What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Celestial — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:03:08 GMT

I love the idea of a pursuit event, but individual (not team) pursuit. Two swimmers in each lane, starting from opposite ends. The race is over when one catches up to the other (perhaps capping at 500 yards). Much more strategy in this than in a usual pool race. Do you sprint, trying to catch your counterpart quickly? Pace them, hoping they tire before you? Hold back, trying to entice them into a foolish surge? The audience gets to watch 8 or 10 head-to-head duels at once. They actually do this at some of the USA meets - like Sectionals & Sr Champs last summer in Florida. When heat one is just barely past midway on their last lap, Heat two dives in behind them. It's rather interesting, especially when you have someone nearly pass the person who's finishing the race! And the kids have to get out of the water super fast!

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

That Guy — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 10:41:17 GMT

Why not have a relay each person swims a 100 IM as their leg of a 400 relay. I swam on such a relay in college in an unscored relay carnival. I led off with a 59.9, which stands as my lifetime best in the 100 IM.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:44:22 GMT

Why not have a relay each person swims a 100 IM as their leg of a 400 relay. This morning I was thinking about stroke relays. All 4 team members swim fly, back or ***. I mean, I guess you technically can do that in a freestyle relay, but I'd like to see an official 4-person breaststroke relay. (while I take a nap and wait for the thing to finish.)

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:20:02 GMT

The "executive triathlon" - steam, sauna, and hot tub.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:51:43 GMT

After I swim at our pool, I get in the hot tub and see all the noodlers who have been in swim exercise classes. They all still have their hair dry. Noodle relays! You get dq'd if your hair gets wet. Sorry if someone already came up with that.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

slknight — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:39:31 GMT

I know there are some 33-meter pools. I'd like to do a meet in one of those. I could do very well in a 33 free. My summer league pool as a child was 33 1/3 meters. For 25-meter races, you swam to the red flags. For 50-meter races, you swam down and back to the yellow flags. The timers leaned over the side of the pool and timed you as you went under the flags. For relays, you swam one length or sometimes two depending on the age group. It's actually a nice distance to swim. Sadly, they rebuilt the pool a few years ago and now it's 25 meters. One of the other nearby pools was 37.5 meters. My age group team trained in that one summer. I have never been so sick of swimming 150s and 300s in my life. Not sure if they've rebuilt that one or not.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:25:05 GMT

I know there are some 33-meter pools. I'd like to do a meet in one of those. I could do very well in a 33 free.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

FlyQueen — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:23:17 GMT

I would love a 75 fly. It's at the point where I am still swimming but starting to cross over to death. That darned 100 is just a wee bit too long. Thinking of swimming it again this year ... :afraid: 100IM relay would be fun as would an all fly relay. There was a point where my old team would have had a crazy fast 200 fly relay ... 3 chicks with 50 flys well under :30 (2 @ 25 or better) #4 would be able to go under :30 (I think). Would have loved to do that.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:20:05 GMT

Noodle relays! You get dq'd if your hair gets wet. Sorry if someone already came up with that.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

swimmerb212 — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:26:02 GMT

This morning I was thinking about stroke relays. All 4 team members swim fly, back or ***. I mean, I guess you technically can do that in a freestyle relay, but I'd like to see an official 4-person breaststroke relay. (while I take a nap and wait for the thing to finish.)

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 05:54:32 GMT

BEER RELAY! :chug: :cheerleader: Those are usually offered at the USMS convention ;) At some of our meets we actually do a nonstandard event or two, during the break or at the end of the meet. Somethimes it's a family relay, or a swim with equipement (fins or paddles etc...) usually, it's a riot. They're non-official non sanctioned events, but we usually dig out some priozes for the winners... free goggles or a T-shirt or similar.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:49:43 GMT

Noodle relays! You get dq'd if your hair gets wet. Sorry if someone already came up with that. :lmao:

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Karl_S — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 07:58:21 GMT

