Just got the renewal notice from USAT. They appreciate my support, think I’m a valued member, and want me to renew before the end of the month. I’ve been a member for years and always re-up - but this year, I’m not so sure. So, here is the question: Why should i? USAT can’t seem to figure it out, so maybe we can do it for them. Answer in 30 words or less!
Simple math…look at your schedule for the next year and how many races are USAT. If you are doing more than a few and those few require the 1 day license then you are better off renewing, if you aren’t doing any or only 1 or 2 then get the one day license.
It’s unfortunate, but that’s what it boils down to for me (and a lot of others).
Simple - ask your self "What do I get for my money?"
**
Is it insurance? (no)
Is is a functional points system? (no)
Is it assurance that a race you do will be on distance? (no)
Is it assurance that a race you do will be safe? (no)
Is it assurance that the race will have good security? (no)
Is it assurance the there will be on site medical staff? (no)
Just fired off an email to USAT asking all these questions. Will be interesting to see if they answer!
"you are supporting the growth of the support and the dreams of potential Olymipic competitors"…
.
Simple math…look at your schedule for the next year and how many races are USAT. If you are doing more than a few and those few require the 1 day license then you are better off renewing, if you aren’t doing any or only 1 or 2 then get the one day license.
It’s unfortunate, but that’s what it boils down to for me (and a lot of others).
x2 - couldn’t be easier. USAT gets their money regardless if you are doing USAT races, so just make your decision based on what saves you the most.
I’d rather pay more on one day license fees over the course of the summer then join USAT and allow them to count me as one of their members.
Just got mine as well and instead of sitting on my counter til i could mail in the renewal it went straight into the trash. I’ll be doing a marathon next spring and fewer tri’s so it’s cheaper to just pay the $10 day fee.
i believe you must be an annual member to be on team usa
.
No question I will renew. USAT continues to try and meet or exceed Type A’s expectations. If you see things that could be improved, why not offer your services to help, rather
than just complain?
Dave
Simple - ask your self "What do I get for my money?"
**
Is it insurance? (no)
Is is a functional points system? (no)
Is it assurance that a race you do will be on distance? (no)
Is it assurance that a race you do will be safe? (no)
Is it assurance that the race will have good security? (no)
Is it assurance the there will be on site medical staff? (no)
Is it saving $ on race entry fees? (yes - if you do a few sanctioned races).
Or NO if the races save money by not being USAT in the first place and you dont need to pay a fee.
Simple - ask your self "What do I get for my money?"
**
Is it insurance? (no)
Is is a functional points system? (no)
Is it assurance that a race you do will be on distance? (no)
Is it assurance that a race you do will be safe? (no)
Is it assurance that the race will have good security? (no)
Is it assurance the there will be on site medical staff? (no)
Bitch, Bitch, Bitch!
The bottom line is that in this litigious society in the good ole US of A, USAT provides a proven & tested insurance system to races. Yea, there’s other options out there but as a former RD I didn’t want to be the test case for “Billy Bob’s Better Race Ins. Co.”
Most of the things you’re bitching about other than ins. & points, are the responsibility of the race. USAT has recommendations and probably does a poor job of policing those recommendations with it’s only real power which is the threat of withholding it’s sanctioning & insurance but you can easily vote with your pocketbook against those races that suck.
It pains me to be a USAT apologist because they piss me off too and can’t even provide a damn accurate bike map with grades & distances for a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, but until R10C comes up with a better organization to Shepard the unruly masses of triathlon I will continue to hold my nose and pay my yearly penance.
JJ
Each person determines worth based on their own individual priorities. I like a fair playing field, so having trained referees out there to enforce the rules is worth my investment.
(Yep, 30 - following the rules)
And that is your option…however - the insurance company we use, that was picked by the partners at Reno Zahm LLC - also insures small things like NASCAR events, Marathons, Open Water Swims, Surfing Competitions and on and on. The fact of the matter is that insurance protects the RD - **NOT **the participant. We opt to protect everyone, and it is proven as our insurance has covered medical bills with out any thing more than paying them BEFORE our participants ran their personal coverage to its limits (they dont even need their own personal insurance at all for that matter). Insurance is quite simple - if they get a claim…PAY IT. It seems more than common that USAT does not make it a simple process to even cover the liability that is theirs for many folks on ST who have had medical claims with the USAT - that is just a fact.
And that does not even mention all of the many exclutions to the USAT policy such as local Police, Rescue Staff, Fire and any local govt employee.
CLASS 1: Named Insured (no extra cost) – individuals already named on the policy (see above) who need proof of their coverage: Race Director Race Organizing Committee/Company/Club Sponsors
CLASS 2: Additional Insured (See fee structure below): Property Owner Facility Government Entity (excludes police and medical personnel) Venue Others as Required by Contract
The red is what made our location cry foul and demand a better policy.
Simple - ask your self "What do I get for my money?"
**
Is it insurance? (no)
Is is a functional points system? (no)
Is it assurance that a race you do will be on distance? (no)
Is it assurance that a race you do will be safe? (no)
Is it assurance that the race will have good security? (no)
Is it assurance the there will be on site medical staff? (no)
Hrm…
Holds events in a mini hurricane? (no)
Walks around taking shoes off pedals in T1? (no)
John
for me it came down to $. It’s less expensive to buy the membership then it is to pay the $10 one day fee 6-8x per year.
Unfortunately, I really don’t perceive any extra value in a USAT membership.
Just got the renewal notice from USAT. They appreciate my support, think I’m a valued member, and want me to renew before the end of the month. I’ve been a member for years and always re-up - but this year, I’m not so sure. So, here is the question: Why should i? USAT can’t seem to figure it out, so maybe we can do it for them. Answer in 30 words or less!
Like them or hate them, they are our governing body. They provide a singular set of rules, etc. for racing. They support the Olympic team and Team USA for AGers.
Yeah, they get a lot of things wrong, but they are improving.
I support triathlons and the Olympic team, so I belong to USAT.
And in a sport where people are willing to drop hundreds of bucks on things like ceramic bearings to finish 1 minute faster in the MOP, or a $50 dimpled fucking water bottle, are you really telling me you’re quibbling about paying $30 instead of $10 to get a year long USAT license??
John
What’s this about taking shoes off in T1?