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 haven't seen a change at our club in either direction. I do sense, though, that we're getting a general positive impact at Masters across the country. I don't know if that's a "Dara Torres / Olympic" effect or the impact of the new outreach efforts from USMS leadership. Regardless, my hunch is that Masters' swimming will survive the economic downturn fairly well as it is still an exceptionally cheap way to get structured exercise in and to compete.
On an anecdotal note, talking with my Dad this morning, he says he feels like the Virginia Masters community is experiencing a small growth surge.
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.
Tim, this was the first year I went down to the Polar Bear meet. You are absolutely right that more folks from Tucson will come up to the Phoenix area. I think the main reason is that we folks in the greater Phoenix area get spoiled by having meets here and not having to travel. I, for one, will make more of an effort to head to Tuscon and Flag whenever I can to compete.
I haven't seen a change at our club in either direction. I do sense, though, that we're getting a general positive impact at Masters across the country. I don't know if that's a "Dara Torres / Olympic" effect or the impact of the new outreach efforts from USMS leadership. Regardless, my hunch is that Masters' swimming will survive the economic downturn fairly well as it is still an exceptionally cheap way to get structured exercise in and to compete.
On an anecdotal note, talking with my Dad this morning, he says he feels like the Virginia Masters community is experiencing a small growth surge.
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.
Tim, this was the first year I went down to the Polar Bear meet. You are absolutely right that more folks from Tucson will come up to the Phoenix area. I think the main reason is that we folks in the greater Phoenix area get spoiled by having meets here and not having to travel. I, for one, will make more of an effort to head to Tuscon and Flag whenever I can to compete.
