Does anyone else think it may be time to reconsider how big we want Nationals to be? I know it's a balance between including everyone who wants to participate and keeping the meet a manageable size...
I can honestly say that Austin was the first nationals I've been to that I did not enjoy. Unfortunately, my prevailing memories from that experience are crowded warm ups, crowded deck, impossible warm up/cool down pool, very long days and difficult parking. I kept thinking, is this really how I want to spend vacation time?
While I agree with the crowded conditions in the lanes, everything else just made for a wonderful meet. Also, I beleive that Austin was the 2nd largest Nationals ever behind Baltimore (I could be wrong, anyone know for sure?) so that might have contributed.
As for difficult parking? I didn't have much trouble parking on campus Sat or Sun but as for trying to park anywhere else? Yes, it was tough but trust me, it wasn't because USMS was there (or only because), there were so many activities going on in Austin at the same time, such as high school girl's volleyball tournament, Cinqo de Mayo, motorcyle rally (and they stayed in the same hotel as Poolraat and I), graduations not to mention several other smaller events that created a perfect storm of parking woes.
Paul
Does anyone else think it may be time to reconsider how big we want Nationals to be? I know it's a balance between including everyone who wants to participate and keeping the meet a manageable size...
I can honestly say that Austin was the first nationals I've been to that I did not enjoy. Unfortunately, my prevailing memories from that experience are crowded warm ups, crowded deck, impossible warm up/cool down pool, very long days and difficult parking. I kept thinking, is this really how I want to spend vacation time?
While I agree with the crowded conditions in the lanes, everything else just made for a wonderful meet. Also, I beleive that Austin was the 2nd largest Nationals ever behind Baltimore (I could be wrong, anyone know for sure?) so that might have contributed.
As for difficult parking? I didn't have much trouble parking on campus Sat or Sun but as for trying to park anywhere else? Yes, it was tough but trust me, it wasn't because USMS was there (or only because), there were so many activities going on in Austin at the same time, such as high school girl's volleyball tournament, Cinqo de Mayo, motorcyle rally (and they stayed in the same hotel as Poolraat and I), graduations not to mention several other smaller events that created a perfect storm of parking woes.
Paul
