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