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?
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.
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.
