The New Approach to Meets

I think one thing all of us Masters swimmers should remind ourselves is that our swimming careers last a lifetime. Agreed. In the overall scheme of things missing out on masters swimming competition is pretty low on the list of COVID-19 repercussions. It will definitely be great to get back, though!

I totally agree that we need to keep perspective. I have a 41 year streak of at least one TT time per year, but it is not worth dying or infecting someone else to continue the streak. There are many more important things. Being healthy enough to swim at a meet, even if there are no meets, is a blessing. I see Sarasota Sharks may be able to have a sanctioned intrasquad meet this year. I wish them well.

I don't worry over top tens, I would like the opportunity to participate in a live event at some point, but live remote from most meet opportunities.

Small meets are always welcome by those who set them up. Covid has disrupted more than our swims in the country and world! On a side note -- this season I have a torn rotator cuff.arthritis pain in my left knee, pain in my 5 operations right hip and a very sore foot from a flip turn that I did that landed my heel on the pool edge! A meet is not in my distant future but, will look forward to one when we in Illinois can arrange one!

So there is an openish meet scheduled in South Carolina www.clubassistant.com/.../meet_information.cfm They have a 200 swimmer limit which doesn't seem to fit the "Phase one" guidelines. I will be very interested in how it goes. I hope they follow the entrants to see if anyone gets Covid. If there are no cases it would be a good sign for future meets and if there are that would also be good to know. I hope everyone stays safe.

We were talking about that meet during our Georgia Masters board meeting on Zoom, and my first thought was exactly as you stated. A 150 swimmer limit? They already have more than 100 signed up-- a super spreader event waiting to happen, in my opinion. Yes, masks will be required; however, what do swimmers do as soon as they touch the wall after finishing a race? They breathe hard! The distance between swimmers in each lane isn't enough. Considering that studies show when somebody is breathing hard or coughs (which is likely to happen when you accidentally get a gulp of water), the tiny aerosols can travel 10 feet and stay in the air for hours. Count me out. Besides, I would have to stay in a hotel-- which has also been proven to be one of the six riskiest places to contract COVID (outside of the healthcare environment).

I am trying hard not to be too negative about it because I'd like to see a path forward. Can someone explain what happened to the 50 swimmer max and and basically all from one workout group?

Live and let live I say. If you're afraid to go to a meet, don't go. I applaud the huevos of holding a meet when everybody else seems content to cower in the corner until 2027.

Meets will be different in our near future due to Covid. All we can do is try new ways to get us safely back into meet status. A few "small" meets is a way to inter into this new reality. some may work as others will have associated problems.

Live and let live I say. If you're afraid to go to a meet, don't go. I applaud the huevos of holding a meet when everybody else seems content to cower in the corner until 2027. Kurt...I agree with you 100%. No one way works for everyone and if folks want to go to a meet...great! people that are un-comfortable should not go and have that choice. Same for workouts or attending practices I have been back training since late May when pools in Austin opened up and I swim in 3 different programs. Each program has different requirements, some have gradually increased #'s in a lane and in the pool. one program is now up to 4 in a lane same end, one at 3 in a lane at the same end and some still 2 in a lane 1 each on opposite ends. 2 programs outside and 1 is inside. I swim in all 3 of these programs. To date no one that I know of at any of these practices/programs have tested positive. All require a mask on entry and exit and temp is taken at 2 of the 3. The good news is choices and folks that feel more comfortable with more restrictions then they can go to a program that fits their comfort level. All programs have sign ups so you can see how many folks are going to a practice. No one is forcing folks to swim or attend...do what fits your comfort level. Should be the same for meets, if a club wants to host a meet then folks have a choice wether to attend or not given their comfort level and what makes sense for them. one size does not fit all!