The State of Master Swimming.

Sure, it sounds good in theory - if you could guarantee big numbers of paying swimmers you can indeed solve the pool availability problem. Are you suggesting that offering a free USMS membership (avg annual cost of $40) will bring out people in droves to pay ~$600 to $1200+ (or whatever) annually to swim on a team and therefore keep pools open and build new ones? Of course there are no guarantees in anything. But if we want to do anything significant with masters swimming, we need to be a whole lot bigger than 50,000 members. USA Swimming has an answer. A list of swimming alumni. USA Triathlon? What percent of triathletes train with a USMS club? Career swim coaches (or want-to-be coaches) are the other key. They have incentive to recruit members. FREE membership creates a great list of swimmers in which to market many different programs and benefits. The one common thread we all share is desire for water.

Sure, it sounds good in theory - if you could guarantee big numbers of paying swimmers you can indeed solve the pool availability problem. Are you suggesting that offering a free USMS membership (avg annual cost of $40) will bring out people in droves to pay ~$600 to $1200+ (or whatever) annually to swim on a team and therefore keep pools open and build new ones? Of course there are no guarantees in anything. But if we want to do anything significant with masters swimming, we need to be a whole lot bigger than 50,000 members. USA Swimming has an answer. A list of swimming alumni. USA Triathlon? What percent of triathletes train with a USMS club? Career swim coaches (or want-to-be coaches) are the other key. They have incentive to recruit members. FREE membership creates a great list of swimmers in which to market many different programs and benefits. The one common thread we all share is desire for water.