At my yearly physical last week a funny thing happened. The doctors staff informed me that swimming is not an aerobic exercise and that I would be better off walking briskly for 20 to 30 minutes a couple days each week.
I explained I try to swim 2 to 3 times each week for 60 to 90 minutes,and my workout is prepared by MO, ya'll might recognise that name. They asked me the distance I cover in that time and I responded with 2800 to 3500 yards or 1.5 to 2 miles depending on time.
Not good enough according to the staff. I should be walking. I will let the facts stand for themselves.
Age 48
Wt 149
BP 120/80
Pulse 60
Body Fat 18%
Total Cholesterol 194 (need to eat better)
Well it is off to the pool for another MO workout. Maybe I will walk briskly from my car to the pool and see if that counts. Thanks for those workouts MO I enjoy them.
Have a great day
Paul
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by lefty
Emmet, you are probably right, the way for USMS to expand has to be through coaches.
That is precisely how Masters has been expanding during the 20+ years I've been involved. There just hasn't been much of a coordinated effort along those lines. Most of the efforts and attention of the national organization over the years has been aimed directly at existing Masters swimmers, largely leaving coaches to do their own thing on the fringes. Yet it is those coaches who have attracted the lion's share of new swimmers to Masters and those same coaches are the largest factor in keeping swimmers involved over time.
SO how does a coach reign in the swimmers and build a successful program?
The same way any start-up entrepreneur developes, markets and sells a product or service. Start small, design and offer a service that is distinctly different than what is already out there, educate potential customers as to the advantages of using that service, continually ensure that the cost/benefit ratio is attractive to those customers. Position the program by advertising, promotion and action as the local recognized authority or leader in the industry. Employ branding strategies that make the program instantly recognizable to the target market. Build THAT and they will come.
I strongly encourage college kids getting an education aimed at making a career of swim coaching to minor in business/marketing.
One suggestion, US clubs start Masters programs with the coach given dual responsibilities initially (age group and masters) so that they don't have to eat cat food.
If you look around at the most successful Masters programs you'll note that most are run by coaches that also have a strong entrepreneurial streak. And these are generally NOT the type of people you'll find working inside other organizations for very long.
Plus, unless the age group club sees a potential to expand their bottom line with little or no negative impact on their facility and staffing situations they are not likely to just up and start Masters clubs on their own. In addition, experience has proven time and again that a Masters coach that does not have Masters as his primary coaching responsibility is not likely to be able to build a thriving program. So education of age group head coaches and boards as to the benefits of adding (and then supporting) Masters as a high priority program (as opposed to a sideline or fill-in-the-gaps program) would be a must.
Originally posted by lefty
Emmet, you are probably right, the way for USMS to expand has to be through coaches.
That is precisely how Masters has been expanding during the 20+ years I've been involved. There just hasn't been much of a coordinated effort along those lines. Most of the efforts and attention of the national organization over the years has been aimed directly at existing Masters swimmers, largely leaving coaches to do their own thing on the fringes. Yet it is those coaches who have attracted the lion's share of new swimmers to Masters and those same coaches are the largest factor in keeping swimmers involved over time.
SO how does a coach reign in the swimmers and build a successful program?
The same way any start-up entrepreneur developes, markets and sells a product or service. Start small, design and offer a service that is distinctly different than what is already out there, educate potential customers as to the advantages of using that service, continually ensure that the cost/benefit ratio is attractive to those customers. Position the program by advertising, promotion and action as the local recognized authority or leader in the industry. Employ branding strategies that make the program instantly recognizable to the target market. Build THAT and they will come.
I strongly encourage college kids getting an education aimed at making a career of swim coaching to minor in business/marketing.
One suggestion, US clubs start Masters programs with the coach given dual responsibilities initially (age group and masters) so that they don't have to eat cat food.
If you look around at the most successful Masters programs you'll note that most are run by coaches that also have a strong entrepreneurial streak. And these are generally NOT the type of people you'll find working inside other organizations for very long.
Plus, unless the age group club sees a potential to expand their bottom line with little or no negative impact on their facility and staffing situations they are not likely to just up and start Masters clubs on their own. In addition, experience has proven time and again that a Masters coach that does not have Masters as his primary coaching responsibility is not likely to be able to build a thriving program. So education of age group head coaches and boards as to the benefits of adding (and then supporting) Masters as a high priority program (as opposed to a sideline or fill-in-the-gaps program) would be a must.
