General - Recent Threads

TOP 10 of all time USA masters women age 45-49 all events.

AZ7ZS — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:32:42 GMT

Is there a handy list for this? How can I search for the top 10 OF ALL TIME USA results for my age group? When I search for top 10 WORLD of all time, it shows ALL events in a row per age group. For US results I have to search 1 by 1! Please tell me there is a better way to search for this.

Thank you!

Bonehead LCM-SCY confusion

ForceDJ — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 14:31:38 GMT

You ever make a similar foul up and swim more yardage/meters than you intend? Here’s what I did yesterday. Spending winters in FL, I do my pool swims at the Pompano Aquatics Center in Pompano Beach. It’s a nice complex with two pools. A large, Olympic size pool that is LCM 50m x 8 lanes. Or, set up for SCY, there are 13 lanes, and an area for water polo (or a rec pool when the team isn’t in the water). Most days, the large pool is set up for SCY. And, that seems to be popular for most fitness swimmers, so I just end up in the small SCM 25m x 5 lane pool (even though the water in the small pool is much warmer than I prefer at probably around 85-86°F.) But this winter I’ve gone in the large pool swimming SCY more. Mostly just because the water is cooler. And, since I do mostly long continuous swims for “miles” instead of a ## yards or meters, I just sort of make a mental note that I have to calculate my distance/laps differently — “Large pool = Yards.” You have to reserve lanes online in advance at this complex, and yesterday I reserved a lane in the large pool…thinking I’d be swimming SCY. But when I showed up to swim, the large pool was set up for LCM. No worries. I haven’t done that in a while. But as I swam, I inadvertently messed up thinking “big pool = yards” and was confused when my two-mile swim took me about 4-5 minutes longer than usual. Then it struck me — Duh! I’m swam meters, not yards. So, I ended up swimming ~2¼ miles (3600 meters) instead of ~2 miles (3600 yards). — Dan

High Intensity Training

Allen Stark — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:23:14 GMT

I just got my Streamlines and it has a list of high intensity workouts to swim faster, not longer. I looked at several and while there were sets doing from 25s to 200s,the workouts didn't seem to me to be what I would call HIIT(High Intensity Interval Training) because they were all doing 3000 yards or more in less than an hour. To me HIIT means race pace and as other threads have pointed out here the average Masters swimmer can't maintain AFAP pace or 100 pace without sufficient rest between efforts. Am I missing something?

Swimming pools in Madrid

07UAT — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 20:36:02 GMT

I am flying to Madrid on Saturday (my first time in Spain! On my way to a SwimTrek vacation in the Canary islands!). It is my habit when flying from the East Coast to Europe to try to find a swimming pool to swim some laps as soon as I land. It's usually too early to check into the hotel, and this way I get to take a shower, change, get some exercise to wake up and generally shake off jet lag to keep me going on my first day in Europe.

Does anyone know of pools in Madrid where I might be able to drop in for some lap swimming? I have looked at the places2swim website, which has a number of ideas, but any real-world suggestions from people with first-hand experience would be welcome.

Thanks!

My Letter to the Editor of Swimmer Magazine

Elaine Krugman — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:26:46 GMT

I just sent this to Swimmer Magazine:

Dear Editor,

I was very disappointed to read in your Editor's Note in the January / February 2026 issue that this will be the final year Swimmer Magazine will be published.

The main motivator for joining USMS, in February 2010, was to receive Swimmer Magazine. As a former high school swimmer who had not been properly taught or coached, I relied on the publication for valuable information on learning proper stroke technique, training, and preparing for competition. I read every issue, cover to cover.

Swimmer Magazine also inspired me to start writing Swimmer Profile features and other articles for the Georgia Masters Newsletter, beginning in 2014, which I still do today. I am also the editor and serve on our board of directors.

How sad that membership fees have increased, but a valuable membership benefit will soon disappear.

