All-Star Relays -- Why Was the NVSLs Premier Event Such a Disaster

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know that that All-Star Relays is a logistical nightmare, but I've been to a lot of them, and this one was by far the worst run meet I've ever been to, bar none. You'd think one of the largest and most prominent leagues in the country would put its best foot forward for one of its two signature meets, but this year's ASR was a complete disaster.

No one thought about simple logistics. They brought in three measly sets of bleachers for a meet that was going to feature almost a thousand swimmers. There were 3 port-a-potties for the swimmer area when there are hundreds of swimmers. I counted - at one point the line was 40 deep. Because the number of port-a-lets was so inadequate, the whole site reeked of port-a-potty half-an-hour into the meet. The walk to clerk was perilous for kids, and there had been no forethought given to putting down any sort of mat to protect kids from stumbling over tree roots, rocks, etc.

The Hamlet personnel were rude, abrasive and obviously never wanted to host the meet. I am not sure I blame them. There has got to be a better way to run this meet. Charge every team a $100 relay entry fee and use the money to rent bleachers and to entice a pool that actually wants to host as opposed to the outright hostility of the Hamlet folks.

The NVSL should be utterly ashamed tonight. What a travesty....

Thanks for posting OP. Not all pools have the space to host the event, but this one landed on Hamlet. If they agreed to host, they should have run it liked they gave a da*n, or not agreed to do it.

Well you clearly give a damn so volunteer your pool next year.

[Anonymous]

I think OP is over the top, but it was pretty miserable. I appreciate that Hamlett hosted but their pool area is far too small for that kind of event. I appreciate how difficult this was. As a first time attendee I’m curios about which pools could do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is over the top, but it was pretty miserable. I appreciate that Hamlett hosted but their pool area is far too small for that kind of event. I appreciate how difficult this was. As a first time attendee I’m curios about which pools could do better.

If Hamlet hosted, that means every pool that can comfortably host said no. NVSL knows which pools can handle these meets and they go to them first- none of them want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is over the top, but it was pretty miserable. I appreciate that Hamlett hosted but their pool area is far too small for that kind of event. I appreciate how difficult this was. As a first time attendee I’m curios about which pools could do better.

If Hamlet hosted, that means every pool that can comfortably host said no. NVSL knows which pools can handle these meets and they go to them first- none of them want it.

I'm guessing part of the problem is that the pools that have enough space don't send that many kids to all star relays and so are reluctant to take it on. e.g. springboard is D8, I doubt it sent more than 1-2 relays. It has great space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is over the top, but it was pretty miserable. I appreciate that Hamlett hosted but their pool area is far too small for that kind of event. I appreciate how difficult this was. As a first time attendee I’m curios about which pools could do better.

If Hamlet hosted, that means every pool that can comfortably host said no. NVSL knows which pools can handle these meets and they go to them first- none of them want it.

Well in that case, they should have kept expectations in check for spectators—as in, you may only be on deck to watch a single event, and small designated team bleacher areas for swimmers to cheer on their teammates. Could have kept spectators staged in the ample space outside in the parking lot. Just toooooo crowded. It wasn’t really safe to be honest, was afraid someone would get hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is over the top, but it was pretty miserable. I appreciate that Hamlett hosted but their pool area is far too small for that kind of event. I appreciate how difficult this was. As a first time attendee I’m curios about which pools could do better.

If Hamlet hosted, that means every pool that can comfortably host said no. NVSL knows which pools can handle these meets and they go to them first- none of them want it.

Well the teams might want it but the pool boards don’t. Only a third of our pool’s members are swim team families. This kind of event is hugely disruptive. Just the parking alone is a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is over the top, but it was pretty miserable. I appreciate that Hamlett hosted but their pool area is far too small for that kind of event. I appreciate how difficult this was. As a first time attendee I’m curios about which pools could do better.

If Hamlet hosted, that means every pool that can comfortably host said no. NVSL knows which pools can handle these meets and they go to them first- none of them want it.

Well in that case, they should have kept expectations in check for spectators—as in, you may only be on deck to watch a single event, and small designated team bleacher areas for swimmers to cheer on their teammates. Could have kept spectators staged in the ample space outside in the parking lot. Just toooooo crowded. It wasn’t really safe to be honest, was afraid someone would get hurt.

Or pools should realize how ungrateful parents are not not volunteer to host

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is over the top, but it was pretty miserable. I appreciate that Hamlett hosted but their pool area is far too small for that kind of event. I appreciate how difficult this was. As a first time attendee I’m curios about which pools could do better.

If Hamlet hosted, that means every pool that can comfortably host said no. NVSL knows which pools can handle these meets and they go to them first- none of them want it.

I'm guessing part of the problem is that the pools that have enough space don't send that many kids to all star relays and so are reluctant to take it on. e.g. springboard is D8, I doubt it sent more than 1-2 relays. It has great space.

Lincolnia park was also a great set up, but they are D15 and don't even have teams that make ASR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is over the top, but it was pretty miserable. I appreciate that Hamlett hosted but their pool area is far too small for that kind of event. I appreciate how difficult this was. As a first time attendee I’m curios about which pools could do better.

If Hamlet hosted, that means every pool that can comfortably host said no. NVSL knows which pools can handle these meets and they go to them first- none of them want it.

Well in that case, they should have kept expectations in check for spectators—as in, you may only be on deck to watch a single event, and small designated team bleacher areas for swimmers to cheer on their teammates. Could have kept spectators staged in the ample space outside in the parking lot. Just toooooo crowded. It wasn’t really safe to be honest, was afraid someone would get hurt.

Or pools should realize how ungrateful parents are not not volunteer to host

Well clearly that’s what’s happened. But I’m saying maybe there is a way to manage expectations and reduce whining and make this better for everyone on the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was there. Div 2 team with a lot of relays participating. I had 3 kids swimming in 6 events. I applaud Hamlet for stepping up. All of their volunteers did the best they could, especially the marshals running the bleachers. The drop-off area was great. It was brutally hot, but there was plenty of space for teams to hang out. The clerk of course was at least in the shade.

If parents would follow the rules and get out when their kids aren't swimming, it would have made everything better. The bleachers were tight but there was enough room for each event if people would move. Maybe they give out tickets for each event and you need one to be in the spectator area. Otherwise, you hang out outside the pool.

What about using the Saint James? Or another indoor facility? Or just get rid of parents all together. Parents just make everything worse. If you want to see the meet, you volunteer. Otherwise, stay home and watch the livestream. I heard it was good.

I like the ticket idea. Give each swimmer a certain number per event.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there. Div 2 team with a lot of relays participating. I had 3 kids swimming in 6 events. I applaud Hamlet for stepping up. All of their volunteers did the best they could, especially the marshals running the bleachers. The drop-off area was great. It was brutally hot, but there was plenty of space for teams to hang out. The clerk of course was at least in the shade.

If parents would follow the rules and get out when their kids aren't swimming, it would have made everything better. The bleachers were tight but there was enough room for each event if people would move. Maybe they give out tickets for each event and you need one to be in the spectator area. Otherwise, you hang out outside the pool.

What about using the Saint James? Or another indoor facility? Or just get rid of parents all together. Parents just make everything worse. If you want to see the meet, you volunteer. Otherwise, stay home and watch the livestream. I heard it was good.

I like the ticket idea. Give each swimmer a certain number per event.

You'd need marshals to enforce it, and because volunteers are supplied proportionally you'd still rely on D1 parents to not be aholes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there. Div 2 team with a lot of relays participating. I had 3 kids swimming in 6 events. I applaud Hamlet for stepping up. All of their volunteers did the best they could, especially the marshals running the bleachers. The drop-off area was great. It was brutally hot, but there was plenty of space for teams to hang out. The clerk of course was at least in the shade.

If parents would follow the rules and get out when their kids aren't swimming, it would have made everything better. The bleachers were tight but there was enough room for each event if people would move. Maybe they give out tickets for each event and you need one to be in the spectator area. Otherwise, you hang out outside the pool.

What about using the Saint James? Or another indoor facility? Or just get rid of parents all together. Parents just make everything worse. If you want to see the meet, you volunteer. Otherwise, stay home and watch the livestream. I heard it was good.

I like the ticket idea. Give each swimmer a certain number per event.

You'd need marshals to enforce it, and because volunteers are supplied proportionally you'd still rely on D1 parents to not be aholes

and you know they would find a way to make the rule not apply to them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there. Div 2 team with a lot of relays participating. I had 3 kids swimming in 6 events. I applaud Hamlet for stepping up. All of their volunteers did the best they could, especially the marshals running the bleachers. The drop-off area was great. It was brutally hot, but there was plenty of space for teams to hang out. The clerk of course was at least in the shade.

If parents would follow the rules and get out when their kids aren't swimming, it would have made everything better. The bleachers were tight but there was enough room for each event if people would move. Maybe they give out tickets for each event and you need one to be in the spectator area. Otherwise, you hang out outside the pool.

What about using the Saint James? Or another indoor facility? Or just get rid of parents all together. Parents just make everything worse. If you want to see the meet, you volunteer. Otherwise, stay home and watch the livestream. I heard it was good.

I like the ticket idea. Give each swimmer a certain number per event.

You'd need marshals to enforce it, and because volunteers are supplied proportionally you'd still rely on D1 parents to not be aholes

and you know they would find a way to make the rule not apply to them

Clearly they should get to stay to root for their team (in place of parents trying to get in to see their kids)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there. Div 2 team with a lot of relays participating. I had 3 kids swimming in 6 events. I applaud Hamlet for stepping up. All of their volunteers did the best they could, especially the marshals running the bleachers. The drop-off area was great. It was brutally hot, but there was plenty of space for teams to hang out. The clerk of course was at least in the shade.

If parents would follow the rules and get out when their kids aren't swimming, it would have made everything better. The bleachers were tight but there was enough room for each event if people would move. Maybe they give out tickets for each event and you need one to be in the spectator area. Otherwise, you hang out outside the pool.

What about using the Saint James? Or another indoor facility? Or just get rid of parents all together. Parents just make everything worse. If you want to see the meet, you volunteer. Otherwise, stay home and watch the livestream. I heard it was good.

I like the ticket idea. Give each swimmer a certain number per event.

You'd need marshals to enforce it, and because volunteers are supplied proportionally you'd still rely on D1 parents to not be aholes

There’s probably some way to do this that isn’t a nightmare. Got a year to think about it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was there. Div 2 team with a lot of relays participating. I had 3 kids swimming in 6 events. I applaud Hamlet for stepping up. All of their volunteers did the best they could, especially the marshals running the bleachers. The drop-off area was great. It was brutally hot, but there was plenty of space for teams to hang out. The clerk of course was at least in the shade.

If parents would follow the rules and get out when their kids aren't swimming, it would have made everything better. The bleachers were tight but there was enough room for each event if people would move. Maybe they give out tickets for each event and you need one to be in the spectator area. Otherwise, you hang out outside the pool.

What about using the Saint James? Or another indoor facility? Or just get rid of parents all together. Parents just make everything worse. If you want to see the meet, you volunteer. Otherwise, stay home and watch the livestream. I heard it was good.

I like the ticket idea. Give each swimmer a certain number per event.

You'd need marshals to enforce it, and because volunteers are supplied proportionally you'd still rely on D1 parents to not be aholes

and you know they would find a way to make the rule not apply to them

Clearly they should get to stay to root for their team (in place of parents trying to get in to see their kids)

of course because their team might win the trophy.