Masters age group question

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:03:51 GMT

fail, Fail, EPIC FAIL Why do you say that Mr. Wolf?

RE: Masters age group question

knelson — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:47:01 GMT

For someone like me who was born in late Sept, I have to remember that USMS keeps me at my age until June 1st. Not sure I'm understanding you here. For USMS you age up on your birthday, but I was referring to the FINA rule. All you need to know is the year of your birth and what the current year is and then you know what age group you'll be competing in for the entire calendar year. I don't think June 1st means anything for either USMS or FINA, does it?

RE: Masters age group question

pwolf66 — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:39:38 GMT

I am trying to be a kinder, more gentle wookiee. fail, Fail, EPIC FAIL

RE: Masters age group question

swimshark — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:22:31 GMT

Not sure I'm understanding you here. For USMS you age up on your birthday, but I was referring to the FINA rule. All you need to know is the year of your birth and what the current year is and then you know what age group you'll be competing in for the entire calendar year. I don't think June 1st means anything for either USMS or FINA, does it? For LCM and SCM you are you age as of Dec 31st so once LCM starts (which is generally June 1st), add a year on to your age. So for someone like me who doesn't have a birthday until Sept, my actual age and my USMS age are different for 4 months.

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:52:41 GMT

I wish USMS would go the USAT route and age everyone up as of Jan 1st. It would make things less confusing. Agreed!

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:28:02 GMT

It should not be. USMS follows FINA rules for metric events (LCM, SCM), where everyone has a birthday on Jan 01 every year and competes in the same age group all year long. SCY is a different story, only because we are the only country that uses yards pools. You age up on your real birthday. Easy for you, not so easy for the people who keep track of records. Depending on your birthday, it is possible to set records in two different age groups in SCY during one season. I'm starting to like SCY less and less (if I were faster and a serious contender in either age group, I'd probably like it more and more)!

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:26:38 GMT

My reply is assuming that this is a USMS sanctioned event. If not, then the meet can indeed set their own rules. For instance, some senior games or other similar meets may not use the same rules, and I don't believe USA Swimming meets use the end-of-year age rule (I think it's just for Masters in FINA). If you do swim in a recognized (not sanctioned) meet that uses different age group rules, when your results are imported to the meet results database and/or submitted for top 10, your age group should be corrected per our rules. Confusing enough yet? It is a sanctioned meet -- the Rowdy Gaines Masters Classic in Orlando. I'll bet it's just a typo on the entry. I didn't realize the recognized vs. sanctioned rules -- nice to know, and not so confusing anymore! Thanks! :)

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:07:54 GMT

I stand corrected. I agree -- it can be confusing!!

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:05:10 GMT

The entry form is incorrect. SCM and LCM use the same age group rules, per the FINA rules. That's what I thought -- thanks!

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:05:55 GMT

Well - I just learned something new - I thought all masters aged up on 1 Jan! I know that UK Masters follows FINA with a 1 Jan "birthday" and combined ages for relay swims. Perhaps urge USMS to fall in line with Europe? Then again the US still has those pesky 25yd pools:bolt:

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:01:46 GMT

Wow, you are being too nice lately. A bit older.... I am trying to be a kinder, more gentle wookiee.

RE: Masters age group question

knelson — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:58:29 GMT

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.

RE: Masters age group question

pwolf66 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:49:55 GMT

I wish USMS would go the USAT route and age everyone up as of Jan 1st. It would make things less confusing. Not until 2012!!!! I still have some unfinished SCY business in 40-44 next year!!!

RE: Masters age group question

swimshark — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:49:03 GMT

I wish USMS would go the USAT route and age everyone up as of Jan 1st. It would make things less confusing.

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:39:10 GMT

For someone like me who was born in late Sept, I have to remember that USMS keeps me at my age until June 1st. Then I have to remember to "age myself up" after that. It would just be easier to be 1 age all year long. People who aren't swimmers ask me my age now and I have to stop and think "USMS age or real age?" And this year, the new age is a BIG ONE!:cane: 30?

RE: Masters age group question

Michael Heather — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:15:35 GMT

I agree -- it can be confusing!! It should not be. USMS follows FINA rules for metric events (LCM, SCM), where everyone has a birthday on Jan 01 every year and competes in the same age group all year long. SCY is a different story, only because we are the only country that uses yards pools. You age up on your real birthday. Easy for you, not so easy for the people who keep track of records. Depending on your birthday, it is possible to set records in two different age groups in SCY during one season.

RE: Masters age group question

bzaks1424 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:06:30 GMT

The entry form is incorrect. SCM and LCM use the same age group rules, per the FINA rules. I stand corrected.

RE: Masters age group question

bzaks1424 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:02:06 GMT

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 It actually varies from meet to meet. I don't believe we have on single national standard.

RE: Masters age group question

Chris Stevenson — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:40:16 GMT

Yes, it will be raised. I believe BOTH issues will be raised: SCY relay ages, and switching to a Jan 1 "birthday" for SCY. Of course, that doesn't mean either one will happen.

RE: Masters age group question

swimshark — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:28:17 GMT

I am trying to be a kinder, more gentle wookiee. Would that make you a Southern GentleWookiee?

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:12:33 GMT

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!! With friends like us, how can he ever forget.

RE: Masters age group question

swimshark — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:01:03 GMT

30? Wow, you are being too nice lately. A bit older....

RE: Masters age group question

swimshark — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:34:51 GMT

You don't even need to remember a date. You just need to remember what year you were born. For someone like me who was born in late Sept, I have to remember that USMS keeps me at my age until June 1st. Then I have to remember to "age myself up" after that. It would just be easier to be 1 age all year long. People who aren't swimmers ask me my age now and I have to stop and think "USMS age or real age?" And this year, the new age is a BIG ONE!:cane:

RE: Masters age group question

Jim Clemmons — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:14:55 GMT

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 Yes, it will be raised.

RE: Masters age group question

Former Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:09:07 GMT

I have blocked that particular event from my memory, sorry. To help jog your memory. No need to thank me. :) Swimmer: Wolf, Paul R Sex/Age: M42 Club: Germantown Maryland Masters (GERM) Meet: 2009 USMS National Short Course Championships Event: 100 SCY Fly Heat/Lane: Heat 18, Lane 7 Seed Time: 58.92 Final Time: 59.64 Splits Leg Cumulative Subtractive 1 26.58 26.58 2 59.64 33.06