Many swimmers I have talked to over the years have said that they would like to race some nonstandard event. Frequently mentioned examples are: a 75 butterfly, a 3-stroke IM, a 25 SDK, or a distance stroke event. Suppose you could enter some nonstandard events at a SCY meet, what would you pick? Perhaps a 2x400 breaststroke family relay? (Count me out on that one, but it does sound cool.) I thought about posting a poll, but it would be difficult to list all of the possibilities and I might miss some good idea, so I'm just inviting free-form response. Second question: would you travel to Philadelphia to swim it?
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:)
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