Elaine Krugman

Communications, Georgia Masters

Augusta Blue Tides

Apps

01N29 — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:07:47 GMT

Does anyone have a recommendation for an app (preferably free or low cost) to help track attendance, dues, USMS membership etc.? Our club is looking for something to help manage administrivia. Thanks!

Swimming in Rome

07UAT — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 01:27:32 GMT

I will be in Rome next month (en route to the Alps to cheer on Team USA!), and I would like to swim some laps. I have two goals:

1) I am trying to swim in every pool that has hosted the Olympics, so I am planning on going to head to the Stadio Olimpico del Nuoto, and I think I have the details ironed out for that, but if anyone has been there and can offer advice, I'm happy to listen.

2) Whenever I fly to Europe I try to hit a pool the day I land, since I typically arrive too early to check in to my hotel, and going to a pool offers me an opportunity to shower, get changed, and get some blood flowing to perk me up for the rest of the day of fighting off jet lag. I arrive mid-day on a Saturday, and the Stadio Olimpico closes at 2pm, so does anyone have any other suggestions about where I might swim?

There are a few threads on this board with swimmers asking the same questions, but they appear to me more than 15 years old, so any fresh information would be welcome.

Thanks!

Swim Fort Lauderdale Club Head Coach Open Position

0ATG4 — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 23:23:35 GMT

The City of Fort Lauderdale posted a search for the head coach of Swim Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Join one of the most successful and competitive USMS clubs in the USA as the head coach. Live in a semi-tropical, income tax-free state, and enjoy all sorts of big city amenities in a small town location. The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center (FLAC) is a state-of-the-art swimming facility featuring two outdoor Olympic pools and a diving well with a 36-meter tower. It is a one-of-a-kind facility built less than 5 years ago. The City is investing another $200 million into the site. It hosts world-class competitive swim events and draws the fastest swimmers from around the world. FLAC is only missing a head coach to take the Club to the next level! Here is a copy of the posting. Feel free to call Mark at 920-540-0882 to discuss the opportunity.

Swimming in Buenos Aires?

02ZUZ — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 14:35:24 GMT

I will be in BA Nov 22- Dec 5 and am looking for a masters team and/or good lap pool. Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you! David

Spam Emails Re: asking for employment on staff?

akangimal — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:37:35 GMT

Hi I received an email from someone in Nigera asking to become employed on oir staff. This person sites swimming experience and sounds like they are somewhat knowledgeable, but we are a very small group in Alaska and are not advertising hiring in any way. I am a triathlon coach as well, and have had spam/scam emails before similar to this. I do not want to respond with my email address, but I do want to reach out juat in case this is a real person. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Swimming breaststroke after arthroscopic surgery for medial meniscus tear: Your experience?

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 22:37:31 GMT

On December 11, I will be having arthroscopic surgery on my knee for a medial meniscus tear (non-swimming related). My surgeon says I will be able to get back in the water and swim with gentle kicking, two weeks post-op, and return to regular training four weeks post-op. For those of you who have had this surgery, what was your experience? How soon were you able to kick breaststroke? When were you able to race (any stroke) again? How soon for breaststroke?

Tbanks!

Elaine

Stopwatch with heart rate monitor

039ZF — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 18:35:19 GMT

Had a heart attack April 2018 and a pacemaker in Nov 2021. My heart was down to 15 % efficiency but taking Entresto first 30%, then 40% and this year 55%. Asked both my Doctor and my Cardiologist and they were emphatic YES.

I am now back in the gym and pool, starting very slow. I got new suits, goggles and the old faithful Ironman watch for lap times. The pacemaker basically keeps my heart above 60 BPM and regulates the internal rhythms. I wore my Apple 8 watch during my inclined leg press and after 30 total at 320 lbs. Rate went from 79 all the way up to 81.

Swam just 4 lengths breaststroke and with no watch I guessed about 75 bpm. But I have a swim meet coming January 17^th (50 breast SCM) and I want to see my heart rate when I kick up the pace. Getting new Gold Zoomers and I know that really works the entire body.

