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?
The economy is one of the reasons that I came back to swimming. I had done half-marathons and other running events for a couple of years, but when I found that I didn't have as much money to save, I cut back. It really became the difference of having to shell out $90 for shoes that last a few months plus the minimum of $70-100 to run a race versus spending $40 on a poly suit that lasts practically forever (some I have had for 2 years and they still function great!) and my monthly fee at the local ymca. If anything, the economy has helped my swimming. I just hope that other people are optimistic enough that things aren't going to be this way forever.
I would also be interested in seeing if meet attendance is up or down.
Our club has a pretty high turnover rate, just due to the nature of our facility (at a major university), but there are plenty of new folks coming in.
Ray, you hosted a meet already this year - how was attendance? (Mollie and I were out of town, so we couldn't make it this year)
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.
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.
Both Tucson and Flagstaff hold some really good meets. Coach Jim Stites at Ford Aquatics runs well-organized meets that I have enjoyed being a part of over the years. I highly recommend any meets that he runs down there at the U of A pool.
Flagstaff can be a bit more of a challenge, being at 7000' and all. However, Coach Liz Hobbs ran a Saturday swim clinic and Sunday meet this past October. It was great, the weather was perfect and I drove up to Snow Bowl at the crack of dawn to see the fall colors. People really had a good time though and attendance is building for that event.
The larger point is not to be afraid to get outside your metro area for meets. You may just discover there are some hidden gems an hour or two away.
Our club has a pretty high turnover rate, just due to the nature of our facility (at a major university), but there are plenty of new folks coming in.
Ray, you hosted a meet already this year - how was attendance? (Mollie and I were out of town, so we couldn't make it this year)
Our 5th annual meet this February attracted 22 more entries than last year, a 15% increase. (and a larger number of swimmers bought the meet tee shirt. The 3.6 events per swimmer held steady.) Our club membership is up ahead of last year, so we have not cut back lane rentals or workouts.
The reason for my post is that our club administration has been contemplating possibilities for the club and program in the bad economy, but it appears the bad economy hasn't had much effect...yet. I wanted to know what others were experienceing, and planning (if you actually plan:)) I wanted to know if our club's experience is unique.
Maybe our club is in a more recession-proof town than most (government-lobbyist-defense contractor laden Washington DC). Maybe there's a continuation of the "Michael Phelps factor:" when he started winning gold, new members to our club started coming out of the woodwork.
It's good to see that some of you swimmers have not stopped swimming altogether although finances are surely putting a strain on things. Thanks for your thoughts and explanations on your swimming through a recession.
Is there any way we can market a swimming program in a recession? Is there anything a club can do short of cutting back to reduce fees? Would that really make a difference, or would it drive other people away if a program starts deteriorating?
The economy hasn't hurt our meet this year. The New England LSMC SCY Champs will be a record size. Our previous record was in 2007 with 847 swimmers. This year, we were over 850 by the 'on-time' deadline. I'm turning away people left and right who missed the regular deadline but wanted to swim.
This is despite us raising entry fees slightly in response to increased facility rental. (Everyone's trying to increase revenue!)
-Rick
The reason for my post is that our club administration has been contemplating possibilities for the club and program in the bad economy, but it appears the bad economy hasn't had much effect...yet. I wanted to know what others were experienceing, and planning (if you actually plan:)) I wanted to know if our club's experience is unique.
Ray, Good to hear the Tropical Splash meet was another success!
I agree with you that we're in a unique area. The government will always be here - as will the contractors - and with the administration turnover, we'll probably see some transplants coming into town in the next several months.
As for the rest of the country, a couple things I thought of are:
1 - hold a meet! hire your teammates to time, get some sponsors to help offset costs (ie local sub shop for food). if membership dwindles, you still have to pay for a coach and lanes - and this is a good way to raise funds for things like those.
2 - Katie had a good point about running. Most runners and triathletes spend a good deal of money on new gear - especially for the bike - throughout the year. From where I sit, if money is tight and my bike equipment is working just fine, why not spend the money i have on training... and that is where we (USMS) come in. The same $500 that I would be spending on a new crankset could also come in handy for a summer pool membership.
Apparently things are getting even better in the masters swim market, at least in Arizona. We have two new teams starting up next week (one in the Phoenix area, the other in Tucson) and one old team is in the midst of re-forming. There is another team in Sierra Vista (south of Tucson) that is forming as well.
Generally the economy in AZ is in pretty bad shape due to the collapse of the real estate market. However, just in the past week or so we have new teams starting up. This is a pleasant surprise indeed, I hope it continues despite macroeconomic conditions.
Such excellent news from Arizona!
My hope is that all the LMSCs will make it affordable and easy for swimmers to continue swim training in these tough times.
Be there when the athletes need you most. They will not forget.
Well, it didn't help that he lost his Nike endorsement deal when they got out of the swimsuit business. But, isn't still under contract with them. Speaking engagement are great sources of income. Also, he should have gotten some endorsement deal with his heroics in the relay. Plus, the guy is 32 and swimming faster than ever.
