National Festival of Swimming

Lindsay, I am your servant, tell me what to do! Gee golly, I don't get an offer like that very often! :eek: Having previously stated: I haven't thought this through so it is probably a hairbrained idea but... So I guess your first task should be to create a detailed step by step plan leading to the inaugural event! Perhaps the first step would be to determine whether people would really support such an event, or whether it is a "that sounds like it would be a lot of fun but..." type thing? I really think it has a lot of potential but, as with any new idea, there are a lot of unknowns. Actually, maybe we should let the brainstorming continue for a while longer? Isn't the USMS Convention in California this year? Given Peter's revelation perhaps we can attend and take notes... :D I'm totally over my head on this!

Yes, I'm looking forward to Disneyland at convention this year :) In the past two years I had planned to go to the conventions, but alas, life got in the way. Sigh. Lindsay-- Let's post a poll. I'm thinking if "we" tried not to do too much in the inaugural one then no one could be really disappointed. Not to say it won't be really cool and worthwhile, but we don't want to promise what we can't deliver! Also, even just getting together with everyone, in person for the inaugural, would be a lot of fun and we could all plan the next festival. Let's start with serious interest. I'm thinking of posting this poll. Anyone jump in with your thoughts: __ I would really consider doing this wacky aquatics festival and I would prefer two days __ I would really consider doing this wacky aquatics festival and I would prefer three or more days __ you guys are nuts- I was just kidding- I'm not interested Oh what the hell, I'm going to ask Kerry about this whole thing tonight and see what he says :) Things I could help with, if it were in the Bay Area (CA): -beach BBQ and surfing (lessons provided by husband); rentals of boards and wetsuits at surf shop across street from beach in Pacifica for a very nominal cost! -swim workouts in WC at Heather Farm pool (also "naughty events" after pool hours- Kerry's got the key!) -I could find people for stroke clinics (Roque Santos or?) and/or other types of clinics people would be interested in. -I could try to arrange something with a trainer, at my gym, if people were interested in dryland training. I know two really good ones. -there are also great places to eat, and/or to go dancing -and if people wanted to compete, Pacific has quite a few meets throughout the year Just my thoughts :)

How fun! I was assuming the bong relay reffered to beer bongs, and nothing illegal ... apparently I need to get out more ... geez! Chicago sounds like a great local ... :) Love the SA relay, as long as their is no breaststroke for me ... what about a FAF relay?

We would make an awsome FAF sista relay, but who would we race against??? I'm sure there were other FAFs on that superhero thread. And then there are the lurker FAFs. And there is nekkid Biblioman. And the male FAFs. I think Quicksilver, Dave Barra and Ande had some high scores in the FAF category. (Sounds like Wookie would agree to be on that male FAF relay if we summon enough pultritude. ;) ) Other volunteers?

What about a FAF relay? Definitely an FAF relay!!! :banana: Why don't we swim it with our new FAF t-shirts and forget about that fastskin pro of yours? We have a great medley: Fortress - back, Kathy - ***, FlyQueen - fly, and Beth -free. Good free relay too. I may have to re-check SS's superhero inanity poll to see if there are any more FAFs. Aren't there some boy FAFs? I recall that Quicksilver was The Flash as well. He'll have to organize a boy relay. If Ande doesn't bind and sell copies of his Tips for Swimming Faster Faster, he may be banned from the meet. Which remind me that we should add SDK races and MF races to the event schedule!

This is a pretty good idea. Besides swimming, there could be stroke clinics, nutrition clinics, dryland clinics, etc, etc. I would even take Dave Barra's open water clinic if he played Beach Boy music instead of Zappa. (Post the link, Dave! It's inspiring. Or else I will.) Of course, this would require a beach locale.

I would even take Dave Barra's open water clinic if he played Beach Boy music instead of Zappa. (Post the link, Dave! It's inspiring. Or else I will.) Of course, this would require a beach locale. I will take anyone's open water clinic, provided there are some beautiful women that I can follow, so I don't get lost in the open water.

Lindsay, What a great idea!!! I propose the West Coast first, and alternating between East Coast and then the middle of the country. So every 3 years it would be near somebody. WCM is no stranger to beer relays, naked relays, naked-chicken fights in oceans (either coast, we're not picky), and tacky triathlons. I'd love to help organize events, arrange a pool, set up beach BBQs (Pacifica is perfect, especially in Oct.) Our team is pretty big too, so we could probably arrange free accomodations in homes as well. I don't know if PMS would "sanction" such a thing, but as secretary, I can bring up the event at our conference call on April 18th. I won't speak for Kerry, but I'll ask him. I know my teammates would be REALLY excited. We love a good party, especially if you don't have the pressure of swimming fast the next day. Lindsay, do you want to start a list of organizers, proposed events and dates? Right on this thread would be good- or start a new one. Maybe even post a poll to see who would be interested. :banana: :drink: Again. Tremendous idea. I love it!

go for it. there are some fz tunes that would be appropriate. but it is really terry's clinic. i serve at the pleasure of the optimast. Wouldn't have taken you for anyone's servant, but here's the link. If this doesn't get one fired up to forget about jellyfish and sea lice, nothing will. www.youtube.com/watch

pick up water polo. (bong relays...if its in peter's neck o'the woods) not that i'm advocating that sort of thing. I'm in. Love water polo. ;) I'm in on those short axis relays too as long as I don't have to do the big bad "b" word. I'd like an all backstroke relay too though. Diving in for backstroke? The best! What about Buchberger clinics? ART clinics? The shoulder support group table? The "I can't fit in my fastskin so can we trade?" table? The "sinus/dry eye" support group table? Cortisone shots for all? Who can eat the most energy bars without puking contest? IMs without breaststroke? Cheating allowed. 1.8 allowance for jumping on relays? And ... HWMBN would have to put up with some drunken poetry readings. I will only race Paul Smith if I get more than 3 seconds. C'mon. The guy has size 20 feet and is twice as tall as me. And he's on the no wine diet, which I am not, so he has an edge. Plus, I'm holding hands and swimming the 50 fly with my twin Beth to accomodate our defective loosey goosey shoulders. ;) Sounds like a lot of fun. Great idea. No fair having it on the west coast though just because you guys have good wine. It's either the middle of the country (but not Illinois -- too many posters there) or flip a coin.