The State of Master Swimming.

Please let someone else be in charge of advertising. I was going to suggest me and muppet. Then I realized people wouldn't see our scuplted bodies...just our hair.

So how did you all get into Masters swimming? For me, when I moved into a new area (UK), I went to the local pool to see what was on offer and on the notice boards was a lot of info about the age group club and a section for the Masters. So although I'd been out of the water for 8 or so years, and was the ripe old age of 25 thought, well I can give it a go. If I hate it I don't have to go back? Anyway I really enjoyed it, met a lot of friends, improved, took time off, had 2 babies then moved to the US. So I started looking again - online this time, found USMS, as I knew that Masters swimming "existed". I have officially joined up this year so that I can access the coached workouts, get the mag and compete locally. My local pool does offer a masters program at 5.30 every morning. There is a small notice by the pool and the "class" is buried in the activities brochure they publish quarterly. There is however no mention of USMS as an organisation. So firstly the masters swim can only be found if you know what you're looking for and secondly USMS is not mentioned alongside. If you really want to attract the lap swimmers, the ex-age groupers after a break and anyone else that swims recreationally you need to physically get information into those rec centers. (At the risk of stating the obvious!:bolt:) Also perhaps if anyone can think back as to how you started - can that avenue be improved?

We could advertise late at night on TV. Hire a model, put her in a bikini (or him in a skimpy Euro-trash suit): "Come join me in the adult swimming lane and I'll teach you how to move fast in the water. I promise we'll hit all the HR training zones." We could even set up a 1-900 number to accept membership applications.:bolt: Tryin to make a valid suggestion. Ya'll are a bunch of sick folk. Gonna go back to my cave.

Maybe so Geek. But I think masters swimming can help the desperate state of a lot of our communities: Pools are closing Swim Programs are closing Swim Coaches don't have large enough programs to be a "full-time professional coach" Triathletes are racing unsafely Americans are out of shape and obese Depression is rampant Senior citizens are inactive slowing them down faster How many adults still need or would like to learn how to swim? Kids needs to see adults leading an active fit lifestyle as an example Add to the list... USMS can certainly do their part to spread the love. 1st year free. I'm sorry but I don't agree with much of this list. Swim programs are not disappearing. Pools are not closing. Yes - a few newbie triathletes are drowning. But USAT seems to have noticed and will address it on their own. Americans are out of shape and obese - absolutely a problem. But a free USMS membership is no magic potion. Depression is rampant? Maybe because they are unemployed or lost their house. I still think a very useful and tactical action for USMS is to develop a linkage with USAT. That is a proven group of adults, three times the size of USMS, and they need pool time and coaching. They also spend money on carbon fiber and can easily afford a USMS membership. If they come to USMS from USAT - let 'em join for half price.

I love Masters Swimming and USMS.I feel we are a great group of great people and that meets are wonderful,but I am a competitor.What does USMS have to offer to the non-competitors.Yes some Masters teams require membership,but beyond that how can we make membership attractive to the general adult swimming population? What is the value of membership to them?We need something we can say in 2 sentences to people we run into to get them interested.

Really interesting comments. I personally consider 40 bucks pretty cheap for everything that it includes. Insurance for one. The original question really asks where the programs are and why. In so cal, we have at least 10 50mt pools within 10 miles. They have coached programs and numerous workout options. We have great year round weather and healthy competition between local clubs. But local meets are small compared to the numbers. We have about 10% who compete. It is very expensive to travel, but that did not stop over 2000 athletes from attending atlanta. It is amazing how many swimmers train alone across the coutry. I am amazed how motivated they are. What about involving the parents of your local us teams to begin swimming. They could be the start of future masters programs. And they may have clout about pool usage. Coaching, clinics,are all great tools. Bwork with your local us coach. Good luck to all.

We need something we can say in 2 sentences to people we run into to get them interested. You saying "get in the pool, you're fat!" doesn't work for you? I tried that the other day - :argue: - wait a minute, I have to replace the bandage on my lip...

USMS and USA-S are two completely separate organizations with their own infrastructures. Let's pretend there is a masters club at State University and you swim there. You pay quarterly dues of let's say $300 to swim there. Those dues go toward paying the coach, using the facility, perhaps getting a team newsletter, kickboards, etc. and maybe they give you a cap each year. Across town there is another masters club at the community college. They pay monthly dues of let's say $75 to swim on that team. Those dues pay their coach, pool time, a tshirt, their newsletter, blah blah blah. This is inconvenient for you because you want to swim with one program before work on Mon-Wed-Fri but swim with the other program on weekends because it is closer to your home. Now I want you to ask the coach at State University why the two programs can't just get their act together and make it easier for you to be able to swim at both since at the end of the day all you want is to swim. Mr R - I'm not talking about all the "club" dues etc that add to the overall cost of practicing at any particular "club" venue, just the USMS/USAS memberships. One would still have to deal with all local club fees if one swam with a particular club. However, for the many "independent" swimmers going it solo out here in the hinterlands, it would open up more opportunities to participate across both organizations.

I pay because I like the sport and this organization really cares about swimming. To me it is more of more of a donation to keep the sport alive. Aside from the ability to swim in meets, and this forum, membership doesn't have much to offer me. Others probably love the goodies offered but I'd be happier with a t-shirt.

Mr R - I'm not talking about all the "club" dues etc that add to the overall cost of practicing at any particular "club" venue, just the USMS/USAS memberships. One would still have to deal with all local club fees if one swam with a particular club. However, for the many "independent" swimmers going it solo out here in the hinterlands, it would open up more opportunities to participate across both organizations. I tried to make an analogy using two clubs to convey my point about you trying to compare the two organizations (USA-S/USMS). If you understand why you can't merge two clubs, hopefully you can understand you can't merge the two organizations because they are also two fully separate entities.