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?
Way way back in 1996 or 1997 I swam with a team at the Skyway Y in St. Paul, MN. I still think of all the clubs I've visited they were the nicest. I'm not sure if they were USMS or not. I had sort of been paddling on my own prior to that but after visiting with this team I knew it was time to join a team here at home.
I also have had some really nice experiences visiting other USMS clubs while traveling (Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Tuolumne County just in the last few years in CA), and some fun times meeting people who have visited our club.
I also had one really bad experience: I showed up and the coach said "we don't allow drop-ins." I was really surprised, and disappointed, because all the other teams I'd ever visited had been very welcoming. The experience stands out in my memory because it was so far out of the norm, but it did confirm for me that I should always call or email first to verify the workout time and to find out any special information (best-case, where to park and who to pay; worst-case, "no interlopers"). I don't name the coach or the team because he doesn't coach that team any more and I have no reason to think that the team with its current coach is anything other than totally hospitable to traveling USMS members.
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!
I am seriously considering moving to the St. Pete area when I retire (if I ever get to) just to be a member of this team!
I want to echo the above comments. I have used USMS web site to find places to swim when I travel for work and have enjoyed swimming with a variety of masters teams across the country. I always contact the coach before showing up at a workout and have always been made to feel welcome.
I also love "collecting" swims with different Masters groups when I'm out of town. The variety of different team vibes always amazes me, from fast & competitive to relaxed and social. The one thing that is constant is helpful coaches and friendly lanemates.
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/
I will echo the comment above and request that all of you check and update our Places to Swim listings. Anyone can submit a new entry or an update - you don't have to be the coach of the group. As long as you can provide accurate information, please do so!
To get to Places to Swim, start from the main USMS.org page. Select the "Local Programs" tab across the top, then select "Places to Swim." Once you're there, select a region from the map.
You will see a list of pool locations for the region you selected. From here you can either add a new listing (from the link at the top of the page), or modify or delete an existing listing from the links directly under that listing.
When you submit a modification, please provide your name, your email address, and some comments that justify why you're requesting the change. We won't just delete a listing, for example, without some sort of explanation as to why it should be deleted. We will sometimes contact the requester for further information.
When you submit a listing, please try to include contact information for at least one person. If you have a web site that provides information about your group, please include that as well.
Yes, it's great when the pages are updated! I've only gone to a couple of different practices when I've traveled, but I always like to email the coach ahead of time.
Just got back from a trip to Niagara Falls and was fortunate enough to be able to swim with Nickel City Masters at SUNY Buffalo. It's a very well-organized practice with lanes for various levels. What a nice pool and what nice people as well!
My family goes to Hilton Head fairly regularly, and I drop in at the practices there. It's nice to swim in an outdoor pool and watch the sun rise during practice. They are very welcoming as well, and seem to be very used to drop-ins on vacation.
It's great to be able to keep at least a little bit of routine while out of town, so the "Places to Swim" section is invaluable!
