The State of Master Swimming.

Tall Paul, Doug Adamavich and I have spoken about trying to create sister-clubs (CA-AZ) which could host each others swimmers when traveling out of state. Time and expense to travel is hard enough. But if there are friendships being stoked and part of the expense reduced, out of state travel can be a little less painful.That's a good idea, but, for me, it's usually the time constraint. I am so tantalizingly close to a great lineup of meets between SoCal and NorCal (~1 to ~2 hour reasonably priced flights), but getting away for a weekend doesn't usually work. What bothers me is when you have places (Arizona!) where we have a number of great and large Masters teams, but then get such piddly turnout at meets. I'm still befuddled by the people who train just to train. I don't get the point of that. If more people would show up for meets, we'd have more meets ... and I think those people would end up getting more health and fitness out of their subsequent training.

my guesses are 1. Which State has the most swim meets. CA 2. Which State has the most master swimmers registered. CA 3. How many master swimmers registered are in the USA 50K

Yes - totally disappointing :( I don't know which state you are located, but is it near another "masters swimming" state? Tall Paul, Doug Adamavich and I have spoken about trying to create sister-clubs (CA-AZ) which could host each others swimmers when traveling out of state. Time and expense to travel is hard enough. But if there are friendships being stoked and part of the expense reduced, out of state travel can be a little less painful. There is a reasonably close alternative, but it's still a haul to go to those meets (2-4 hours drive).

I'm pretty sure we have just over 50k total membership. If you go here: http://www.usms.org/lmsc/ and click on an LMSC (or choose it from the drop-down list), you get an information page with the membership for that LMSC. Unfortunately there is not an exact matchup between LMSC and state boundaries. But here are some populous LMSCs: Pacific: almost 11,000 members South Pacific: about 4600 members So California total has about 15.5 K membership, about 30% of the total. I don't think any other states come close to that. Texas seems to have about 2.5K if you add up all its LMSCs; Florida has about 3K between its two. I've always thought Potomac Valley -- quite small geographically but with 2800 members and 28 clubs -- was one of the most "dense" LMSCs. (You can interpret that descriptor however you wish... :))

I've always thought Potomac Valley -- quite small geographically but with 2800 members and 28 clubs -- was one of the most "dense" LMSCs. (You can interpret that descriptor however you wish... :)) As a founding member of DC Masters in 1973, I resemble that remark, Chris, in many ways! I think the early push for Masters Swimming by some really gung ho folks in that area, like Frank and Nancy Clark, created a lot of interest which has just continued. Even in the early days we had 3 or 4 meets a year, and having some Olympians around didn't hurt the publicity. Taking large teams to Nationals and winning several championships helped also. And there are some folks from the early days who are still involved. That's the only thing I miss about that area, and once I retire, I plan to make it to some meets up there again.

I have seen many of the posts made here from master swimmers from all over the USA, Canada and the World. It has me wondering about the state of master swimming. 1. Which State has the most swim meets. 2. Which State has the most master swimmers registered. 3. How many master swimmers registered are in the USA Well... we don't really like to brag here in CALIFORNIA :) Personally, I thank God there are lots of masters meets and swimmers in other United States though! Would like to see the numbers from Japan, Australia, and some place in Europe as well.

it's more worthwhile for the money right now to join USAS because of sheer lack of masters meets (5-6/year versus 3-4 per weekend with USAS). :( Yes - totally disappointing :( I don't know which state you are located, but is it near another "masters swimming" state? Tall Paul, Doug Adamavich and I have spoken about trying to create sister-clubs (CA-AZ) which could host each others swimmers when traveling out of state. Time and expense to travel is hard enough. But if there are friendships being stoked and part of the expense reduced, out of state travel can be a little less painful.

lots of masters meets and swimmers in other United States though! Wish I could say that. There are few meets in my state. If there were more I'd consider joining, but it's more worthwhile for the money right now to join USAS because of sheer lack of masters meets (5-6/year versus 3-4 per weekend with USAS). :(

I believe USMS and USA-Swimming have the tools to create great programs and benefits for members. But their strength is not signing up new members. Rob Butcher is a sales guy - he knows how to sell masters swimming. Challenge Rob to do what he does best - sell his sport. There is a potentially great USMS Club & Coach Development Team. Challenge this team to put a club in every possible town that has a pool. And then assist the head coach to learn how to sign up new USMS members. And - sign them up for free with a confirmed email/address! Even if they do not join the local club right away. A new member might be sold when they attend their first USMS Clinic. Start bringing USMS Clinics and events at the most novice of levels to these areas - and charge $$ for them. Make $$ by charging for clinics & events & sponsorship, not dues. Other options: #1 first year USMS membership is free #2 very low dues (not as likely to succeed)

Both USAS and USMS are great national programs with good resources, and both offer benefits to their respective groups. Both "promote" swimming at every age. How about a "reciprocal" arrangement where if you sign up for one, you "get" the other membership for free? I still struggle with the idea that these two programs can't work this out. I have to maintain a coaching status in one, and a swimmer status in the other. How inane is that?