Swimming is misunderstood

Originally posted by laineybug Again, you all are forgetting about how to do outreach to areas that do not have clubs and coaches. When you say "outreach" do you mean: 1 - putting clubs and coaches in place to serve the existing Masters swimmers currently swimming without clubs/coaches or 2 - serving the unattached swimmer's daily program needs directly from the national organization or 3 - getting new swimmers involved in places where there are not currently coaches or 4 - something else? These are distinctly different things that would require entirely different approaches.

I posted before I was done... What I'm talking about here is simply one aspect of how established programs (coached clubs) can expand their sphere of influence. The selling point, to doctors, will be a structured, professionally supervised, progressive fitness program. By definition, this involves a coach and club. Outreach is an entirely different topic (that has not been forgotten). In my seldom humble opinion, the single best outreach mechanism is helping coaches move toward earning professional incomes plying their trade. The small but growing number of Masters coaches that DO earn professional incomes through coaching serve to inspire other not-yet-Masters coaches to get involved with Masters, and still others to become coaches and start clubs. For every new, motivated, passionate coach that hits the ground running, USMS will see another 100+ swimmers added to the bottom line. The greater the observable income potential, the greater the number of such new coaches there will be.

I went to the doctor today - the one who thinks my swimming is a good - no make that very good - form of exercise. He said my cholersterol is very good - 167. What he found particularly amazing was my 1:1 ratio - LDL was 83 and HDL was 84. Resting pulse was 59, which he deemed excellent for an athletic person - in a sedentary person it might be cause for concern he said. He did a double take at my blood pressure which was 97/61. What is especially interesting is that all these readings are much better than they were 20 years ago when I was in my 40s. It was then that I took up excercise and began eating better. With exercise it's important to choose a form of exercise that you like or you won't do it. You also need to get your heart rate up to the target zone. For most of us on this board swimming meets these requirements.

Pick away Rob, as you can probably tell from past posts, it doesn't bother me in the least. Heck, I sometimes take the opposite view just to stir the pot a little.

Emmet, you are probably right, the way for USMS to expand has to be through coaches. I swim at a gym (membership $40 per month) and see plenty of swimmers, who would probably join a team if they new that USMS existed. A coached workout for about the cost they are already paying, that is a winner every time. SO how does a coach reign in the swimmers and build a successful program? 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.

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 laineybug Again, you all are forgetting about how to do outreach to areas that do not have clubs and coaches. Community and public at large PR. Perhaps I'm misinformed, but looks like USMS could do more in that arena. I'm sure there are issues about who and how it shouls be done, but still, logistics aside... think there is a lot more that could be done in that area, on the local club levels, LMSC's, Zones and up to the USMS leadership.

Originally posted by Rob Copeland There are very few clubs where the coach is the main source of outreach and education. While good coaching will keep them coming back, normally fellow club members are the ones who bring new folks in. Typically it is the club officers who should shoulder the responsibility of undertaking new member recruitment. The exception to this is in coach owned programs, where the coach will assume a greater responsibility for recruitment. In the cases of brand new clubs, it is usually a few motivated swimmers who get together to form the club and then find someone to coach them, rather than the other way around. You won’t normally find a top shelf coach moving into an area without a club just to start a new club. Emmett you can prove me wrong and move to Thomasville; that is if you’re man enough for the challenge:) Scott Rabalais did just this in Savanah, GA. One of the things I like about coaching swimming and being in business for myself is that my skills are highly portable. I have no doubt that wherever I might move, starting and building a Masters team would be doable (assuming there is pool spacetime available and a population in at least quintuple digits). Starting a club in a city with lots of existing clubs has the advantage of a high level of visibility and support for the concept of adult swimming. Starting a club in a city where none exist has the advantage of no competition for potential swimmers (at least at the beginning). Perhaps the inherent competitive nature of coach makes the challenge of starting a club in the face of lots of competition (business and otherwise) a more attractive thing. Perhaps the business instincts of the entrepreneur make the prospect of instantly capturing a monopoly in a new market appealing. Who knows - I don't think there is a major advantage to either scheme. If I ever DO move it will have to be someplace where snow days off from school are at least an annual occurance (those were my absolute favorite days as a kid and I want MY kids to experience them too). My inclination would also be to move to a much smaller city than Houston. But I'd have to do sufficient market research to be sure the population and economy would support a program that would be profitable enough to allow my family to live in the style in which it wishes to become accustomed. :) I agree that MOST clubs, today, are started by a tiny group of like-minded swimmers that slowly draw more and more people into their fold. However, my personal belief is that the growth that will take Masters from 40K members to 400K members will be driven largely by entrepreneur coaches running their own programs (coach owned programs).

My inclination would also be to move to a much smaller city than Houston. LOL, That's Thomasville it will have to be someplace where snow days off from school are at least an annual occurance We have hurricane days, not snow days, does that count? (We use to get off for Rose Show Parade too) See, if there was a Master's club here we could have a 'Swim for the Roses' meet during Rose Show weekend.

Originally posted by laineybug We have hurricane days, not snow days, does that count? ... I can't speak for Emmett, but suspect that snow is the requirement - otherwise, how can you have a snowball fight or sled ride? :D