The State of Master Swimming.

Maybe we should set up a scholarship fund for the people who refuse to spend $0.11/day on a USMS membership. Right on! And for those who won't join because they can't afford $40 per year but would join if it were free: good luck getting them to pay for the pool time/coaching...

Right on! And for those who won't join because they can't afford $40 per year but would join if it were free: good luck getting them to pay for the pool time/coaching... I know those types - they're always asking if they can "borrow" some of my shaving cream after workout to shave. Have never even bothered to pay it back...:censor:

Clone Kerry O'Brien Give people reasons to show up to practice. Coaches that people like grow masters programs. Let's grow good coaches to grow USMS. Bring Kerry to a test tube near you. AGREED!! 100%

The question of what fee or structure of fees is optimal for maximal participation is outside of my area of expertise.From what I do know of human motivation however,the answer is not zero.It is simplistic but true that investing money in something gives it perceived value. There is the anecdote about the woman with a litter of kittens who could not give them away for free,but found she could sell them.Putting a price on them gave them perceived value. I think it's kind of like a free telephone book Allen. Except the swimmer is actually requesting it instead of tripping over it on their doorstep. The athlete will find a whole lot of things to buy beginning with the masters club dues. And then technique clinics, swim related events, and other good values and benefits.

Here we go, found it for your LSC: www.pvswim.org/.../2011_Athlete_Form.pdf - $47 USA-S + $25 LSC = $72 Long story short, the USA-S fees are higher, but it will vary drastically depending on where you live. Thanks. That means I paid $18 for the four events I swam in 3 separate meets. Worth it for me, as I couldn't swim those events in masters meets and was with my kid. Rather than trying to get free USAS or other memberships, maybe the better road to take would be to get more USAS meets dual sanctioned? Kind of a hassle for the meet directors, I know, but I believe this has been done before in PV.

I still haven't heard why USAS and USMS couldn't work out a "reciprocal" arrangement. Join one and "get the other. I would even be willing to cough up an extra $10.00 to have this reciprocation work. Like others, having to join both is a pain, and seems to create competition between the two groups who both espouse "promotion" of swimming. Think about how this would increase the number of clinics, etc as well as meet opportunities. Indirectly, more money can be made on the latter than the registrations.

Rather than trying to get free USAS or other memberships, maybe the better road to take would be to get more USAS meets dual sanctioned? Kind of a hassle for the meet directors, I know, but I believe this has been done before in PV. Is it really that much of a hassle? The meet I'm doing this weekend is dual sanctioned and has been the last few years. Since my masters club and the age group club in Boise are both YMCA sponsored clubs, all of the meets at the Y have been dual sanctioned in the last few years.

USMS is $29 + the LMSC fee (some clubs also charge an additional fee at registration) Look, I appreciate that people have different and often challenging financial situations. But, respectfully, when you (or anyone) says "I can't swing it," I believe that is better phrased as "USMS is not worth the membership fee to me." And that's fine, that's your choice based on your personal cost-benefit calculus. For me they're both about 50 bucks. I suppose swing was a bad term to use because it implies afford. That's not really the case. In short, you're correct. I suppose i'm a bad example as far as prospective members go but there's gotta be at least a couple out there in the same boat as me.

You saying "get in the pool, you're fat!" doesn't work for you? . If it does work they reply"fine,but where are the noodles".

Should USMS consider changing from "Masters" to "Adult" swimming? People often get the idea that they have to be a former competitive swimmer at some high level to join usms when they hear "master" Believe it or not, I think Wookie has a good idea. I think our website will get even more viewers if we change the entrance screen to say, "click here for adult content"