Lately there have been some threads that touch on macroeconomic issues affecting the US and the rest of the world. I am (morbidly?) curious about how this affects masters swimming.
My concern is primarily related to registration and participation. Right now we are in the 2009 registration period, meaning swimmers are either registering or renewing. But are we loosing people because of the economy?
Separate issue is participation. Let's say signing up for USMS is not a problem, but the cost of swimming (dues, gear, commute to pool, etc.) is an issue. I am thinking particularly about people who have either lost their jobs, had to change careers, closed/reduced their business, or lost a lot of money recently. How is this affecting membership?
What do you all have to say about this?
I would think people might look at swim meets as a relatively inexpensive alternative to other more expensive and less beneficial activities they had been doing. Most people are capable of finding a meet within 50 miles of their hometown at least a few times per year, and really the only cost is meet entry ($20 approx) and gas (which is relatively cheap for the time) assuming it is a one day meet.
As for National type meets, you might see some reduced attendance depending on the location. Take the 09 Clovis meet, which will be situated nicely between Southern and Northern portions of the state. In state attendance alone will most likely assure good turn out, and the hard core out of state attendee's are generally willing to budget a trip to National's into their overall expenses while perhaps foregoing other travel they would do in more "up" years. Just my take!
I would think people might look at swim meets as a relatively inexpensive alternative to other more expensive and less beneficial activities they had been doing. Most people are capable of finding a meet within 50 miles of their hometown at least a few times per year, and really the only cost is meet entry ($20 approx) and gas (which is relatively cheap for the time) assuming it is a one day meet.
As for National type meets, you might see some reduced attendance depending on the location. Take the 09 Clovis meet, which will be situated nicely between Southern and Northern portions of the state. In state attendance alone will most likely assure good turn out, and the hard core out of state attendee's are generally willing to budget a trip to National's into their overall expenses while perhaps foregoing other travel they would do in more "up" years. Just my take!
