Limit Nationals to Within USMS Boundaries?

And in Los Angeles, in a future Nats, the Stud would be just taking the lead in the fastest heat of the 200 *** when the Big One strikes... There are no hurricanes or earthquakes in Arizona at any time during the year...

There are no hurricanes or earthquakes in Arizona at any time during the year... neic.usgs.gov/.../states_arizona.html Ain't this web thing amazing? And that's only the most recent one. :bolt:

I second this motion "I sure as heck don't consider Indianapolis a vacation destination":joker: I just don't like himmacanes and huricanes and PR does get blasted at times. Most are in September but many are in August, Long Course meters Champ time. "Puerto Rico is located in the path of hurricanes and other tropical systems. It is estimated that a major hurricane may affect Puerto Rico about once every thirty years. Weather people expect that the 2007 hurricane season is going to be an active one, with an estimated seventeen tropical storms. In recent years, Puerto Rico was affected most by Hurricane Hugo in September, 1989. Winds estimated at up to 140 miles per hour tore trees, roofs and electrical power lines in the island-municipalities of Vieques and Culebra and along the northeastern sectors of the main island. In some areas, entire weeks passed before electrical services and water were restored. Damages were estimated in billions of dollars. Hurricane Georges, in September 1998, also left a trail of destruction on its path. On September 14, 2004, Tropical Storm Jeanne made a very slow path across Puerto Rico. It hit land near Yabucoa in the east, along the southern coast of Puerto Rico and exiting near Isabela in the North. according to the National Weather Service Forecast Office. It left behind considerable rainfall which has been responsible for flooding, mudslides, fallen trees and branches, power and water outages. At least five deaths were reported.

And in Los Angeles, in a future Nats, the Stud would be just taking the lead in the fastest heat of the 200 *** when the Big One strikes...

I think its silly to put constraints on possible locations. As each meet approaches, the merits of any potential site can be considered. If a good meet could be put on in P.R., and many of us could get there, it should be in the running. To never even consider such a possibility seems arbitrary. If there were several quality bids to choose from, maybe P.R. wouldn't win out. That hardly seems to be the case for recent nationals meets. As for the issue of an expanding international flavor, what are we afraid of? That we might get beat? That we don't want to hear Spanish spoken pool side?

Also many masters swimmers are not rich. To me, flying to PR has to cost double what Florida costs, or oregon, or Indy. Anyone in the airline industry? I just did a quick comparison using Travelocity: Las Vegas to San Juan vs Las Vegas to Miami in early November. Cheapest fare (roundtrip) to PR was $386, cheapest to Miami was $272. So the difference is significant, though not double. Of course, the question here is not about the PR bid itself but whether to discount out of hand all such bids in the future. Personally, I believe that any such bid -- whether to PR or the VI or Canada or whatever -- should be considered on its own merits. I very much doubt there will be many of them and I daresay the natural tendency would be to vote for competing bids within the continental US unless there are compelling reasons (such as the lack of a competing bid!). The move to ban them seems to me to be a solution in search of a problem.

For myself, I go to compete, to swim. If it happens to be in an area to consider "sightseeing", then I consider it but the main purpose of attending is swimming, where ever the event is held. At least when it was held in Hawaii, some USMS members could drive to the meet. If held in PR, I don't believe any USMS (maybe a couple or few "dual reg" type) members can drive - even from south Florida.

I grew up in Arizona. The number of times a long course meet was cancelled due to lightening was very high. People thought Phoenix was HOT during the short course nationals there. That was cool compared to summer. I remember taking oven mits to open car doors! Not everyone considers nationals a glorified vacation. Many train hard to do well. And to have the meet delayed due to weather is not a good thing. Like politics, many times the vote on national placement is the lesser of two evils. Many of the best facilites have been used many times, such as Indy and Tacoma. But these facilities never let the swimmers down, great organization, great pools. Also many masters swimmers are not rich. To me, flying to PR has to cost double what Florida costs, or oregon, or Indy. Anyone in the airline industry?

Also many masters swimmers are not rich. To me, flying to PR has to cost double what Florida costs, or oregon, or Indy.For me travel to Fresno next year will cost around $400 and take over 7 hours. Travel to San Juan costs $270 and takes 4 hours. With that said, I will vote for the site that I believe will put on the best event and be a site that our members would like to visit. Regardless of my personal convenience.

If a meet is in a sightseeing area I may spend an extra couple of days there if I can afford the time off work,but during the meet I am going to be either at the pool or in my room.I have never been in PR,but based on my Mexico experiences I have to ask"can you drink the water?"