Independant swimmers

When you register with USMS, the registration take place within a LMSC (local masters swim committee). Within USMS, there are 53 LMSC which operate collectively under USMS rules but each have their own bylaws. Within each LMSC, there may be as few as ONE club and as many as 50+ clubs. Depending on the LMSC, an affilation with a club give only the advantage to participate on relays at USMS meets (and as previously stated, at FINA meets to register for individual events, you must affliate with a club. This is done to be consistent with international rules and most other countries require club affliation). USMS clubs within LMSC vary widely. For examples, our small LMSC (Missouri Valley or MOVY) only has one club, despite the fact we are the entire state of Kansas and western half of Missouri. When you register with MOVY, you have two options - affiliate with our one club or be unattached. Since our club has no central structure and provides no significant benefits (other than the ability to swim on relays with "local" team members), the club has not dues, no organized workouts with deck coaches, no newsletter, but does make an effort to coordinate relays at USMS and FINA meets. The LMSC does have about a dozen workout groups who have organized workouts with deck coaches, along with a number of swimmer who train as "independents". Therefore, clubs within USMS LMSC differ a lot from the traditional AAU/YMCA/USA-Swimming clubs. Other USMS clubs true do compare and have active program of workouts with deck coaches, etc. Within USMS, you can live in one LMSC (geographically) but register with a geographically different LMSC. Some clubs will recruit member to build relays. For examples, we have two swimming in MOVY who register with Virginia LMSC to swim on relays. Other swimmers will spend years in one LMSC, feel a loyalty and stay affliated with them after the move to a new geographic home. Best of luck with your training - enjoy opportunities to participate in competition as an unattached swimmer or join a club within your LMSC or reconnect with friend/family in another club. Anthony Thompson, LMSC Chair MOVY

When you register with USMS, the registration take place within a LMSC (local masters swim committee). Within USMS, there are 53 LMSC which operate collectively under USMS rules but each have their own bylaws. Within each LMSC, there may be as few as ONE club and as many as 50+ clubs. Depending on the LMSC, an affilation with a club give only the advantage to participate on relays at USMS meets (and as previously stated, at FINA meets to register for individual events, you must affliate with a club. This is done to be consistent with international rules and most other countries require club affliation). USMS clubs within LMSC vary widely. For examples, our small LMSC (Missouri Valley or MOVY) only has one club, despite the fact we are the entire state of Kansas and western half of Missouri. When you register with MOVY, you have two options - affiliate with our one club or be unattached. Since our club has no central structure and provides no significant benefits (other than the ability to swim on relays with "local" team members), the club has not dues, no organized workouts with deck coaches, no newsletter, but does make an effort to coordinate relays at USMS and FINA meets. The LMSC does have about a dozen workout groups who have organized workouts with deck coaches, along with a number of swimmer who train as "independents". Therefore, clubs within USMS LMSC differ a lot from the traditional AAU/YMCA/USA-Swimming clubs. Other USMS clubs true do compare and have active program of workouts with deck coaches, etc. Within USMS, you can live in one LMSC (geographically) but register with a geographically different LMSC. Some clubs will recruit member to build relays. For examples, we have two swimming in MOVY who register with Virginia LMSC to swim on relays. Other swimmers will spend years in one LMSC, feel a loyalty and stay affliated with them after the move to a new geographic home. Best of luck with your training - enjoy opportunities to participate in competition as an unattached swimmer or join a club within your LMSC or reconnect with friend/family in another club. Anthony Thompson, LMSC Chair MOVY