Though I frequently rave about my semi-national health club chain for its workout benefits when I travel, nothing comes close to what I consider the #1 benefit of USMS: dropping in for workouts in random cities around the US. In the last 3 years, I've swum with teams in over 20 different pools (forums.usms.org/blog.php, many times for free, always with a hearty welcome and a great workout. I've swum in some of the 'storied' pools of our nation, with some of USMS' legendary coaches and teams, and met some neat people across the land.
If you're not taking advantage of this benefit, do so on your next trip. You won't be disappointed. If you're part of a Masters team that hasn't recently updated your website or info on http://www.usms.org/placswim/, do so and enjoy some friendly visitors.
What's your favorite drop-in swim experience?
While I hope people are enjoying this thread, my purely selfish motive is also being realized -- collecting a list of teams to drop into on my future travels. :)
I only began diligently tracking my drop-in registry in 2007, but Bobinator's post about St. Pete Masters ...
I have a daughter who attends college in the Tampa-St. Pete area.
I love swimming with the St. Pete Masters! Coach Patty Nardozzi is the best!
... reminded me of a series of great morning workouts I got there in the summer of 2003. I thought I was pretty hot sh*t then and this was the first traveling masters workouts I had done; I figured it would be nice to do some easy morning workouts while on a beach vacation, imagining a laid-back group of 'fitness swimmers.' I had quite enjoyed a lot of wine the night before heading over for my first morning workout with SPM and got my a** handed to me. Each morning I went, we were cranking out 4500 to 5000 meters and doing crazy intervals I just didn't imagine people did at "just-a-Masters-workout." It was great fun (well, after day 1 when I knew what to expect) and a great eye-opener for me.
Jim also points out a great link ...Just wanted to pass this link along for those that may be traveling internationally. Sometimes, it can be a good sanity check on US programs as well if the specific site hasn't been updated at USMS Places to Swim.
Swimmers Guide: http://www.swimmersguide.com/
... while I've primarily used this for swimming overseas (Japan, Australia, UK, continental Europe), I also use this when I can't seem to find a team to swim with in the US or Canada on the USMS site.
While I hope people are enjoying this thread, my purely selfish motive is also being realized -- collecting a list of teams to drop into on my future travels. :)
I only began diligently tracking my drop-in registry in 2007, but Bobinator's post about St. Pete Masters ...
I have a daughter who attends college in the Tampa-St. Pete area.
I love swimming with the St. Pete Masters! Coach Patty Nardozzi is the best!
... reminded me of a series of great morning workouts I got there in the summer of 2003. I thought I was pretty hot sh*t then and this was the first traveling masters workouts I had done; I figured it would be nice to do some easy morning workouts while on a beach vacation, imagining a laid-back group of 'fitness swimmers.' I had quite enjoyed a lot of wine the night before heading over for my first morning workout with SPM and got my a** handed to me. Each morning I went, we were cranking out 4500 to 5000 meters and doing crazy intervals I just didn't imagine people did at "just-a-Masters-workout." It was great fun (well, after day 1 when I knew what to expect) and a great eye-opener for me.
Jim also points out a great link ...Just wanted to pass this link along for those that may be traveling internationally. Sometimes, it can be a good sanity check on US programs as well if the specific site hasn't been updated at USMS Places to Swim.
Swimmers Guide: http://www.swimmersguide.com/
... while I've primarily used this for swimming overseas (Japan, Australia, UK, continental Europe), I also use this when I can't seem to find a team to swim with in the US or Canada on the USMS site.
