Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Former Member — Wed, 10 May 2006 08:58:27 GMT

Congtratulations on your Gold Medal! I was thinking that for sprint races you would probablly have to dive, but for the longer distances 400-1650 maybe the start is not as important as your pace.

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Former Member — Wed, 10 May 2006 08:43:55 GMT

Hi Paul, I usually dive, but one time I started in the water for the 1500 meter freestyle at USMS Long Course Nationals. We were swimming two-per-lane, and I thought it would be easier to start in the water. It was fun, and I even got a gold medal for it. Truth is, I was the only one in my age group that year, so I got first and last. It was the only time I've won an individual gold at Nationals...maybe I should start in the water more often. :) Swimmer Bill

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Former Member — Wed, 10 May 2006 08:09:06 GMT

Yeah,,me too...I've always heard that masters meets were a lot of fun and I was begining to see why.

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

mattson — Wed, 10 May 2006 03:49:25 GMT

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:

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Former Member — Tue, 09 May 2006 16:02:55 GMT

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

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Former Member — Tue, 09 May 2006 14:29:55 GMT

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!

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Former Member — Tue, 09 May 2006 13:29:05 GMT

Do not dive from the blocks if you are having shoulder issues. Been there, done that. It's not worth it.

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Former Member — Tue, 09 May 2006 06:08:15 GMT

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!!!!!

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

FindingMyInnerFish — Mon, 08 May 2006 10:50:28 GMT

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. ;)

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Former Member — Mon, 08 May 2006 09:36:48 GMT

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.

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Former Member — Mon, 08 May 2006 09:32:19 GMT

Thanks Jeff, is it common to see in pool starts?

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

knelson — Mon, 08 May 2006 05:36:10 GMT

It's pretty common to see swimmers do water starts in masters. Go for it! You'll fit in just fine.

RE: Racing Starts at USMS Meets.

Jeff Commings — Mon, 08 May 2006 04:53:08 GMT

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.