All swimmers are eligible to participate in Long Course meets whether or not they have achieved Long Course times. Note: the following examples are for age group meets that are not "Proof of Time" meets. "Proof of Time" meets are generally "AA’ and up meets.

The rule reads as follows: "If a swimmer’s time achieves a specific time standard in yards, that swimmer must enter the same time standard in meters." For example: Nancy wants to participate in the next Long Course meet, however, she has only competed in Short Course meets and does not have any Long Course meet times. Therefore, Nancy must enter the minimum time standard that she has in yards for her meter meets.

If Nancy has an ‘A’ time in the 100 Backstroke in yards, she must enter the ‘A’ minimum time standard for the 100 meter backstroke. If she later does not actually achieve the ‘A’ time in the meet, she may continue to enter the ‘A’ minimum as long as she has it in yards. If she also has a ‘B’ time in the 200 yard Breastroke, then she must enter the ‘B’ minimum time standard for the 200 meter Breastroke.

If the next meet is an ‘AB’ Long Course meet and Nancy has a ‘AAA’ time in the 100 yard freestyle. She then must enter the Long Course meet at the ‘A’ minimum time standard for meters because that is the highest level indicated. She cannot enter the ‘AAA’ minimum for meters.

Nancy has an ‘A’ time in the 100 yard fly. She wants to compete in the 200 meter fly at the next Long Course meet but has never competed in the 200 Fly in either Short Course or Long Course before. She can still compete in the 200 Fly by entering the ‘A’ minimum time standard for meters. This is called "swimming up." However, swimmers may only "swim up" one distance. For example, from 50’s to 100’s, but not from 50’s to 200’s.

Swimmers may not estimate or convert times. Swimmers may not use practice times. Also, when a swimmer ages up, the swimmer continues to use the same times but must use the new times standards for the new age group. The Orange Section has recently come down hard on those teams, coaches, and families who have falsified time entries. STOP participants have never been indicated or suspected of this type of behavior. Punishment usually results in fines and suspensions. I am very confident that this will never be an issue with any of our families.

If you have any question about entering a meet, please see me. For a list of the minimum time standards, see your SCS Handbook.

Devon.