Thanks to all who responded. Here is my informal summary of the top selections: Tie for first with 7 votes each: 1) "any order" IM - swimmer's choice on stroke order. 1 vote for 200, 3 votes for 300, 1 vote for 400, 2 with distance unspecified 1) relay where all four (or more) members swim at the same time. 3) 400 stroke. Three votes for backstroke and one for fly. One person voted for a 500. Perhaps they would also be interested a 400. Three-way tie for 4th with 3 votes each: 4) 800 IM. 3 votes. 4) Any equipment goes 100. 3 votes 4) 75, with 2 votes for fly and one for free Four-way tie for 7th with two votes each: 7) 3-stroke IM - swimmer's choice on which stroke to drop. One vote for 150 and one for 300. 7) multi-age-group relay - each swimmer must represent a different age group. 7) sidestroke 7) kick with board Some thoughts: I was disappointed that dolphin kick didn't get more votes. There were also some cool ideas not relevant to an SCY pool, such as the 100 LCM IM and open-water butterfly. Perhaps these can be used in summer. Feel free to keep posting. I have no idea if anything will come of this, but I'll pass the resuts along.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Celestial — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:13:37 GMT

While not exactly on topic, I wish smaller meets would be seeded mixed sex based on time. I think that would even out a lot of the heats and make for better racing. Seriously? Many of the men I swim with would not enjoy this - they don't like being beaten by girls!

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

norascats — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:58:05 GMT

I like side stroke. If its good enough for the Coast Guard, it's good enough for me.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 06:46:28 GMT

They should let butterflyers and breaststrokers do flip turns.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:44:02 GMT

I would like to do the Hungarian Under Arm, Over Arm, Side Stroke. It was done at all of our Hamilton Aquatic Club Christmas swim meets. It was done by the Count of No Account.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:37:42 GMT

I'd like to see a wetsuit, or at least the option to use, race or meet. This was permitted at all meets last year.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:27:19 GMT

I'd do a 400 stroke, especially fly or back. I have done a 1000 IM in a meet once, that was tough, especially once you get to the ***. I'd like to see a wetsuit, or at least the option to use, race or meet. The other thing that I'd like to see offered is the option of doing all 4 200s and a 400 IM and see who the overall fastest is. I've seen this for the 4 50s and 100 IM, but what fun is that? I'd call them the drop deads.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:30:10 GMT

Back in high school we swam a relay meet at the beginning of each season that had a crescendo free relay. It went 50, 100, 150, 200. The only problem with a crecendo is the 200 free can win the whole race for the group. I too like the idea of a 500 pursuit relay. To make it more interesting, you require every one to lead at least 2 lengths. Distance swimmers kind of get left out at relay meets so this could be a good way to include them.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Karl_S — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:40:43 GMT

The other thing that I'd like to see offered is the option of doing all 4 200s and a 400 IM and see who the overall fastest is. I've seen this for the 4 50s and 100 IM, but what fun is that? I'd call them the drop deads. This is actualy offered at the Lower Bucks YMCA (SCY) Pentathlon Masters Swim Meet. You can see last year's results here: www.dvmasters.org/.../2010_lby_results.pdf

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

rlee — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:57:20 GMT

I would love it if they had a 500 fly or back. :o) I can swim a 450 fly. Well I can swim a 500 but I just did swim a 450:o) Same with the back. I love long distance. I can't sprint well:o( Great question! Thanks for asking:)

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 07:09:27 GMT

I'd like to see a 50 IM or a 100 IM in a long course pool, switching strokes at the black line. But really, maybe I'm just trying to find new and creative ways to get out of doing more fly. There is actually a meet in Vancouver, BC next month offering the 50m IM. www.msabc.ca/.../2010NorthShore.pdf

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

swimmerb212 — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 02:32:40 GMT

I'd like to see a 50 IM or a 100 IM in a long course pool, switching strokes at the black line. But really, maybe I'm just trying to find new and creative ways to get out of doing more fly.

RE: What nonstandard event would you like to swim?

Former Member — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:58:01 GMT

I love the idea of a pursuit event, but individual (not team) pursuit. Two swimmers in each lane, starting from opposite ends. The race is over when one catches up to the other (perhaps capping at 500 yards). Much more strategy in this than in a usual pool race. Do you sprint, trying to catch your counterpart quickly? Pace them, hoping they tire before you? Hold back, trying to entice them into a foolish surge? The audience gets to watch 8 or 10 head-to-head duels at once. That's a great idea! I would love to watch or compete in that one. They could also do a team pursuit with teams that draft off of each other. Strategic any-order IMs would be cool, although those could be difficult to judge accurately. I also like distance BR in a long-course pool. 400, 500, 800, 1500... Then there's my personal favorite, the great equalizer, freestyle with fins. Any distance.