I actively compete. I even went to nationals last year. And I own a tech suit. I'm not sure if that gives me cred to vote in this poll or not but as with other similar polls, I voted that I do NOT want the tech suits back for SCY or any other course for that matter.
I haven't ever been able to use a tech suit. But the modesty suit and double suit thing is important to me until I get in good enough shape (small enough) to fit into a new racing suit with covered thighs:blush:- I have made it my goal for the August meet, but it would be nice if the actual regs didn't become preventative.
If this "poll" is going to mean anything, you need to define some terms here. We need to know if the people voting are fitness swimmers, occasional competitors, or serious competitors (or some other terms).
If I were a fitness swimmer, I don't think I would bother with a tech suit. If I were an occasional (1 or 2 meets a year) swimmer, I might borrow a tech suit, but may not want to spend the money on one. In terms of serious competitors, it doesn't matter if you are breaking world records or breaking a minute in the 100 free, if you swim at many meets, regionals and nationals, you are a serious competitor. I think a poll will be telling us more if the poll gave us this information as well.
Also, we have 50,000 people in USMS of which, what, 4,000 compete, that's less than 10%. And how many of those people follow the forum?
One last question. Connie, are you competing on a regular basis?
Connie, are you competing on a regular basis?
Why do you ask?
I am one of the main meet organizers here at mission viejo Nadadores, next to Coach Mark.
If I like the tech suit and want it back, do I have to be an acitve competitor to vote for it? I pay the dues just like anyone else.
Of course, I can always stop paying my dues, and trim down the resources available for more active members.
No, I don't compete on regular basis Glen, usually at the meets I voluteer as one of the organizers, I come, say hi to you guys, cheer YOU on, and have a chat with your wife about some of the health issues we share, and whatever else I try to do to make you guys feel welcome and taken care of.
I could stop doing that too, and you guys would have one less meet to compete at. *shrugs* Since I don't compete myself, who cares.
Lets just say there are a whole lot of people who do not even swim any longer - and have not been active in masters swimming in years who are suddenly coming forward to enforce their out of shape opinions.
Like who?
If you mean me, I actually like the tech suits, they hold all of my out of shapeness in, reducing my aqualine cross section, and usually shave about 5-10 seconds per each 100 I swim. Personally, I'd love to have them back.
So, all this complaining about trying to squish peoples opinions can't be any more wrong on your part.
If you mean people from my team, whose letter(s) you saw, there are some serious competitors there. At least one of twhom routinely qualifies for USA swim meets, even without the tech suit.
However, regardless of whether someone competes or not, rule administration comes out of USMS yearly dues, that everyone pays, and not out of meet fees. It would be grossly unfair to limit the poll to just frequent competitors. Unles, well, you guys want to pay extra money, for extra administration.
Connie,
I have NOT said that only people who compete should have a vote on suits. I said we need to know who is voting which way so that we can see trends.
This poll isn't going to do any more then a club assistan poll will.
We all know that there are people who want the tech suits back, and people who don't.
Even if club assistant shows 80% of the competitors in the SPMA want the tech suits back, club reps still need to show up at the meeting to cast an official vote, so an official action can be made.
Aside from interesting anecdotal statistics, club assistant poll is actually just going to wste time. As an engineer, I love statistics, and love to try and analyze trends, but, they won't cast an official vote for those who don't bother to show up at the meetings and VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE.
I URGE taht people who want the tech suits back round up the club reps and show up in force at the meetings (and undersign the letter that went to SPMA) in force. It HAS to be the voting members for a motion to pass.
Polling isn't going to do any more then a polling does in presidential elections - give the peanut gallery and armchair quarterbacks something to talk about.
I have a feeling this poll is being gamed
A gut feeling, or a rational logical thought?
While you're here, are we going to see a team rep from SCAQ come to the meetings and start casting an official vote some time soon?
