I talk about this more in-depth on my personal blog (not the blog in the USMS area, but the one below my sig block), but wondering if there is interest in having some sort of national OW series, similar to H2Open (magazine)'s new National Series.
I envision something like "most well-rounded" where you swim one event in each of three categories (1K to 4.9K, 5K-9.9K, 10K and up), then you're ranked with others in your age and sex range.
What say you?
Former Member
mike - how about these usms championships?
1 Mile Open Water:
Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad, Lake Lure, NC, August 25
Kay Dittmer, 828-625-8529
1-3 Mile Open Water:
Garden State Masters, Lake Hopatcong, NJ (2 mile), September 9
Bridgette Hobart, 973-663-3663
3-6 Mile Open Water:
Team NASTI, Noblesville, IN (5K), June 23
*** Sidner, 317-695-9885
6+ Mile Open Water:
Rogue Valley Masters, Jacksonville, OR (10K), July 14
Andrew Gramley, 541-482-8645
9+ Mile Open Water:
Hopkins Masters, Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata, MN, July 28
Scott Tripps, 952-745-0344
2 Mile Cable Swim:
COMA, Sweet Home, OR, June 30
Sounds good. I've been told on my blog that USMS awards points for swimming those and then one can earn all-star status. Although I still like the idea of having many options (including these swims) in the different categories and then still base the results on your best placing in one swim in each category. That way the award doesn't go to the swimmer with the most frequent flyer miles or expense account.
I only made it to the 1st swim of this series -- www.comaswim.org/.../about.htm -- but it's now on my bucket list to do the whole weekend. The lake was spectacular (see picture and race report here forums.usms.org/blog.php, the organization top notch and the setting offered multiple lodging options around this beautiful part of the country.
Former Member
there are series in oregon and the great lakes. check out American Swimming Association's 5-day stage swim in Austin, TX's hill country lakes.
sounds as if you're amassing an awesome resume, and experiences, of swims in europe.
best of luck in 2012.
there are series in oregon and the great lakes. check out American Swimming Association's 5-day stage swim in Austin, TX's hill country lakes.
Almost did the stage series in Austin, had a former-Air Force friend of mine set up to kayak for me, but in the end the choice was between swimming in Cyprus and swimming in Texas. Cyprus won!
I wish I had time to swim more here in Europe. Sadly, not much OW in Russia. Most of the water is not up to human standards re: health. ;)
If I ever get stationed somewhere more central, I'll have more opportunity to swim. But, this isn't Cold War-era Europe (thank God) so assignments in Europe are not as easy to get as they used to be!
I only made it to the 1st swim of this series -- www.comaswim.org/.../about.htm -- but it's now on my bucket list to do the whole weekend. The lake was spectacular (see picture and race report here forums.usms.org/blog.php, the organization top notch and the setting offered multiple lodging options around this beautiful part of the country.
Damn! That 5 races in 3 days concept is right up my alley. Holy crap that sounds like fun. One good thing about being stationed in the states is access to many OW swims!
