And I thought the suits were killing the sport ...

We are one of those large teams that does not require USMS membership. From what I know, our insurance is much better at about 10% cost (or less) of a USMS membership. Other than that - I can't think of a good reason for the regular swimmers to become part of USMS. The people who swim meets are members, but that is less than 10% of the team (it is very difficult to get people to swim meets). We have very good coaches, our top group is as fast as any in the country and we have some 800 members. I am not sure what USMS could offer to change that ?

Here are some interesting pictures see the great swim suit on the hungarian swimmer picture 1 in the series of pics. Also have a look at the Kornelia Ender german female swimmer, do you think she used weight traing??? images.google.ca/imgres

The assault on Nancy Kerrigan by Tonya Harding's posse caused a huge spike in interest in figure skating, too, but I'd hardly say that's evidence that taking a baseball bat to your fellow competitors was "good for the sport." :)

of that 50K, do we even have 10,000 Masters swimmers competing. or 5,000?

I am not sure what USMS could offer to change that ? I am proud to be a paying member of a group of semi-like minded people who choose a low visibility sport. Our representitives are pretty open people who wish to meet the needs of the people they represent. Perhaps a little education would go a long way. A team 800 strong that has members that are as fast as any in the country, yet has scant membership is missing an important element in the picture. Seems like you have a task.

I would equate joining USMS to paying into the greater swimming good. Even if you're not taking direct advantage of swim meets and other programs like that, you're at least strengthening an organization that is big enough to advocate for the adult swimming community at large. And by helping USMS promote swimming you're getting more people in the water and keeping more pools open for business. I'll admit that the advantage to an unattached noncompetitive swimmer is pretty indirect, but I think it's worth the $40. :2cents:

I would expect a large new set of swimmers this year from watching the Worlds on TV & all the records set. Wait till they find out it's more than the SUIT !

What ever the stats are on increased membership in USMS, it appears that swimming is not catching fire in terms of gaining the popularity of football, basketball, baseball, or any of the more popular sports. Playing or watching? Not many people past age 35 play any of those "popular" sports except in casual beer leagues. All the ex-football players I've ever met over the years had some sort of permanent and chronic injury, usually to the knees or back, that made them perfect candidates for taking up swimming late in life. I've had a few coworkers who played soccer, rugby, or "gentlemen's league" ice hockey as adults, but usually not much past age 40. No sport is as kind to an older body as swimming, so as the baby boomers get older, the popularity of swimming will only increase. As for the impact of tech suits on the sport's popularity, swimming is not a "Speed" event that will really keep people's eyes awingly glued to their flat screen... I don't think you really get the concept of master's sports. It has nothing to do with being a passive spectator and just sitting on the couch watching other people do it. It's about getting out and doing it yourself, whatever your age and physical talents. (Oh, and my spell checker tells me that "awingly" is not a word.)

We're all pretty excited - but... 50,000 is still a low ball number considering there are many masters swim clubs in the USA operating WITHOUT requiring USMS registration of their swimmers! Sheez... there are also many swim groups that require usms membership for insurance purposes. my guess is many folks are forced to join though they have little interest in competing. there is a self-insured group near me (MDSA) which has a membership of over 800. membership amounts to a permit to swim in the lake. i thought of pitching USMS to them as an organization that would likely also cover the insurance umbrella, but the fees would be doubled and i'm not sure many of the members would consider usms membership an added benefit.

If you have never been coached on a masters team, you are missing out on some great tips & friends. That should be enough to join .