This hasn't affected me as of yet, so I really haven't been paying attention up until now. :) I'm thinking of entering a SCM meet in October. My birthday is in December, and I age up this year. I have already swum two LCM meets in my new age group. I was under the impression that SCM meets had the same age-up rule as LCM meets; i.e., you swim the age you will be as of December 31. However, the SCM meet entry asks the age you will be as of the first day of the meet. Which is correct? I want to make sure I'm swimming in the correct age group (not that it's any easier in the older one!).
Thanks!
Kristin
While they're at it they should change the SCY relay rules to be the same as FINA's (i.e., combined age). The youngest swimmer determining the age is just silly.
Kirk,
If I'm not mistaken, this issue will be raised at convention. I've been lobbying for the change and see it as a positive step. It would be a boon to smaller teams that would have more flexibilty in fielding relays, it helps getting to know teamates of all ages, it's fun and it would open up all new records for teams to go for. I'm not sure of any downside.
Rich
I wish USMS would go the USAT route and age everyone up as of Jan 1st. It would make things less confusing.
Less confusing? I never found it to be confusing to compete at the actual age you are for that particular meet. As a meet director, I always get confused people for meters meets when they tell me I have their age listed wrong in the program and then I have to explain the FINA 12/31 rule to them. But nobody is ever confused at a Yards meet when they are listed as their actual age...
Less confusing? I never found it to be confusing to compete at the actual age you are for that particular meet. As a meet director, I always get confused people for meters meets when they tell me I have their age listed wrong in the program and then I have to explain the FINA 12/31 rule to them. But nobody is ever confused at a Yards meet when they are listed as their actual age...
True but if the rule was an easier date to age every one up, it would be less confusing to those who aren't as knowledgeable about the rules. Jan 1 is a pretty easy date to remember.
I have blocked that particular event from my memory, sorry.
Fortunately we always have this video to remind us:
www.floswimming.org/.../177505
What is funny about the video is that it cuts out at about the 75yd mark. Paul must have paid someone off!!
The FINA rule is unfair to those of us born in the first 1/2 of the year.
I call for "pay back" for when I had to swim in the same age group as people born the year before me. The worst is when people were born in June 1 and still be in the lower age group. Luckily, I was pretty dominant in my summer league but it was still annoying. All Summer Leagues should use the FINA rules. :applaud:
