I'm curious how much everyone pays to swim on a monthly basis. The team I used to swim with had to stop due to the University of Washington swim team being cut. We were getting both our pool time and coaches from them. However, the pool is still operating, but now under the intramural department. We're trying to regroup and rent the pool from them, but may need to revise the fee structure.
I'll put up a poll in case anyone wishes to remain anonymous, but I'd really like to know how much you pay per month and how many practice sessions per week that amount gives you access to. Also, please mention if there are any one-time or annual fees to be a member of the team, etc. Another useful piece of info would be how much your pool rental is, if you know. Thanks for your help!
We're looking at paying around $80/hour just to rent the pool then we'll need to pay a coach on top of that. So for a 90 minute workout the total cost will be somewhere around $150. It's a six-lane pool, so with four to a lane that's $6.25 per person. Based on this I'm concluding that many teams must pay much, much less to rent their pools!
Kirk and others -
You need to find a successful model similar to your own to build toward.
What works for large teams like MVN and SCAQ may not work for your club at least right now.
Do you know there is a staff member at USMS dedicated to Club Development?
It is no doubt a numbers game.
As an assistant coach, something I have heard consistently from every head coach is, "all we need is 30-50 more swimmers".
Those "all we need" numbers never change even when you have gotten them!!
Consider asking some of your knowledgable, interested and enthusiastic swimmers to get into a rotation to coach the team until you can afford a regular "full-time" coach.
Talk to the Long Beach Grunions about this program, they're a great example of a get it done organization - and still a good time club!
You might be surprised to hear that there are many masters swim clubs out there - and very large clubs, who do not pay a cent for pool or lane rental.
Coaches can make a decent living and age-group programs can be funded.
Find the club model that matches your current situation.
But keep an eye on the model your club has the potential to become.
We're looking at paying around $80/hour just to rent the pool then we'll need to pay a coach on top of that. So for a 90 minute workout the total cost will be somewhere around $150. It's a six-lane pool, so with four to a lane that's $6.25 per person. Based on this I'm concluding that many teams must pay much, much less to rent their pools!
Kirk and others -
You need to find a successful model similar to your own to build toward.
What works for large teams like MVN and SCAQ may not work for your club at least right now.
Do you know there is a staff member at USMS dedicated to Club Development?
It is no doubt a numbers game.
As an assistant coach, something I have heard consistently from every head coach is, "all we need is 30-50 more swimmers".
Those "all we need" numbers never change even when you have gotten them!!
Consider asking some of your knowledgable, interested and enthusiastic swimmers to get into a rotation to coach the team until you can afford a regular "full-time" coach.
Talk to the Long Beach Grunions about this program, they're a great example of a get it done organization - and still a good time club!
You might be surprised to hear that there are many masters swim clubs out there - and very large clubs, who do not pay a cent for pool or lane rental.
Coaches can make a decent living and age-group programs can be funded.
Find the club model that matches your current situation.
But keep an eye on the model your club has the potential to become.
