Meet Information

Participants are asked to read the following information carefully and refer to the checklist on the entry form to avoid any problems or misunderstandings regarding the conduct of the meet. All times listed are EDT.

Dates
August 20-23, 1998

Location
International Swimming Hall of Fame Pool
501 Seabreeze Boulevard
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954)468-1580

Facilities
Two ten-lane competition pools, 50 meters x 25 yards. A 7 lane, 25 yard diving tank will be available for continuous warm-up throughout meet. There will be a 20 minute warm-up session following the conclusion of the first event of each day. Grandstand seating for 1,750, on-deck seating for 400 and sundeck seating for 300. Numerous tents will be erected around the facility.

Headquarters Hotel
DoubleTree Oceanfront Hotel
440 Seabreeze Blvd.
Directly across the street from the Aquatic Complex. 
Contact: Diana Barry (954) 524-8733. 
Single/Double $79.00.

Hotels on Shuttle Route
Sheraton Yankee Clipper Resort
1140 Seabreeze Blvd.
Beachfront, 3 blocks from Aquatic Complex.
Contact: Yvette Torres (800) 958-5551.

Sheraton Yankee Trader Resort
321 N. Atlantic Blvd.
Beachfront, 3/4 mile from Aquatic Complex.
Contact Yvette Torres (800) 958-1111.

Holiday Inn Beach Galleria
999 N. Atlantic Blvd.
1.5 miles from Aquatic Complex, 1 block from Galleria Mall.
Contact: Felicia Jaffe (954) 563-5961.

Other Accommodations
Nine hotels offer special rates for Masters swimmers. All are located within ten minutes of the Aquatic Complex. For complete list of meet hotels, shuttle services and other information, send SASE c/o Meet Director Stu Marvin at Hall of Fame pool.

Meet Shuttle Service
A schedule for complimentary shuttle service between selected hotels and Aquatic Complex will be available at registration.

Ground Transportation
Travel from Ft. Lauderdale Intl Airport to all hotels and Aquatic Complex is approx. 10 minutes. Travel from Miami Intl Airport or W. Palm Beach Airport is approx. 45 minutes. Local union agreements prohibit hotels from providing airport/hotel service. Car rental, cab and Super Shuttle are recommended.

Car Rental
Enterprise Rent-a-Car is the official rental car agency of the meet. Mention account #H21092 to receive discounted rate. Service includes pickup from airport and hotel.

Yellow Cab
24 hour direct service to all airports. Fares are approx. $11 one-way from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and $40 one-way from Miami and W. Palm Beach airports. Call (954) 565-5400 for information.

Super Shuttle
Ft Lauderdale: no arriving flight service to hotels. Departing flight service from hotel for $10. Miami and W. Palm Beach: arriving and departing flight service for $30, $8 each additional person. For information call (800) 874-8885.

Parking
Parking space is limited at the Aquatic Complex. Only officials with proper credentials permitted access to Complex parking area. Athletes are encouraged to drop off passengers and proceed to municipal lots which offer ample parking within walking distance of the Aquatic Complex.

RV/Trailer Parking & Camping
No RV/Trailer parking is permitted along Fort Lauderdale beach. For area RV parking and camping information, call the following:
Easterlin Park (954) 938-0610
Kozy Campers RV Park (954) 731-8570
TY Park (954) 985-1980

 

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER (954)468-1580 - Emergencies only DO NOT USE FOR CHECK-IN!

Registration
All swimmers must register prior to competing to receive heat sheet booklet, banquet tickets and other meet information. Registration will be held in the ISHOF Auditorium. Registration is open from Noon to 7:00 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 19, and from 6:00 a.m. until the end of each day's events Thurs., Aug, 20 through Sun., Aug. 23. Coaches may register these same places, dates and times.

Distance Check-In
Positive Check-In required for the 400, 800, 1500 Freestyle, and 400 IM. Each swimmer must check in either by phone or in person in order to compete in these events. Check-in may be handled by a swimmer's teammate or coach. No changes in seeding will be made to accommodate travel arrangements.

Check-in deadlines are as follows: 800 Free (W/M) 6:00 p.m., August 19; 400 IM (W) and 400 Free (M) 6:00 p.m., August 20; 400 Free (W) and 400 IM (M) 6:00 p.m., August 21; 1500 Free (W/M) 6:00 p.m. August 22. All swimmers failing to achieve positive check-in will be scratched.

 

Distance event phone check-in number: (954) 524-8571

Phone Check-in
Telephone check-in will be accepted on Tues., Aug. 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (EDT) and on Wed., Aug. 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (EDT). Phone check-in is valid ONLY by talking specifically with a meet representative AND by retaining a check-in verification number.

Eligibility
This National Championship is open to any swimmer who is 19 years of age and over as of July 16, 1998. If a swimmer wishes to affiliate with a Masters team, the team and swimmer must both be registered by the same Local Masters Swimming Committee (LMSC). If there are questions about affiliation, the swimmer will be entered "unattached".

Age Groups
Individual events: 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, ... 100-104. Age for the meet is determined as of the last day of the meet (August 23, 1998). Relay events (aggregate ages): 76-99, 100-119, 120-159, 160-199, 200-239, etc.

World Records
For FINA World Records, age shall be determined as of Dec. 31, 1998. Swimmers aging up after Aug. 23, 1998, must bring this to the attention of the meet director.

Scoring
Individual events: 11-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. Relays score double points.

Team Scoring
Team scoring will be divided into 3 different divisions: Div. I (large teams), Div. II (medium teams) and Div. III (small teams). Each division will contain three categories: women, men and combined. Mixed relays will be scored as "combined". Championship Committee will determine team divisions after entry deadline.

Awards
Customized medals will be awarded for first through tenth places. A USMS Championship patch will be given to each swimmer and relay team member for first event won. Those winning more than one event may purchase additional patches. Customized team plaques will be given in each category of each division. Any unclaimed awards will not be mailed unless arrangments are made at the meet for a fee.

Seeding
Women's and Men's events will be run simultaneously in separate courses. Events 200 mtrs and less will be pre-seeded, and along with the deck-seeded 400 Free, will be swum slowest to fastest/oldest to youngest within each age group. Partial heats may be combined. The 800 and 1500 Free and 400 IM will be deck-seeded slowest to fastest by time or by a combination of age group and time. Any swimmer choosing to swim two-per- lane in the distance events will swim before those choosing one-per-lane.

Warm-up Times
The competition courses will be available for warm-up on Wed, Aug. 19, from Noon until 8:00 p.m, on Thurs. and Sun. from 6:00 to 6:45 a.m., and on Fri. and Sat. from 6:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. The diving well will be available for continuous warm-up during competition.There will also be a 20 min. warm-up after the distance events each day.

Warm-up Procedures
Swimmers must enter the pool feet first in a cautious manner. No diving except in designated sprint lanes. Racing starts (inc. backstroke starts) allowed only in designated sprint lanes during all warm-up sessions, where 1 or 2 lanes shall be designated as "One Way Sprint Lanes." Safety marshals will monitor pool entry. No training equip. (hand paddles, kickboards, fins, etc.) may be used at any time during warm-up periods.

THE MEET REFEREE MAY DISQUALIFY A COMPETITOR FOR ANY SAFETY RULES VIOLATION THAT RESULTS IN UNSAFE CONDUCT (102.15.2).

Mandatory Scratch Rule
If, in the opinion of the USMS National Championship Committee, the meet is deemed too large to be run in an efficient manner, the 6th event will be dropped. No refunds will be given should the 6th event be dropped.

Scratches
Any swimmer who fails to report to the proper lane in the correct heat of his/her entered event shall be considered scratched from that event and shall not be permitted to swim that event at another time.

Massage
Massage therapists will be available by appointment for a fee throughout the Championships.

Concessions/Vendors Village
Food service concessions will be available and a vendor's village will offer refreshments, souvenirs, swimming apparel and merchandise throughout the meet.

Social Events
A Waterfront Dinner & Social will be held on Sat., Aug. 22, on the ISHOF grounds overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Cost is $21.00 per person and limited to the first 400 who register.

Temperature/Climate
In August, So. Florida enjoys a tropical climate, typically in the 90s and humid. Participants are urged to drink plenty of fluids, wear hats, use ample sunblock and seek shade throughout the day.

Meet Proceeds
Proceeds from the 1998 USMS National Long Course Championships will be shared with the ISHOF, Inc.

General Meeting
All coaches, officials and swimmers should be represented at the General Meeting to be held at the Aquatic Complex on Wed., Aug. 19, at 6:00 p.m.

Masters Coaches Meetings
On Sat., Aug. 22, a Masters Coaches (MACA) meeting will be held at the Aquatic Complex from 6:00-7:30 a.m.

Coaches School
A MACA Certification School will be held on Aug. 19th from 1-5 p.m. Contact Brian Stack at (510) 235-6842 for information

Officials
Administrative Referee: Anneliese Eggert
Deck Referees: Irene Gordon, Joe Ansell
Meet Director: Stu Marvin

 

Join the Celebration in recognizing all Swimming Hall of Fame Masters Honorees. Details available at Registration.

Entry Form Instructions