What is the take-a-way for USMS?
From a club level, here is a cut & paste from Dallas Aquatic Masters website:
Special Events
Overcome your fear of water - DAM Head Coach Jim Montgomery and the Transpersonal Swimming Institute have teamed up to offer a proven class that teaches afraid students to overcome fear in the water - shallow & deep, pool and ocean - and to swim. If you know of anyone that is afraid to swim and wants to learn to prevent panic or overcome this fear, call Jim at the DAM office 214-219-2300 or email him at montgomery@damswim.com .Visit the Conquer Fear site for more information.
A few years ago, I asked Jim why there was so much focus on all the non-competitive programs our club was offering, and why they didn't encourage entering swim meets more. His answer was that there are more people interested in learning to swim and swim basics than competitive swimmers. I think that is true - if 1800+ enter nationals, and there are about 43k registered USMS, then the vast majority are in it for something else. Those that compete already take the intiative to join a club, whereas the bulk of new membership will occur with people who want to learn to swim.
From an LMSC level,..can someone answer this? I think USMS has some sort of grant or financial award to LMSC's that develop a program and sustain it - I think last year's winner was the only entrant and it was for a pilates program? Or something like that? I would think that starting a program to help adults learn to swim/overcome fear of water, etc (disadvantaged? disabled? retirement community? etc) might fall under that umbrella.
What is the take-a-way for USMS?
From a club level, here is a cut & paste from Dallas Aquatic Masters website:
Special Events
Overcome your fear of water - DAM Head Coach Jim Montgomery and the Transpersonal Swimming Institute have teamed up to offer a proven class that teaches afraid students to overcome fear in the water - shallow & deep, pool and ocean - and to swim. If you know of anyone that is afraid to swim and wants to learn to prevent panic or overcome this fear, call Jim at the DAM office 214-219-2300 or email him at montgomery@damswim.com .Visit the Conquer Fear site for more information.
A few years ago, I asked Jim why there was so much focus on all the non-competitive programs our club was offering, and why they didn't encourage entering swim meets more. His answer was that there are more people interested in learning to swim and swim basics than competitive swimmers. I think that is true - if 1800+ enter nationals, and there are about 43k registered USMS, then the vast majority are in it for something else. Those that compete already take the intiative to join a club, whereas the bulk of new membership will occur with people who want to learn to swim.
From an LMSC level,..can someone answer this? I think USMS has some sort of grant or financial award to LMSC's that develop a program and sustain it - I think last year's winner was the only entrant and it was for a pilates program? Or something like that? I would think that starting a program to help adults learn to swim/overcome fear of water, etc (disadvantaged? disabled? retirement community? etc) might fall under that umbrella.
