On another thread, I posted the website for the Minnewaska Distance Swimmers Association.
www.minnewaskaswimmers.org/
Please take the time to view the negotiations listed at this site. I would like to know if there are any other clubs that have successfully lobbied for access to a swimming area.
I would also like to suggest that as an organization with over 40,000 members, USMS can potenctially lend a strong arm of support to such causes.
Does this kind of activism fall within the guidelines of the USMS Strategic Action Plan?
Parents
Former Member
I thought this might be a good time to try and stir up some conversation on this subject.
The previous post links the website of a swimming group I belong to (not USMS at this time). The group was formed to petition the state to allow access to Lake Minnewaska for responsible adult swimming. The rules for swimming there are the result of years of negotiations with the state and are as follows:
-All swimmers must be members of Minnewaska Distance Swimmers Association (to gain membership one must be 18 yrs old, pass a swimming test of 500 yds continuous swimming, swim 4 strokes pay a 15$ membership fee, mostly for insurance)
-Swimmers are issued a photo id membership card that must be posted while in the water
-Swimmers must have another member present in order to swim.
-Swimmers must stay within the designated swim area (200 yard buoy line)
-Swim hours are restricted to the hours when lifeguards are on duty AT OTHER AREAS.
Some topics for further discussion:
-What state(s) have the most liberal "swim at your own risk" policies. (this could get political)
-What states protect the rights of OW water swimmers to go topless (a chaffing issue)......put the kids to bed and don't let them read Swimming to Antarctica if this scares you.
-Should USMS form an Access Committee dedicated to lobby and petition governments to develop policies that allow for responsible adult swimming in areas now restricted.
I thought this might be a good time to try and stir up some conversation on this subject.
The previous post links the website of a swimming group I belong to (not USMS at this time). The group was formed to petition the state to allow access to Lake Minnewaska for responsible adult swimming. The rules for swimming there are the result of years of negotiations with the state and are as follows:
-All swimmers must be members of Minnewaska Distance Swimmers Association (to gain membership one must be 18 yrs old, pass a swimming test of 500 yds continuous swimming, swim 4 strokes pay a 15$ membership fee, mostly for insurance)
-Swimmers are issued a photo id membership card that must be posted while in the water
-Swimmers must have another member present in order to swim.
-Swimmers must stay within the designated swim area (200 yard buoy line)
-Swim hours are restricted to the hours when lifeguards are on duty AT OTHER AREAS.
Some topics for further discussion:
-What state(s) have the most liberal "swim at your own risk" policies. (this could get political)
-What states protect the rights of OW water swimmers to go topless (a chaffing issue)......put the kids to bed and don't let them read Swimming to Antarctica if this scares you.
-Should USMS form an Access Committee dedicated to lobby and petition governments to develop policies that allow for responsible adult swimming in areas now restricted.