I competed 30 years ago with the Polar on my chest using the Speedo 2000 full body suit. Men can no longer use a full body suit so I am looking for recommendations for arm or swim cap heart rate monitors.

I have seen Polar has one that can attach to the straps on your goggles and saw another one from a vlogger on YouTube that requires a subscription. There are some that attach with a small strap to your upper arm. I really would like to see the results visually as during training I don’t want to get over 140 bpm.

The latest reviews here are over 6 years old, basically in the Mesozoic period. LOL

Notice the Garmin Swim 2 which does a lot of what but kind of expensive. The Polar OH1 does a lot but not real time, I want to see what my heart rate is when I do a hard set.

Please review current watches. Thank you

Training for First Meet - How to Select Event?

R2RVD — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:02:28 GMT

Greetings, all!

I joined US Masters Swimmers in April 2025, and have aspirations of participating in a swim meet by Summer 2026. So far I've been focusing on technique, consistency, and endurance (never swam seriously before joining), but I'm trying to give myself definable goals for the meet.

My husband is getting into running, and it feels like for runners there's a logical progression of doing a 5k, then 10k, then 10 miler, half marathon, full marathon, etc. Does something like this exist in swimming, specifically with the distance aspect?

My favorite strokes are free and breaststroke, so my plan is to train for those heats, but I don't know if it makes sense to do the 50 meter or a longer distance as a first timer. Could anyone share some advice about which distance makes the most sense to sign up for?

Car stickers

RY8J3 — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 20:15:24 GMT

Where can we get a QUALITY USMasters Swimming sticker for a car window? The one I got when I registered is already fading and peeling off after only 6 months.
I don’t think Swim Outlet has them. I’m proud to be part of the organization and want to show that!!!

How come USMS doesn't have a app?

CTRZ7 — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 17:23:19 GMT

Would the membership be open to one if it was a possibility? If so, what would it look like. What useful things would make membership more valuable? For me the following would keep it on my main homescreen:

Pool finder

Partnership with pools to store pool passes to scan at entry

easier to digest forums

easier to digest events (geofenced so you see what's local to you)

Smart watch integration of workouts

Smart watch integration importing of stats of workout

coach portal (you can send a prospective coach swim footage)

Were we all wrong on "our" sport of swimming ?

Erik Hochstein — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 01:05:15 GMT

Listen to this podcast - not a promotion - but this sounds like a different sport and I am on the same "different" path

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME7p6bc56EQ

Achievement question regarding being published 5x's to USMS

031YN — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:07:57 GMT

in the achievements' recognition - there is an award that no one has received. being published 5x's in the magazine. should swimmers consider their part fulfilled once they have submitted five times - since that's what is within the our control, rather than depending on the editors decision about print. Just wanted to understand correctly.

Masters Swim Teams/ Lap pools in Mexico City (CDMX)

KBCEN — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 19:06:20 GMT

HI All,

I will be moving to CDMX in January for a few months and I am currently on a Masters swim team in NYC and would love to keep up my fitness and technique. Ideally would love to join a team to add a social aspect to my travels, but a lap pool will also suffice. I will be staying in Roma Sur/ Hipodromo area. Any leads or suggestions would be appreciated. I know they have several large public pools around the city, but from what I gathered from the website you need a fitness clearance from a doctor, and proof of residence to use those facilities, which might take a while and be more involved than I want to engage in for a workout. If anyone has gone through this process and found it seamless and worth it, that would be great intel as well. Thank you in advance for any suggestions or leads

The day the Forum died

Allen Stark — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 16:00:51 GMT

The Forum died for me 4/3/18. It has been resurrected a couple of times, but it seems to be on life support.

