Question -- How to regions around the country deal with handling USA Swimming observation at USMS meets?
Here in New England, we've made sure that at championship meets, we have enough USA Swimming officials on deck so that the meet is essentially blanket observed. We keep track of any USA Swimming-only DQs separately, etc. Then, for people who request, we'll submit the times to the USA Swimming database.
I understand that the New England USA Swimming LSC has recently voted to change how they do things, and will start charging a $5 fee for every observed swim. They are also looking to see that this fee gets collected before the swim is observed, not after. (I.e., if you might want the swim to count, you need to pay the $5 up front, with no refunds.)
It's going to drastically change how we handle observed swims around here. Just wondering how this is handled in other parts of the country.
-Rick
I always wish there was blanket observation for all USMS events from USAS. If I qualify for senior nat's (not likely, but a man can dream) at my local master's meet I want it to count.
