Tips if this is your first International meet

RE: Tips if this is your first International meet

mattson — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 08:07:32 GMT

Originally posted by Nancy Ridout It’s different than a PMS meet! :eek: Oh, Pacific Masters... nevermind...

RE: Tips if this is your first International meet

Jim Clemmons — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 07:46:15 GMT

It’s different than a PMS meet! Oh, Pacific Masters... nevermind... We knew that would get someone's attention Mark.

RE: Tips if this is your first International meet

Former Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 09:57:14 GMT

Take Nancy's advice to heart, even if you are experienced. All meets are different, Worlds are very different. In Brisbane, my first event was my best: 50 brst. Timeline indicated a late morning start, aha, I don't have to get up early and warm up at 6, or whatever ungodly hour it was, showed up & tried to warm up with hordes in a tiny shallow pool that was all that was available; went directly into marshalling (which took a half-hour), so when I stepped up on the blocks I had exactly one heat of studying starter etc. As I went into my crouch and we were started I heard, while in mid-air, a repeated electronic boop-boop, that I assumed was a false start signal so I relaxed, took a nice long leisurely pull-out and came to a full floating stop. Everyone else kept swimming! The noise I heard was what the meet announcer did to 'key' the crowd to an important announcement, which I would have known had I taken time to study the competitive environment. Had I done a normal time for me at that time, I would have come second...

RE: Tips if this is your first International meet

Jeff Commings — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 07:40:30 GMT

Originally posted by chlorini This will be my first international meet, and I'm scared! So thank you for posting this! I do have a question. When you say, "Olympic (high) pads will be used and you won’t be able to turn using the gutters," what does this mean? I have never used this type of touch pad (unless I have without knowing it). For breaststroke, does that mean that you will hit the touch pad with your fingertips or flat palms and then just turn without grabbing anything? I think that's what it means, but I'm nervous and unsure. Thanks! Check out these photographs from the Olympics. You'll see the type of touchpads we'll be working with. You can't see underwater, but they extend about three more feet underwater. I would agree that turns are faster, though I can't imagine anyone preferring flat walls to gutters in the 400 IM! Natalie Coughlin Michael Phelps Katie Hoff

RE: Tips if this is your first International meet

phm41 — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 07:06:50 GMT

"Registration and Credentials opens at 12 noon on Aug. 1 - 6pm and will be open daily from 8:am - 5pm._ After Aug. 12, registration hours will be reduced and be posted here." This is what the FINA website says about getting credentials. If they open at 8:00 and the meet begins at 8:00 and we can't get in the pool without credentials, how do I warm up in the competition pool for the 200 back, which is the first event of the day? My flight gets in at 7:30 pm Friday and I am sure that is too late to register.

RE: Tips if this is your first International meet

Former Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 05:52:05 GMT

Nancy, This is excellent! Appreciate the gouge, as we in the Navy call it. What sort of trinkets are customary and appreciated by the other swimmers? What about timers. Matt

RE: Tips if this is your first International meet

jonblank — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 05:24:11 GMT

Originally posted by chlorini This will be my first international meet, and I'm scared! So thank you for posting this! I do have a question. When you say, "Olympic (high) pads will be used and you won’t be able to turn using the gutters," what does this mean? I have never used this type of touch pad (unless I have without knowing it). For breaststroke, does that mean that you will hit the touch pad with your fingertips or flat palms and then just turn without grabbing anything? I think that's what it means, but I'm nervous and unsure. Thanks! That's exactly what it means! The pads extend well above the waterline, so there's not really a chance to "grab" onto the gutter. Honestly, it will make for a faster turn, but it may take some getting used to. It'd be best to get used to it in the several days that remain BEFORE the event, though!! :D

RE: Tips if this is your first International meet

chlorini — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 05:19:56 GMT

This will be my first international meet, and I'm scared! So thank you for posting this! I do have a question. When you say, "Olympic (high) pads will be used and you won’t be able to turn using the gutters," what does this mean? I have never used this type of touch pad (unless I have without knowing it). For breaststroke, does that mean that you will hit the touch pad with your fingertips or flat palms and then just turn without grabbing anything? I think that's what it means, but I'm nervous and unsure. Thanks!

RE: Tips if this is your first International meet

Nancy Ridout — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 01:59:59 GMT

Matt, Timers and lap counters will be provided. However, we're in dire need of more volunteers - timers, credentialing, awards, etc. Anything you or your friends can do will be greatly appreciated and rewarded with shirt, snacks, beverages, and one meal per shift. Go to www.2006finamasters.org to look at what's needed and sign up. Trinkets can be caps, pins, something local, USMS will be giving out pins for our members to give away as well - 10 each I think. Being female, with a little leeway with these things, I got 12 of the cutest little ducks that light up when you move them or they get in the water. Very cute but not a guy thing. Thanks for asking! Nancy