Paul Smith has started another thread which has migrated to what USMS might do to attract and keep more members. I thought, after trying unsuccessfully to find a thread on the subject, that I would hit the nail on the head.
There was a recent membership poll on the issues, which I participated in, but I thought it might not have emphasized strongly enough my own personal reasons:
I AM A MEMBER OF USMS SOLELY BECAUSE IT PROVIDES A MECHANISM FOR COMPETITION.
There are other 'benefits' that accrue from your USMS membership but most of them are of no interest to me. Insurance is one that is often mentioned, but in my experience, this is not such an important factor.
Excluding city and county recreation centers and private athletic clubs, here is a list of all the teams I have trained with and their membership requirements:
Laramie Masters Swim Club: trained at the high school; USMS membership required.
University of Wyoming Masters Swim Group: trained at the University; USMS membership not required.
Ford Aquatics: trained at the University of Arizona; USMS membership required.
Northern Arizona Masters: trained at Northern Arizona University; USMS membership not required.
Snow Mountain Masters: trained at Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA; USMS membership not required.
University of Denver Masters: trained at DU; USMS membership not required.
So, of the six teams I have trained with only two have required USMS membership. Most of my training is solo at clubs and recreation centers, so the insurance problem is not an issue.
Also, now that I'm over 50, there are other competition avenues open to me (read Senior Games...) so I could continue to compete even if there were no USMS (In fairness, here, I should stress that USMS has worked VERY HARD to bring these games up to their standards of competition. I went to some of the earlier versions of these that were just a joke. I believe that we seniors owe a great debt to Scott Rabalais and others for carrying this out.)
What's your reason?
Parents
Former Member
I join USMS to compete. Why do I compete? ...oh I don't know, like if somebody has an MI at a state championship after setting the national record in the 200 Breaststroke for instance. I personally don't think the logo is that bad. I have a USMS sticker on my car and the only way to make it any sexier is to put a phallus on it.
We cannot compete with triathlon and we never will. Triathlon is sexy and people love to call themselves triathletes (even though all they do are 300m pool swims, 10 mile bike, and 3 mile runs).
Kurt,
First off GREAT post, good to see you on here. The humor is a nice addition. I do disagree somehwat on the triathlon comment. No question we can't compete with the "sexiness" of a 300M Swim 10KBike and 2K run. But we can follow their model of the accomplishment motive to compete. I personally believe this could be done with OW Races, Go The Distance, and pool distance achievement swims.
Since I haven't swam in a meet in almost 4 years, I obviously don't have my USMS card for meets. I HAD to get it to do an OW swim in Newport Beach this summer. Other than that, I probably wouldn't be a member. (No offense, but the magazine doesn't do that much for me) We have a former WR holder on our team that trains with us pretty regularly. He has no intention of competing in a meet (other than maybe a relay), therefore he is not a USMS member.
So I conclude people DON'T join because there is no compelling reason to other than their team might make them do it for insurance. We need a better model.
P.S. I thought this post from Sloswim on the "Sister Thread" to this one had some excellent points. Especially considering his background and experience in swimming:
I've always been a "Runner", don't know why; everyone just told me so since age 7. I became a "Triathlete" after many years and races when I did a Olympic Distance Tri and felt I'd earned it. I've done one marathon and do not consider myself a "Marathoner" I swim. I do not know when I will become a "Swimmer" or what that tripwire is.
The question is, how do you bring lap swimming to the common people. How do you make them want to be a "Swimmer"? I think Tri made it with Kona. The stories of the a dad pushing he's disabled son, the Sarah Reinhartson's story, Rudy Garcia, etc. The "Kona Show" is a tear jerker.
A thread here talked to a Downs Syndrome girl doing heroic things. Where is the media? Why isn't USMS showing the human aspect of what all you guyz do? You demi-gods that do to the National Championship (not just "Nats") all have real lives, families, and stories!
You want sexy? USMS needs to tell the stories that are buried in these threads! Teen girls with self-esteem. 80+ years beating National records. 15 mile swims. Its all where, but USMS isn't capitalizing on what swimming as a Master is all about.
Yes, half naked people sells photos, but human drama get's new members.
I'm a newby so I see it from outside. Am I that far off? Who is trying to promote swimming as a commercial enterprise? It should be USMS. Ironman took charge of Triathlon and that is its growth, the outcome was hugely positive for the sport(s)--for Geek.
I see a money maker for an insider that has vision. I'd do it but I have no credentials and the Army frowns on that so I have to wait 4 years. I'll be your CFO and build the business plan for free! To make millions of $, find something that pisses you off and fit it!
Sorry for my bloviating.
I join USMS to compete. Why do I compete? ...oh I don't know, like if somebody has an MI at a state championship after setting the national record in the 200 Breaststroke for instance. I personally don't think the logo is that bad. I have a USMS sticker on my car and the only way to make it any sexier is to put a phallus on it.
We cannot compete with triathlon and we never will. Triathlon is sexy and people love to call themselves triathletes (even though all they do are 300m pool swims, 10 mile bike, and 3 mile runs).
Kurt,
First off GREAT post, good to see you on here. The humor is a nice addition. I do disagree somehwat on the triathlon comment. No question we can't compete with the "sexiness" of a 300M Swim 10KBike and 2K run. But we can follow their model of the accomplishment motive to compete. I personally believe this could be done with OW Races, Go The Distance, and pool distance achievement swims.
Since I haven't swam in a meet in almost 4 years, I obviously don't have my USMS card for meets. I HAD to get it to do an OW swim in Newport Beach this summer. Other than that, I probably wouldn't be a member. (No offense, but the magazine doesn't do that much for me) We have a former WR holder on our team that trains with us pretty regularly. He has no intention of competing in a meet (other than maybe a relay), therefore he is not a USMS member.
So I conclude people DON'T join because there is no compelling reason to other than their team might make them do it for insurance. We need a better model.
P.S. I thought this post from Sloswim on the "Sister Thread" to this one had some excellent points. Especially considering his background and experience in swimming:
I've always been a "Runner", don't know why; everyone just told me so since age 7. I became a "Triathlete" after many years and races when I did a Olympic Distance Tri and felt I'd earned it. I've done one marathon and do not consider myself a "Marathoner" I swim. I do not know when I will become a "Swimmer" or what that tripwire is.
The question is, how do you bring lap swimming to the common people. How do you make them want to be a "Swimmer"? I think Tri made it with Kona. The stories of the a dad pushing he's disabled son, the Sarah Reinhartson's story, Rudy Garcia, etc. The "Kona Show" is a tear jerker.
A thread here talked to a Downs Syndrome girl doing heroic things. Where is the media? Why isn't USMS showing the human aspect of what all you guyz do? You demi-gods that do to the National Championship (not just "Nats") all have real lives, families, and stories!
You want sexy? USMS needs to tell the stories that are buried in these threads! Teen girls with self-esteem. 80+ years beating National records. 15 mile swims. Its all where, but USMS isn't capitalizing on what swimming as a Master is all about.
Yes, half naked people sells photos, but human drama get's new members.
I'm a newby so I see it from outside. Am I that far off? Who is trying to promote swimming as a commercial enterprise? It should be USMS. Ironman took charge of Triathlon and that is its growth, the outcome was hugely positive for the sport(s)--for Geek.
I see a money maker for an insider that has vision. I'd do it but I have no credentials and the Army frowns on that so I have to wait 4 years. I'll be your CFO and build the business plan for free! To make millions of $, find something that pisses you off and fit it!
Sorry for my bloviating.
