New Blocks at the Worlds

I have to disagree....the older/short blocks are discriminate against those of us with sz 15 feet. Or have legs longer than 24 inches. I can't recall how many times I nearly (or actually DID) fall of the block taking my mark. Nothing like having the back foot just keep going and going and going......

. I can't recall how many times I nearly (or actually DID) fall of the block taking my mark. Nothing like having the back foot just keep going and going and going...... If you would listen for the whistles, you wouldn't have that problem. :)

This thread has started me thinking idly...does anyone reading this know the history of the starting block? Consider that starting in the pool is obviously a perfectly good way to start a race (though maybe relays are harder), when did they start diving off the side of the pool to begin a race? When were blocks added? Just wondering... (I would love it if they allowed backstrokers to dive in from the blocks -- I miss the old stand-up starts, too.)

(I would love it if they allowed backstrokers to dive in from the blocks -- I miss the old stand-up starts, too.) Yes, they absolutely need to bring back that rule.

I think these blocks are clearly a technological innovation meant solely to make times faster, and should be disallowed. (I don't see a "tongue-in-cheek" emoticon anywhere...) I have to disagree....the older/short blocks are discriminate against those of us with sz 15 feet.

As Galen will soon point out, this is just the first of a planned series of innovations leading to a spring-loaded launcher built into the platform. The only problem FINA has at the moment with this concept is that the platform launches the swimmer past the 15 meter point. They are pondering how to solve this problem.... They will make the spring-actuated (or gunpowder-actuated) platform grip the swimmers ankles (a variation of the bear-trap) and release them only after the platform has sprung and revolved some 177.5 degrees ensuring that the swimmer shoots straight as an arrow, into the water, some 30cms from the start touchpad and going straight down at almost 89.3 degrees to the bottom of the pool. I'd like to see the swimmer who can make 15m (until surfacing, that is) with this approach.

Why don't they just shoot them out of an air cannon and a predetermined PSI so that they can enter the water like a torpedo in the streamline position.:rolleyes: I mean what's next....the suits are a big enough advantage? A predetermined PSI would be unfair to some. How much for a 6'6" 250lbs and how much for a 5'5 123lbs (both males of course; women will need a more delicate charge)?:bolt:

As Galen will soon point out, this is just the first of a planned series of innovations leading to a spring-loaded launcher built into the platform. The only problem FINA has at the moment with this concept is that the platform launches the swimmer past the 15 meter point. They are pondering how to solve this problem.... The only problem with the 15 M rule is you couldn't go underwater after 15 M.Fortunately the cannon can be set so that you skip over the water and so stay legal(we have to follow some rules after all.)

Reavis H S 1960, we made our start blocks from wood in wood shop. Someone had to sit on them so they did not flip over @ the start !!

A predetermined PSI would be unfair to some. How much for a 6'6" 250lbs and how much for a 5'5 123lbs (both males of course; women will need a more delicate charge)?:bolt: there would be a need for a pre-race weigh in, and each swimmer would then be given a weigh belt, so that all the smaller swimmers weigh as much as the largest for each event. or set a min weight, so the larger swimmers would be at disadvantage, but the smaller swimmers would have to wear weight belts to reach that min weight.