Let me first say that I had a blast in Atlanta and enjoyed every minute of it (even the last minute of the 1000), so this list is somewhat tongue in cheek:
10. No Starbucks within walking distance of the Hampton Inn.
9. The taste of an Italian soda called "Beverly" at the Coca Cola Museum; it reminded me of viscous lidocaine--what is with that?
8. The stairway access to the pool deck from the stands.
7. Missing out on a medal in the 200 free relay because eight of the teams finishing ahead of us were from "regional" clubs representing entire states.
6. Two swimmers from TXLA trying to recruit my 87 year old father to join their team instead of swimming for Nitro.
5. No Starbucks within walkiing distance of the pool.
4. Turning at the bulkhead, although I nailed all of mine.
3. That one starter who shall remain nameless.
2. Not getting to meet Rich Abrahams, among others.
1. It ended.
Parents
Former Member
How can they increase the amount of events you need qualifiying times for already? Anyone can swim 3 events without times, which gets new people into the meet.
If usms says you can swim only 2 events or even 1 event, a lot of people that would have come to the meet will stay home.
This isn't USA nationals. This is usms nationals we are talking about. Everyone that wants to compete in the meet should have that opporunity.
I had this discussion one evening. It's an insult to many who can't met QT's. We pay the same, many train as hard or harder, we love our sport and want the best swim facility opportunity too.
These are not my "convictions" just thoughts of what could be done and how it could impact USMS.
Have 2 Nats and split age groups add a day for 500's and 400IM, or prohibit entry in both...seems harsh.
Find a Central facility, and BUILD A WARM UP POOL outside & nats is hosted there every year...local LMSC's lose out
Abolish Relays...not fun
Close 1 pool for Relays and leave the other open for mid meet warm up...won't save enough time...
Suck it up for a humongous day on Saturday...I find this palatable as I want to swim and I loved every minute of the meet. Need more volunteers or $ for them.
Leave QT's alone, but enforce them. However give non QT makers a pass every other year for a full card of events. I would go every other year and swim 6 rather than every year and swim 3.
Allow only 1 swim per stroke style.
Hold a top 25 Nats separately(which is what will happen basically if you up the QT reqa-IMHO)...will keep the elitists happy but may upset average swimmers or those that like to watch the top guys in their event duke it out, and risk another masters org creeping in and stealing USMS thunder.
Ban non QT'ers from swimming on the other side of the country in more than non QT events...harsh but doesn't prohibit total participation.
We have to ask why are we doing this: Are we here to kick everyone's in our agegroup's ass? Show the world how great we are as we age? Are we here to enjoy the swimming as a healthy lifestyle choice? Are we here to promote swimming as an inclusive and accessible sport to all, including physically challenged people? Enjoy the triumphs and console the misfortunes of all who attend whether they are awesome swimmers or just awesome people to be around? Ask yourself why you swim? If you want hardcore competition, USA is still an option...if you can't cut it with the 18 year olds...then you belong with masters...but masters belongs to all of us...equally.
Lastly Griping about the warm up jerks is pointless they probably don't read the forums as I think nearly all the forum readers have a social bond going already, whether they're #1 or #501.
How can they increase the amount of events you need qualifiying times for already? Anyone can swim 3 events without times, which gets new people into the meet.
If usms says you can swim only 2 events or even 1 event, a lot of people that would have come to the meet will stay home.
This isn't USA nationals. This is usms nationals we are talking about. Everyone that wants to compete in the meet should have that opporunity.
I had this discussion one evening. It's an insult to many who can't met QT's. We pay the same, many train as hard or harder, we love our sport and want the best swim facility opportunity too.
These are not my "convictions" just thoughts of what could be done and how it could impact USMS.
Have 2 Nats and split age groups add a day for 500's and 400IM, or prohibit entry in both...seems harsh.
Find a Central facility, and BUILD A WARM UP POOL outside & nats is hosted there every year...local LMSC's lose out
Abolish Relays...not fun
Close 1 pool for Relays and leave the other open for mid meet warm up...won't save enough time...
Suck it up for a humongous day on Saturday...I find this palatable as I want to swim and I loved every minute of the meet. Need more volunteers or $ for them.
Leave QT's alone, but enforce them. However give non QT makers a pass every other year for a full card of events. I would go every other year and swim 6 rather than every year and swim 3.
Allow only 1 swim per stroke style.
Hold a top 25 Nats separately(which is what will happen basically if you up the QT reqa-IMHO)...will keep the elitists happy but may upset average swimmers or those that like to watch the top guys in their event duke it out, and risk another masters org creeping in and stealing USMS thunder.
Ban non QT'ers from swimming on the other side of the country in more than non QT events...harsh but doesn't prohibit total participation.
We have to ask why are we doing this: Are we here to kick everyone's in our agegroup's ass? Show the world how great we are as we age? Are we here to enjoy the swimming as a healthy lifestyle choice? Are we here to promote swimming as an inclusive and accessible sport to all, including physically challenged people? Enjoy the triumphs and console the misfortunes of all who attend whether they are awesome swimmers or just awesome people to be around? Ask yourself why you swim? If you want hardcore competition, USA is still an option...if you can't cut it with the 18 year olds...then you belong with masters...but masters belongs to all of us...equally.
Lastly Griping about the warm up jerks is pointless they probably don't read the forums as I think nearly all the forum readers have a social bond going already, whether they're #1 or #501.
