Swimming JOs - really is too bad we can’t have 1 spectator per athlete

[Anonymous]

A 12 year old child might never make JOs again. So yes sometimes kids quit at 13-14 but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to support them now, in the moment, especially if they want us to be there at the meet.

[Anonymous]

I am an official and I will volunteer but I’m certainly not signing up for finals with my kid on the bubble. But wow if my kid makes it to finals will be so sad to miss watching that experience because I didn’t sign up in advance.

[Anonymous]

Ok, yes, I would have a better view if I were in the stands. And the stands at UMD are very nice, pretty comfortable as things go. But, seriously, the interaction I have with my child from the stands vs. watching on live stream is not that different. Yes, my child literally knows I am there (or suspects I am, I have actually missed more than one race taking a walk and having a meet run ahead of schedule), but figuratively, I would say "they don't even know you're there". You might get a wave.

Just saying, I am in the "happy we have a full meet" camp. It's not worth it to me to complain about my disappointment of watching comfortably at home (or maybe less comfortably in my car).

[Anonymous]

They should not be having meets at all. We pulled our kids from swim because of people like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should not be having meets at all. We pulled our kids from swim because of people like you.

You’ve been gone for so long, nice to see you again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here’s what annoys me about the no spectators rule: I was at GMU recently and there was a college invitational meet going on. So multiple teams there, tons of swimmer coaches etc on the pool deck. And the stands were packed shoulder to shoulder with spectators. Why is it ok for college meets to have spectators when a kids’ meet at the same pool doesn’t even let you in the building? It’s getting really old to have to try to explain to my young kid how to navigate a building they’ve never been in before to find their team area, where to go when it’s time to leave, etc. Does Covid not visit NCAA meets? I hate when policies lack common sense.

My child is a college swimmer in a warm weather state and they do not allow spectators at meets even though they swim outside. So it's not an NCAA thing, it's a covid-denying governor thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here’s what annoys me about the no spectators rule: I was at GMU recently and there was a college invitational meet going on. So multiple teams there, tons of swimmer coaches etc on the pool deck. And the stands were packed shoulder to shoulder with spectators. Why is it ok for college meets to have spectators when a kids’ meet at the same pool doesn’t even let you in the building? It’s getting really old to have to try to explain to my young kid how to navigate a building they’ve never been in before to find their team area, where to go when it’s time to leave, etc. Does Covid not visit NCAA meets? I hate when policies lack common sense.

My child is a college swimmer in a warm weather state and they do not allow spectators at meets even though they swim outside. So it's not an NCAA thing, it's a covid-denying governor thing.

Not GMU. I've been there for multiple meets. It is mask-required at all times. University-wide policy: https://recreation.gmu.edu/about-us/returnplan/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh Lordy Machine is hosting JOs.....Turkey Clause was a disaster, not enough officials, last minute changes...they never did hand out medals like the meet announcement said they would and look, I get it, life is full of disappointment it's good for the kid to learn blah blah blah- but here's the thing: The meet is organized by adults who have been doing it for a while. It's not like they're reinventing the wheel. And yes, I have volunteered a over 40 hours this season already so don't start with the "are you doing your part." Yes, I am. I just want Machine to do their part if they are going to charge us for these meets. With no spectators.

The worst was the two pick up locations- try to explain to a 10 yr where they need to go in the dark on am unfamiliar campus to be picked up. Especially the first day when the one garage was closed to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should not be having meets at all. We pulled our kids from swim because of people like you.

Glad not to have you there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A 12 year old child might never make JOs again. So yes sometimes kids quit at 13-14 but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to support them now, in the moment, especially if they want us to be there at the meet.

Agree with this. It is a lot easier for a ten year old to make JOs than an 11 - because of the way the cuts works. And your kid might be right in growth, body, technique and then a growth spurt happens (or doesn't and everyone else gets taller, stronger, faster) and it is not there anymore.

A lot of these kids that make early JO cuts will not be making them after that age of 15. This could be the only opportunity to watch, support, and cheer your kid on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should not be having meets at all. We pulled our kids from swim because of people like you.

ugh, good riddance.

I don't care if I get to be there, my kids (and me) are thrilled to be swimming.

[Anonymous]

People keep saying “it’s UMD it’s UMD”…well UMD is having a normal men’s basketball season with spectators. They don’t want to allow swimmers with parents because it doesn’t make them any extra money plain and simple. It’s not about COVID safety you dummies it’s about greed.

[Anonymous]

Even the little kids (8 and under) aren't allowed to have the parents watch their meets ... despite the fact that 1 spectator per kid was allowed in freaking JANUARY, when omicron was raging, and in November, before all the kids were vaccinated!

It's ridiculous

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People keep saying “it’s UMD it’s UMD”…well UMD is having a normal men’s basketball season with spectators. They don’t want to allow swimmers with parents because it doesn’t make them any extra money plain and simple. It’s not about COVID safety you dummies it’s about greed.

EXACTLY!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People keep saying “it’s UMD it’s UMD”…well UMD is having a normal men’s basketball season with spectators. They don’t want to allow swimmers with parents because it doesn’t make them any extra money plain and simple. It’s not about COVID safety you dummies it’s about greed.

EXACTLY!

This is getting kind of ridiculous. All of the competitors at swim meets, from club swim up to college, are eligible for vaccination, so there is no legitimate reason that college events can be packed with spectators but a youth swim meet cannot. If the facilities want to say every competitor and spectator needs to be vaxxed, sure that’s fine, but arbitrarily deciding you can be at capacity for a college meet, but can’t have any spectators at a club meet is completely ridiculous.