Relays seem to spark controversy. Some people love them. Some people see them as an intrusion on their individual events. Some people are forced to scratch events to swim relays because of exhaustion. (I actually know a swimmer who practices with a team but won't officially join the team for fear of having to swim relays at zone or other big meets.) Some people "cherry pick" elite swimmers to set records in relays. Relays make meets run longer.
We're adults, not kids on a USS team. Do we really need relays at masters meets?
I've not actually swum on one, I should point out. I'm just wondering why masters swimmers bother when everyone seems to be gunning for PBs and swimming really seems like an individual sport.
Having said that, an open water relay seems oddly appealing. But that's because the relay is the event. I don't see whatyaall see in swimming lots of events and then adding on relays.
Former Member
Gosh, I hope not. I love relays because it is shared amongst our fellow swimmers and it sure seems to motivate the spectators in the stands. And I would never scratch one of my events for a relay, maybe just not give it 100% if it was close to an event for me, but nonetheless, help out my teammates. Relays are just fun and a good way to get swimmers new to Masters to get their feet wet in the competition arena.
And we are hoping to get a relay put together for the Roatan-Utila swim; right now we have two people committed, and a possible third one. And they will relay it over there.
Donna
i like relays.
they often stretch out meets and allow me to enter more individual events than i might otherwise.
at the zones meet, relays certainly create an advantage for the local clubs to score points. (we are eager to get on the road for that seven hour drive, and will scratch those end of sunday relays at the drop of a hat)
My LMSC, Missouri Valley, hosts an annual All-Relay meet. We swim ALL of the relays (except 200 LCM; the pool is too shallow at one end), ALL THREE courses, in one meet. We started it as a way to fill in the gaps in our LMSC records.
Swimmers have the option of either putting together their own 4-person teams, or entering "potluck". Several of us get together the day before to assemble the "potluck" relay teams. The swimmers don't know which teams they'll be on, or exactly what they'll be swimming, until they arrive at the meet. (We used to try to put the potluck teams together on deck, but it was difficult and time-consuming.)
Last year's meet layout was as follows:
LCM RELAYS
800 LCM FREE
400 LCM MEDLEY
400 LCM FREE
SCM RELAYS
200 SCM MEDLEY
400 SCM FREE
400 SCM MEDLEY
200 SCM FREE
800 SCM FREE
Break to reconfigure the pool
SCY RELAYS
400 SCY MEDLEY
200 SCY FREE
800 SCY FREE
200 SCY MEDLEY
400 SCY FREE
While our goal is to fill in and improve the Missouri Valley relay records, we have noticed one nice benefit. A lot of the relays end up making USMS Top Ten. One year, every person who participated in the meet swam on at least one Top Ten relay team.
Anna Lea
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My LMSC, Missouri Valley, hosts an annual All-Relay meet.
I have often thought of putting together a relay carnival meet. I am glad to hear that it has been done before. The appeal of Top 10 relay recognition has me interested.
Now the 3 courses in one meet - now that is OUTSTANDING! When is this meet? I think a roadtrip from DC is in order!
I love relays. As a sprinter, they fit my need for speed and give me an opportunity to get another time in case I miss a wall or have a bad start in the regular 50 event.
As I recall, only the first swimmer's split can ever be used for a time, due to the nature of the flying starts the remaining swimmers get.
I like relays. You meet some of the most interesting people that way!
