This illustrates the crux of the issue, that USMS is implying that its sanctioned events will be safer than non-sanctioned events due to some new requirements. I disagree, and swimmers will see fewer sanctioned events this season for 2 reasons.
1. The new USMS requirements simply cannot be applied to certain venues.
2. The increased fees cannot be supported by many events.And this is the crux of the misunderstanding that a lot of folks have. Proof of insurance and propeller guards in and of themselves will NOT guarantee safer events and USMS has NOT intentionally stated or implied this. These new requirements are intended to mitigate certain risks to the swimmers and to USMS.
1. The new USMS requirements simply cannot be economically applied to certain venues. Agreed!
2. The increased fees cannot be supported by many events. This is the other big misconception. The increased insurance surcharge from USMS is charged to the LMSC. We are finding that most LSMCs are partially or fully absorbing the insurance surcharge. . In addition, the USMS Board has approved the concept of a fund for grants for sanctioned Open Water events to financially assist LMSC's in offsetting some or the entire surcharge.
Rob Copeland, two questions:I suggest you pose these questions to the other Rob; Rob Butcher. I do not have sufficient first hand information to provide the answers.
Sorry.
This illustrates the crux of the issue, that USMS is implying that its sanctioned events will be safer than non-sanctioned events due to some new requirements. I disagree, and swimmers will see fewer sanctioned events this season for 2 reasons.
1. The new USMS requirements simply cannot be applied to certain venues.
2. The increased fees cannot be supported by many events.And this is the crux of the misunderstanding that a lot of folks have. Proof of insurance and propeller guards in and of themselves will NOT guarantee safer events and USMS has NOT intentionally stated or implied this. These new requirements are intended to mitigate certain risks to the swimmers and to USMS.
1. The new USMS requirements simply cannot be economically applied to certain venues. Agreed!
2. The increased fees cannot be supported by many events. This is the other big misconception. The increased insurance surcharge from USMS is charged to the LMSC. We are finding that most LSMCs are partially or fully absorbing the insurance surcharge. . In addition, the USMS Board has approved the concept of a fund for grants for sanctioned Open Water events to financially assist LMSC's in offsetting some or the entire surcharge.
Rob Copeland, two questions:I suggest you pose these questions to the other Rob; Rob Butcher. I do not have sufficient first hand information to provide the answers.
Sorry.
