Ok - I realize that as I hit 65+, I am a little more shakey on the blocks. Fellow swimmers tell me that my starts are fairly good (I suspect they take age into consideration!); but I noticed that the guy in the lane next to me at a recent meet (who was a bit younger) started in the water and was even with me at about 20 yards into a 500.
I was wondering if anyone has a sense of what the advantage really is for "older" swimmers in terms of blocks v. in-water starts. Especially for those of us who prefer 200's and above!
When I first considered entering a meet, my biggest fear was of starting from a block. I practiced some dive starts and could do them but never felt comfortable. Then a friend told me I could start in the water if I wanted. That was a big relief! In my first meet, I chose the compromise of diving from the deck. But it set my mind at ease knowing I could choose what felt comfortable. I have since done in-water, diving from the deck and diving off a block starts--the last mainly to help my time and also to help me face a fear.
Now it basically depends on how much practice I've had with block dives before a meet what I decide to do, but I no longer worry about it either way.
I think if more swimmers know that in-water starts are an option, there likely will be increased participation in meets.
When I first considered entering a meet, my biggest fear was of starting from a block. I practiced some dive starts and could do them but never felt comfortable. Then a friend told me I could start in the water if I wanted. That was a big relief! In my first meet, I chose the compromise of diving from the deck. But it set my mind at ease knowing I could choose what felt comfortable. I have since done in-water, diving from the deck and diving off a block starts--the last mainly to help my time and also to help me face a fear.
Now it basically depends on how much practice I've had with block dives before a meet what I decide to do, but I no longer worry about it either way.
I think if more swimmers know that in-water starts are an option, there likely will be increased participation in meets.
