By David Diehl

This past summer, the Terrapin Masters decided to conduct a survey (a.k.a. poll) to see if there was significant interest in expanding our two annual distance meets, the 1000/1650 and 800/1500. This survey was prompted by a few people expressing interest in having more events added to our distance meets. Since using surveys (I mean polls) to guide the decision making process has become an accepted practice, it seemed like the appropriate thing to do. To be as non-partisan as possible, a survey form was developed (we could not afford to use CNN, ABC or have a Town Meeting) and distributed via the September Potomac Valley (PV) Newsletter (The Swimmer’s Ear) as well as placed on the Terrapin Masters web site. Of the over 1700 registered PV masters swimmers receiving the survey, plus those checking out the web site, only 22 people responded (a greater percentage, I might add, than the usual national survey of 500 people out of 250 million). The results varied from "don’t change a thing" to "hold a full event championship meet with all the relays". Now before a manual recount is demanded or law suits are filed, remember, we did not use punch card ballots (no hanging, dimpled or pregnant chad) and did not reject any surveys because of confusing or conflicting information (ALL VOTES WERE COUNTED).

The results were mixed and inconclusive as far as the "will of the swimmers" was concerned. They were as follows:

Course: SCM - 7, SCY - 11, Don’t Care - 4

All Events: Yes - 13, No – 9

Relays: Yes – 11, No – 11

Pentathlon: Yes – 13, No – 9

The response was not overwhelming (there must have been a lot of undecided or disinterested voters) and did not result in a decisive mandate by the people (a.k.a. swimmers). We took that to mean (doing the will of the people of course) that most of you wanted to keep the meets just as they now are. Therefore, at this time we will not change the format of our two meets. We will continue to host the best distance meets we can in the best pool around. That is our "final answer" and there will be no appeals (at this time).

In October, we did submit a bid, and won the right to host the Colonies Zone Championship meet for 2002. We are also planning to submit a bid for the 2003 Long Course National Championship at the United States Aquatic Sports Convention in September. We appreciate all of the interest in our meets and thank all of you (22) for your "timely" responses.

We all have to learn to come together after such a close election (I mean survey) and support the Terrapin Masters in any and all their efforts on behalf of the masters swimmers of Potomac Valley.