masters swimmers eligibility

Yes I think so as long as you are at least 18. Plenty of people swim in both USMS and USAS.

You have to register for both USMS and USAS, but yes, you can swim both and many people do... nationwide :) You probably won't see too many other master's swimmers at age group meets.

If you go to meets where Masters swimmers aren't prevalent at age group meets(ie the DC Area), you will get stares and some people will think that you are a coach or parent. But, the officials will think that you are amazing even if you do times that you don't like.

I coach a USA team and swim both USMS and USA. My kids like racing coach and trying to beat me. I have to say they are starting to really cream me now. I have been doing this for 3 years and there are parents who have watched me loose weight and get faster over the years. I try to encourage them to sign up for masters. Rarely are there other masters swimmers who do the meets I do. For me there are not too many USMS meets in my area, so USA meets are an opportunity to swim yet not have to travel. I inspired one coach and one parent to start swimming just by me swimming at a USA meet. Now, I don't know if they did. I liked that I didn't have to wait until January to get my first 1650 this season. I was able to do it this year in Oct. even though I wasn't 100% at the meet. But, still I got my first in season 400 IM, 500 and 1650 in already.

I swim in both and I'm 39. I practice with an age group team so occasionally I swim in age group meets. But I prefer the masters meets.

I love doing age group meets when they have finals. I had so much when I did swim prelims and then did finals at a local age group meet this summer.

I coach a USA team and swim both USMS and USA. My kids like racing coach and trying to beat me. I have to say they are starting to really cream me now. I have been doing this for 3 years and there are parents who have watched me loose weight and get faster over the years. I try to encourage them to sign up for masters. Rarely are there other masters swimmers who do the meets I do. For me there are not too many USMS meets in my area, so USA meets are an opportunity to swim yet not have to travel.

We don't have USMS sanctioned meets in Wyoming so if you want to compete you swim in age group meets. I've been competing in age groups meets for 11 years and love it. Sometimes I do ok, and sometimes the high school swimmers have already gotten out of the pool, dryed off, and are having a snack by the time I finish, especially in the 200 fly. But, it's great fun. Most meets allow mixed relay so you'll have, Michelle 12, Tiffany 12, Brian 10 and T.J. 55. I enjoy watching the younger swimmers through the years and then into college.

Sometimes I do ok, and sometimes the high school swimmers have already gotten out of the pool, dryed off, and are having a snack by the time I finish, especially in the 200 fly. But, it's great fun. I am like you in that some times I come in dead last by A LOT and yet I can come out happy having done a best time like in the 200 Fly. Or I can have a great race in the 400 Free where the coach of the swimmer next to me says "you better beat that 47 year old". And there are times I actually win or make it to semi finals. I think the swimmers I coach respect me more. When they complain about an interval on a set, I can say "I made it on this interval this morning so you have no excuse". It makes them work harder.

I am like you in that some times I come in dead last by A LOT and yet I can come out happy having done a best time like in the 200 Fly. Or I can have a great race in the 400 Free where the coach of the swimmer next to me says "you better beat that 47 year old". And there are times I actually win or make it to semi finals. r. I was in a heat once where I lapped a 15 year old in the 200 IM. Not sure how that happened but it felt good!! :banana: