Is the economic downturn affecting your club in any way, such as a decrease in participation, (or even increase if swimming is seen as a cheap pastime, like movie-going and rentals?) Is your club doing anything as a result, or is it preparing for a bad economy in any way? Any drop or increase in meet participation attributed to it?
Having recently joined the ranks of the unemployed, I can tell you that while I continue to swim with my team, I have stopped going to an additional Sunday practice at another club in order to avoid the extra fee. While it's only $8, that adds up to an extra networking lunch per week which needs to take priority right now. It will certainly affect my willingness to travel to meets, unless I can find a free bed somewhere. I also have other friends who have decided not to swim due to their financial strains. An $800 annual membership/coaching fee certainly does add up particularly if you don't have the luxury of a working spouse to cover rent or mortgage, insurance, etc.
On the bright side, I definitely do have additional time which is allowing for more cross training!
In South Jersey, there is very limited Master's swimming. Most groups practice early in the morning between 5:15-7 am. Some groups practice late at night, 8-9 pm. This schedule is impossible for those of us that have to work early in the morning. I have to be at work by 7 am. I have been looking for a Master's swim program with after work hours between 4-7 pm. So far, I haven't found anything. Most facilities cater to the children's groups during these hours. I am willing to pay to join a pool that offers a coached Master's session. In the meantime, I go to swimmingcommunity.com website to get artificial coaching in order to do my own workout at my fitness center. I pay for private lessons/instruction as needed when it fits my schedule. I have spoken with a number of adults with similar situations, that just have to work out on their own schedules. I think that if there were suitable times offered at local clubs with coached sessions, that this would be an untapped resource of funds. :)
clubs over here rely greatly on team sponsorships and swim schools to bring in money to the club, keeping memship and training cost down.
But we have seen an increase in the cost to complete. last year it was roughly $35/ swimmer/ meet and the club picked up the rest, this year it's closer to $60/swimmer/meet. partly due to increase sign up cost, food, and transportation and partly due to decreased sponsorship funds.
My team typically sees a big increase in swimmers after the new year, and after the Spring semester starts (we swim on campus). While we've had a couple of days with higher numbers, I haven't seen the normal steady increase this year. In fact there have been days when I've had my own lane, which is extremely unusual. Around the holidays there were days when we had less than 10 swimmers (I had never seen that before).
Several swimmers took 2-3 months off at the end of last year, early this year. One guy had recently bought a new home, they are having trouble selling their old one. Since he and his wife work near each other, by not swimming in the morning, he not only saved the swimming fees, but also some commuting costs.
I'm curious about the statement on AZ meets. I took a look at the Polar Bear meet results, and they looked rather skimpy. For my age group, there were several events with no entries, many had just 1-2. When I lived in Tucson and swam with the U of A team, about 50% or more of the team swam in meets, when they were in town. Heck, I've seen higher participation from the U of A team with Phoenix meets.
Meet participation from my current team has been steadily declining over the past few years. Back when we hosted USMS Nationals, my team had a consistent 20%+ who competed in meets, now it is closer to 5%.
As of today, AZ LMSC has 665 members, which puts us on pace for a record year. We will exceed 1000 members sometime in June or July if past registration patterns are any guide.
We are seeing new teams form as well. Most are fairly small (around 20 swimmers) but there are a few larger ones in the works as well. Depending upon how successful we are in working with the Maricopa (Phoenix) and Pima County (Tucson) YMCAs, our membership could grow even more.
When you add up the costs, swimming is not nearly as expensive as other activities. I just dropped $370 fixing my mountain bike and I know of others who spend 10x that much on triathlon bikes and gear. Others join gyms that cost as much as masters swimming teams, so it is a matter of where your financial priorities are.
I think where the economic pinch will be felt are some of the "travel" meets (ex. Nationals) that can cost a decent amount. My guess would be people on both ends of the age spectrum would be hurt the most by this just based on simple economics. There will be a cadre of people who have the means and willingness to spend what it takes though to continue going to large meets.
Something else bears consideration. When you are unemployed, you have a lot of time on your hands. So what does one do with that time? From personal experience I can tell you that exercise is at the top of the list for active people, it keeps you sane. You cut back on other things but the modest amount you spend on swimming (or other fitness activities) is SO worth it.
Even though Arizona has been hard-hit by the current economic conditions, more people than ever are swimming. I don't know if this is going to continue but for now, we are looking at a record year for members.
I'm curious about the statement on AZ meets. I took a look at the Polar Bear meet results, and they looked rather skimpy. For my age group, there were several events with no entries, many had just 1-2. When I lived in Tucson and swam with the U of A team, about 50% or more of the team swam in meets, when they were in town. Heck, I've seen higher participation from the U of A team with Phoenix meets.
Meet participation from my current team has been steadily declining over the past few years. Back when we hosted USMS Nationals, my team had a consistent 20%+ who competed in meets, now it is closer to 5%.
The one day meets are always relatively small (and quick) compared to the championship meets. As a swimmer, it makes it hard to race with very little time between events. But it is still good training and worth going in my opinion.
I always make a point of asking the numbers at meets. As I recall, the Polar Bear Meet was up about 25 swimmers from last year.
It is hard work, but I believe the coach drives the interest in meet participation. Usually a core group of meet swimmers develop. If the coach works well with this group they can be excellent recruiters for swim meets. A local 1-day swim meet is a pretty inexpensive and fun social event.
Another thing in regard to loosing swimmers due to the economy that I have noticed is this:
Lost masters swimmers show up to lap swimming!
In Irvine, it costs $4. to swim lap swim sessions.
Maybe they cut back to a few sessions a month/week to save a few bucks instead of paying $65. a month?
Very often, they return to the club.
Every masters meet I have attended in the SPMA and AZ this season - and that has been every single one - have exceeded record number participants.
Our Nova Masters team is larger and more thriving than ever. Especially the new women swimmers.
Hopefully people realize that their health and fitness (and swim times - ha ha!) are some of the most important things to keep on track during haywire times like now.
Speaking just for me, being recently unemployed has had a positive effect on my swimming since I now have more time to swim. Going to open water races later this year could be a problem if I am still unemployed, however.
True story: When I was in the meeting where I was being told that I was getting axed, my first three thoughts were, in order:
1) How can a break this to my wife?
2) How will this affect our ability to deal with bills?
3) Will I be able to afford going to open water races this year?
-LBJ
Very recently the management of the facility that sponsors our team has cut 3 coached workouts down to 12 from 15 per week. Prior to this we had not lost any members, in fact paid memberships of around 170 has been steady for years. They said it was a money saving thing due to the economy. Membership dues exceed coaches pay by around 4 to 1. The pool is open anyway, they still have to pay for lights, heat, chemicals, lifeguards even if were not there. They don't have any revenue generating replacement for us. This has been pointed out to them and the math works out to a loss of just 11 members and any savings realized would disappear and net revenue would decrease. Several members I know have said they plan to drop there memberships due to the practice cuts not the economy. This seems to be a classic reactive management of show me your doing something, even when nothing needed to be done. :confused: My favorite swim blog writer and swimming colleague has wrote several entries in her blog regarding this.
Winds of Change
The Mercenary Life
