Interesting responses so far; I didn't have time to weigh in on my opinion earlier. Due to the danger of this leg of triathlon, I think it makes sense to somehow encourage weaker swimmers to take swim lessons. Since USMS brags about its affiliation with USAT in the recently published promotional materials, this could be a great opportunity for USMS and USAT to work together.
There are events whose swims take place in pools that provide a more controlled environment - but for those events with longer swims in open water, there is considerably higher risk. I think it would be wise for USAT to provide event directors with a mechanism by which they can better ensure that their participants will finish the swim - with a certification done by USMS.
One way to provide this certification is to hold distance meets at opportune times of the year (winter, prior to spring tri season; summer, in the middle of tri season). These meets are a great way for distance swimmers to swim their babies - and for triathletes to gain confidence and test their training prior to and/or during their spring/summer season. At the Colonies Zone SCY Championship meet, 60% the entrants in the 1000 and 1650 were from the triathlete teams.
Interesting responses so far; I didn't have time to weigh in on my opinion earlier. Due to the danger of this leg of triathlon, I think it makes sense to somehow encourage weaker swimmers to take swim lessons. Since USMS brags about its affiliation with USAT in the recently published promotional materials, this could be a great opportunity for USMS and USAT to work together.
There are events whose swims take place in pools that provide a more controlled environment - but for those events with longer swims in open water, there is considerably higher risk. I think it would be wise for USAT to provide event directors with a mechanism by which they can better ensure that their participants will finish the swim - with a certification done by USMS.
One way to provide this certification is to hold distance meets at opportune times of the year (winter, prior to spring tri season; summer, in the middle of tri season). These meets are a great way for distance swimmers to swim their babies - and for triathletes to gain confidence and test their training prior to and/or during their spring/summer season. At the Colonies Zone SCY Championship meet, 60% the entrants in the 1000 and 1650 were from the triathlete teams.
