GMM News, Nov 13th: Swimming Fan Etiqette

•  If you haven't noticed, swimming has gotten huge! With the Michael Phelps media-bump the sport of near-nakedness is always in the news. New fans are showing up at swimming meets. The stands are over-packed! At meets this past spring and summer I saw giddy teenage girls and analytical swimming geeks. With all this new attention, I've gotten lots of emails. My social-network's been growing and growing, swelling with over 2000 new swimming fans!  Many questions keep popping up, and I thought I should answer them. They're simple, but important. They're about etiquette at swimming meets. Kyla Jane, my facebook friend, was one of the most gracious about asking. She actually listed her questions, and I'm thankful she did.  
• HOW DO I GETS TICKETS? At big meets, with world-class swimmers, like the GRAND PRIX SERIES, you can go to usaswimming.org and click on the link. It'll open to the meet website, which will give you all the info you need.
• HOW LONG DO MEETS LAST?  Good question! The prelims last all morning, and the finals usually run for 3 hours in the evening. I'd only go to the finals to see the big races. However, if you want autographs, the prelims are the best. World-class swimmers (Olympians) are more relaxed after their morning swims. You can wait at the exit door in the aquatic pool lobby. Swimmers are famously nice about taking time to sign their name.  
• ETIQUETTE IN THE STANDS? Cheer loudly when your favorite swimmer swims. If a swimmer walks through the stands (to see their coach or family), they'll smile or nod at you, letting you know if it's ok to talk to them. If they don't want to talk, they'll keep their eyes down, or face-forward. If swimmers are in the stands between events, they'll stay focused and quiet. 
• FAN ETIQUETTE: Go to your favorite swimmer's online site. Register there. Comment on their message boards. Let the swimmer know you're following them. World-class swimmers pay attention to their personal sites. Often times you can develop a friendship, and they'll share with you the ups and downs of their life. Swimmers have a lot of down time between practices. Many are on facebook and will welcome you as a friend.   
• WHERE TO FIND WORLD-CLASS SWIMMERS?  The Grand Prix Series is probably the best way to see a world-class swimmer during the year. USA Swimming's Grand Prix Series lasts from NOV until JUN of next year.   
• if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll do the best I can to help you enjoy the sport of swimming. If you have any ideas on "fan info" that you'd like to share, please comment on my page so we can discuss it here. If you're a fan of my videos and want me to cover a specific subject, suggest it and I'll do what I can to capture it on camera...
• GOLDEN GOGGLES is on Monday, Nov 17th. I'm going to be there, and I will be vlogging with all of the members of the USA Olympic Swimming Team. The entire weekend, NOV 14th-17th, will be all about swimming. We have clinics and parties, and....more parties to attend. If you'd like to see something specific (an interview with an athlete), let me know. If you post a question for an Olympian to this site, I'll do my best to ask it. You can put the words in my mouth. I'll say, "This question comes from Kyla or Chris or Marry. They want to know why you got your style of Olympic ink?" (Olympic tats are the rage among Olympic athletes.) 
•  Get involved! Connect with me! The sport of swimming's growing fast. Let's grow together so we can get closer to our stars and enjoy swimming....  
• SEE PETER MARSHALL'S back-to-back WORLD RECORDS in STOCKHOLM! 
• SEE all FINA WORLD CUP results here!
•  Did you miss my latest GOLD MEDAL MEL column about MILORAD CAVIC and MICHAEL PHELPS? See it here.  
• See highlights from the 2007 GOLDEN GOGGLES!   
• Want to see your favorite OLYMPIC SWIMMER in action? Come to one of the GRAND PRIX SERIES SWIMMING COMPETITIONS this year! See schedule here. 

Comments

[Gold Medal Mel]

Thanks for the comments! Just spoke to Nathan. He and Megan will be doing a clinic with me Sat & Sun.... Swimnetwork, where DECK PASS was distributed, is going through changes for 09... Many of us, including me, want Nathan to continue. Whether or not that happens depends on execs above our pay-grade... I think all of his fans need to write to USA Swimming and tell them how much they want Nathan to continue!

AS FOR THE QUESTIONS, I'll check in on the site and make a list each day to make sure I cover all the questions! Good ones so far. I think fans always ask the best ones anyway..........

[Peter]

Two questions for your friends the Jendrick's I saw in your youtube video of your tat...

1... I know Megan has the rings tatt'd. Where are they?

2... Nathan... what the hell happened to Deck Pass?!

[Kris]

Mel, please interview Ryan Lochte. Your pre-Olympics Lochte Love video was hilarious, and it would be so much fun to see you interacting with him.

[Kyla]

Can't thank you enough for posting this :) You ROCK!!!!

[Crystal]

Thanks for posting that info Mel !
As far as the GGs go, I'm kinda partial to Weber-Gale. I definitely don't think he's gotten enough love/attention from media since the olympics, what with Phelps taking most of the limelight. Not that I mind, or anything like that, just saying :) I'm interested to know how he feels about his new website and blog gaining visitors in recent months.

Also, please ask Candace of OYTD if she remembered to bring her emergency backup batteries and extra memory card. lol