4/3/18 my wife got her hip[ replaced and while I was in the waiting room I logged on the the Forum and it wasn't there and there was an ambiguous message. It finally came back to no fanfare and we were told it was a necessary update. Activity on the forum was low. It was updated again to more fanfare but activity was still low. I inquired about it and was told Forums were an outdated system. This surprised me as the other forum I frequent (for DnD) has gone though similar updates and is vibrant. I am' repeating again on the Forum, my theory and solution. When the Forum was vibrant anyone could post and we were getting posts from all over the world. One person from another country said it was THE best source of information for masters swimmers. Now it is restricted to posts from USMS members only saying it is a perk of membership. It would be a much better perk if it was a vibrant site and good marketing for USMS. Imagine asking about finding a workout in another country and having someone from there answering. That used to happen.

I know USMS staff monitor the Forum, please open it up, I can practically guarantee it will not drop enrollment. Has anyone said ,since 4/3/18, "I'm joining USMS for the Forum.". Open it to the world and someone might.

Masters Swim Team in Uruguay - Natacion Maldonado

Britt03 — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:53:37 GMT

I will be in La Barra/Punta Del Este/Maldonado, Uruguay, for 3 months in 2026 and found the natacion maldonado masters team that I would love to train with during that time. Unfortunately, I could only find an instagram account and I wanted to see if anybody here has a contact to that team.

If you have a contact, even through other swimmers, I would appreciate any and all connections.

Facility stays open, however the pool closes early. perhaps a new reward for getting asked to the pool.

031YN — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:22:27 GMT

i seem to have developed a special talent. being asked to leave the pool while my workout is not complete. I had checked the hours open of the facility and it is specific to the pool. Three time now- typically less that 500 yards to go. the asked by the life gurad that time is up. At this point i think ive earned a new USMS badge - " most politely removed swimmer". Perhaps it could be mad official?

Promise that i will wear this badge with pride.. and goggles.

Swim.com app won't allow me to change privacy settings. Help?

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 23:47:12 GMT

I would like to enter a fitness challenge, so I downloaded the Swim.com app. I am trying to change my privacy settings to enter the challenge, however, the app won't let me. When I click on "New Swim," "Public" is in gray and I am unable to click on it. "Private" seems to be my only option, even though my profile is not private. Will you please help? Thanks!

Swimming in Italy

02AWA — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:28:24 GMT

Hello,

Has anyone swam at pools with Master teams in Italy? If not with a Masters team, has anyone had a good experience at an indoor pool for lap swimming? If so, please advise of the pool and location.

Thanks,

Doug

Bad Race

Allen Stark — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 03:37:31 GMT

I got the idea for this at a recent meet and worked on it some since

With apologies to Daniel Powter:

There was the moment you needed the most

You look at the board and you see that you lost

Was all your training all in vain

should you hide your head in shame,

No, there's no need to get all down

You just had a bad race

the clock it don't lie

turn it around and kiss it good bye

learn from your mistakes then give it a try

Next time you'll be faster,

You just had a bad race

You had a bad race.

Which time conversion tool do you think is most accurate from LCM to SCY?

Elaine Krugman — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 18:23:48 GMT

I swam in my first LCM meet since 2018, this past weekend, less than a week after competing at the National Senior Games. Curious to see how my LCM times converted to SCY, I ran them through five different time conversion tools I found in a Google search, so I could compare my race results between the two meets. Yikes! Not only were the time conversions inconsistent, Swimming World's tool was way off compared to the others. Take my 200 LCM backstroke time of 4:05.87. Swimming World converted it to 3:33.66, and four other tools converted it to 3:41.50, 3:40, 3:45.40, and 3:39.34. My previous best time in that event in the 60-64 age group was 3:39.7 in May, 2024. I have been working on my stroke technique in that event, so it would be nice to believe the Swimming World converted time, but how accurate is it? The converted times are all over the board! My converted 200 IM time had an even larger differential. Swimming World's converted time was nine seconds faster than two of the other conversion tools!

I am curious to hear which time conversion tool you all think is the most accurate. Thanks!