Can someone please tell me what sandbagging is? I heard some people discussing it at my last meet, but didn't know exactly what they were talking about. It didn't sound very flattering though by the tone of their voices. Thanks in advance. :banana:
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Former Member
Sandbagging in swimming is small potatoes, really. In some cases it could actually hinder someone's performance because they don't get to race the faster swimmers. In any event, our final time is the only thing that matters. Beating everyone in your slow heat doesn't affect the final results.
There are other sports where sandbagging actually does affect results. For example, my wife figure skates. In adult skating you compete by both age and by ability level. You need to test to change levels. You can usually count on a couple skaters who really should have tested up to the next level, but stayed at a lower level just to get on the podium.
I've never sandbagged. I have guessbagged though, I know I will be faster at a meet that I will in practice so I take a training time and shave it back. Sometimes I still do better. If I have a time or a converted time though, I use that.
Sandbagging in swimming is small potatoes, really. In some cases it could actually hinder someone's performance because they don't get to race the faster swimmers. In any event, our final time is the only thing that matters. Beating everyone in your slow heat doesn't affect the final results.
There are other sports where sandbagging actually does affect results. For example, my wife figure skates. In adult skating you compete by both age and by ability level. You need to test to change levels. You can usually count on a couple skaters who really should have tested up to the next level, but stayed at a lower level just to get on the podium.
I've never sandbagged. I have guessbagged though, I know I will be faster at a meet that I will in practice so I take a training time and shave it back. Sometimes I still do better. If I have a time or a converted time though, I use that.
