Comment on First Fast Facts: The Track Start

RE: Comment on First Fast Facts: The Track Start

gigi — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:48:54 GMT

I was confusey by that too. I remember a girl coming back from swim camp and showing everybody on the team (AAU) the cool start she learned there. I moved away from that town in 1974 so I know it was some time before that, though I couldn't say how much earlier. Glad to know I wasn't totally losing my mind

RE: Comment on First Fast Facts: The Track Start

Chris Stevenson — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 08:11:59 GMT

This is an open letter to Bill Volckening (USMS Swimmer Editor): Umm... I think I speak for most who grew up doing summer league swimming that track starts were done by thousands of 8&unders (through 15-18 year old) swimmers throughout the country during the 1970s (perhaps earlier?). Bill, I'm guessing this includes you, too. I first did summer league in 1977 and almost everybody did track starts. I'm sure what Rowdy means is he and Dara were the first to use track starts off blocks at major meets, but as soon as he says "elite or otherwise" and then later says he is proud of being the first (in 1982) I have to disagree with his statements. Or perhaps he was misquoted. Jeff And there it is folks: definitive proof that just as you hit 40 :cake: you suddenly get all picky and huffy about historical trivia... :)

RE: Comment on First Fast Facts: The Track Start

Former Member — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:13:19 GMT

Same here, I thought that date sounded a little off when I read it too!

RE: Comment on First Fast Facts: The Track Start

That Guy — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:38:58 GMT

Yeah, I had the same confusion from that article. I started swimming summer league in 1981 and was taught the track start. I've used it ever since.