USC game, then to Sonoma for some badly needed R&R. My dream is to retire in Sonoma County.
Lucky you!!!!!
Trust me, no one will laugh or point fingers or judge you if you start in the pool. There is a reason that it is allowed. I've seen many people start in the pool, off the side of the blocks and/or on the blocks - it is just the way it is.
Don't let this stop you from competing - your workout time for 1650 is very good. You will be surprised at how fun it is and the comaraderie between swimmers. Everyone is there to have a good time and to challenge themselves. I've yet to meet anyone that is disingenuous.
Keep us informed of how you do in your first meet!
Thanks for all the replies and support. I like longer distance swims ( 500, 800 etc. ) so based on all your replies I think the in water start will work. Thanks again, I look forward to my first meet in 30 years. Paul
Originally posted by Jeff Commings
the referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles to remove all clothing except for swimwear...
I almost missed the "except for swimwear"... :eek:
