Relay 2025 Forum - Recent Threads

Coaching Challenges Running Workouts for Varying Ability Levels

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:51:50 GMT

Coaching Challenges: Running Workouts for Varying Ability Levels
- Leslie Scott – Greenville Splash Masters, Greenville South Carolina, South Carolina LMSC
- Jeff Commings – Dolphins of the Desert Masters, Tucson Arizona, Arizona LMSC

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/06A-315pm-Coaching-Challenges.pdf:320:240]

RE: Coaching Challenges Running Workouts for Varying Ability Levels

BethanyBurchill — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:59:32 GMT

Notes from KH:

Challenges: Running Workouts for Swimmers with Varying Abilities (Jeff Commings, Leslie Scott)

Building a sense of belonging, be ONE team despite speeds/abilities

Start and finish sets together

Warm for X time so everyone starts together
Announcements (or invitations) - recognize new swimmers, swimmers who swam events) SHORT 1 minute, helps build connections
Drill set - together
Lane Leader to help explaining workout if needed
Lane arrangements by ability

(Jeff sometimes mix up by drawing a lane number but workout is based on rest or other item)

Same interval - but change distance by lane

Eg 1:30 interval, 100, 75, 50 yds

ADD fins if needed

Keep total time the same:

8x100 on 1:30, 6x100s on 2:00 (all end at 12 minutes)

Do fewer reps, but all do same distance

Choose your own adventure - lane choice

All lanes must do the same, eg a breaststroke lane, a sprint lane, but end at same time/interval

Use equipment as an equalizer

Make sure there is a reason, not just to go faster

Butterfly - only x number of strokes fly for slower or less experienced lane:
100 fly, each length 3 fly rest free

Lane Etiquette

Passing

Moving to side

Don’t stay to side after flip turn

Not leaving on time or after time

Mile swim

Ideas - relay, indiana mile

Multiple swimmers in lane

Same warm up - so latecomers know what to expect

Take away equipment to penalize latecomer

Make sure they enter safely - where in a set, etc, best if it is during warmup

Need to hear set from coach

Bad circle swimmers - try swimming clockwise instead of counter clockwise to help them understand body placement

Lane leader - coach picks leader, may switch depending on stroke

5 secs apart, penalize early starters who want drag, don’t give them a time, let swimmers/lane deal with it first

Start over and do it right (eg no gear and someone uses gear)

Talking during set instructions - wait for conversation to finish,

Have lane repeat the set

Assign a person to remember the set - 1st person - 1st round, 2nd person - 2nd round

Fun Ideas

Birthday swim

Social Kick, 5 minute warm down, social for 75, then 25 hard

Relays or games at end of workout (with prizes/swag)

Swap lanes to meet new swimmers

Theme workouts - way to create connectedness

Shark week, sharks at minnow at end of practice

Mardi Gras, (see slide)

Playlist

Swim your buns off - colon cancer fundraiser (ask Leslie for workout - included

notes)

Football

Thanksgiving - turduckin (Ellen)

Halloween - buckets and put in candy

Equipment bring to one side, have last person pick up

1776

kayak/canoe across pool

Breakouts - working on different aspects

Zombie Breakouts - push off to complete stop (and sniff brains), kicking to end

Coach.em.swim (insta) and https://www.coachemswims.com/

Humans vs zombies - zombies come 30 sec later, swag if they catch up

Olympics - swim same as events for that day, or USA medals

Star Wars sets

Halloween - Haunting 100s, tombstone kick,

Working with Triathletes:

Exercise your non-freestyle strokes to help: body position, cross training etc (explain how)

Sighting sets - waterpolo/head up, alligator sighting, back stroke, breastroke

If close to race, give them race specific training

Catch is the same in ALL 4 strokes

Let them wear fins if needed

15X100 to figure out why you go slower vs 1-1500 or 2x 800 hard to pinpoint

Let them swim in their wetsuit

Use paddles with other strokes to help them learn what muscles they are using - they will be SORE!

No wall turns

Serpentine between lanes - good for pool triathlon swims

Emphasize ankle flexibility - fins,

RE: Club Operations - Marketing

Nicole Christensen — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 16:10:34 GMT

Club Operations – Marketing
Kenny Brisbin and Celia Wolff

Presentation will go over how to increase visibility and awareness, strengthen community engagement and getting and keeping swimmers.

Promote your coaches at every level – website, social media, newsletters, emails and meetings. Coaches are your first line of growth. Also, be aware of and promote their value. Focus on their personality and style. Look to use this in clinic and technique sets and post coach bio to promote expertise.

Your club website needs to be regularly updated with current practice times and fees as well as coach contacts. Social Media needs to be updated regularly to keep it top of mind and fresh.

Digital business cards can give quick and easy access to coach contact info, website and social media.

Remember to promote and use 30 day free trial to get people to try your team and then give them a great experience to keep them there.

Keep your newsletters shorter and insert links to take readers to more detailed information.

Keep past swimmers in your communication pipeline to keep your club top of mind. They may decide to come back to your club.

Social media – post your own content but also post content from others like articles, videos, etc from usms to keep your social media always fresh. You do NOT have to only use your own content. Most important to keep it active and keep people clicking on your posts.

Use facebook, Insta gram and tiktok. Use all three as they appeal to different age groups.

Create QR codes to share and post making it easy to push people to where you want them to go.

When you get inquires, make sure to share all information about your club to increase interest. Give them everything you can to make them want to try your club.

Use community outreach to increase awareness. Try –

Volunteering as a club as your local food bank and bring club banner to market your team
Be the post marathon/tri food tent (pancakes, etc) with club branding to create community goodwill and awareness
March in a local parade wearing club branded gear
Think of events in your area – how can you be part of it and make more aware of your club
Man a first aid station at a local event and bring club branding

How do you get team members to participate in these community outreach events?

Give them ½ off of one month fee
Give them swim gear
Recognize them on club website/social media publicly

Partner with Ys, youth clubs and tri-clubs. Don’t forget to use Try Masters swimming!!

Communication – use MULTIPLE methods. Cast a wide net. Different people focus on different ways – use email, group chat, social media, etc. Don’t just use one method. Check out Zeffy, TeamSnap, textedly. Some are free for non-profits.

Make sure your club members know what method you will use for last minute notifications. Make sure they know how to download and install an app if they need to. Send email too but also use your instant notification method.

Make sure to recognize your swimmers, coaches and volunteers. Look at having an annual awards. Use all of these things to promote your club publicly.

Collaborate on Instagram to increase followers.

Create a club All-Star program where swimmers earn points for volunteering, participating in events, signing up for meets, etc. They can use the points to earn a nice award at the end of the year.

Track swimmers’ accomplishments – beginning swimmers and experienced swimmers – and give them a certificate/prize for their success. Post it on your social media, website etc. Have a special section on website/newsletter for swimmer and coach accomplishments. Build loyalty and awareness.

Make sure new swimmers get a welcome bag with branded items, as well as a welcome program that on boards them.

Canva is a GREAT tool for making branded content. Non-profits can get it for free.

Aim for steady growth and TRACK progress. Take attendance. Celebrate small wins as well as large.

Don’t forget to go to your LMSC to ask for help. Maybe they can help pay for lane rental, gear, provide event grants and mentorship.

Don’t forget to get your FREE USMS co-branded banner!!!

These are the notes that I took - Nicole

Club Operations - Marketing

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:37:20 GMT

Club Operations - Marketing
- Celia Wolff –Hawk Masters, North Carolina LMSC
- Kenny Brisbin –Long Beach Grunions, Southern Pacific LMSC

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/03A-1045am-Club-Ops-_2D00_-Marketing.pdf:320:240]

Creating Local Coach Development and Mentoring Programs

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:02:00 GMT

Creating Local Coach Development and Mentoring Programs
- Tim Waud - Oregon Masters Swimming
- Chad Durieux - Rose Bowl Masters, Southern Pacific

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/08B-9am-Coach-Development-Mentoring_2D00_SUNDAY.pdf:320:240]

RE: Creating Local Coach Development and Mentoring Programs

Nicole Christensen — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:59:53 GMT

Creating Local Coach Development and Mentoring Programs

Chad Durieux and Tim Waud

Tim gave a background on his journey becoming a coach as a platform to talk about mentoring. He was fortunate to be asked by an older experienced coach to be a coach on deck at a swim camp where he was guided in the best practices on deck with the swimmers. This led him to apply to be a coach at the Stanford swim camp where he was under the guidance of Richard Quick and Skip Kenny. After a time coaching age group and high school, he took a break and then went into Masters coaching. Bill Brenner, and his training courses, were key to teaching him about planning and coaching.

Key points: Ask questions. Watch and learn. Network with other coaches and take advantage of mentoring programs.

Tim took advantage of the USMS mentor program and was a mentor to a coach from Colorado who flew out for three days to be on deck with him. Tim went over writing workouts, technique and general coaching. He then followed up with going to meet her at her program in Colorado and being on deck with her. The relationship continues and gives them both opp0rtunities to share and learn.

Chad – LMSCs SHOULD be creating mentorship programs within their LMSC. Look for opportunities to support and connect YOUR coaches.

Chad himself benefited from an established mentorship program as a young coach in Canada. During this he had to write workouts, training plans, etc and send them to his mentor for review and comment. This gave him the knowledge and confidence to be a coach and mentor himself. Key thing is for younger, less experienced coaches to be paired with older more experienced coaches as an ongoing program.

On the LMSC level, LMSC should be:

Providing financial support to their coaches for education, stipends for running clinics after getting certified, other educational opportunities.
Provide a mentor platform/program locally
Identify local mentor coaches and coaches needing/wanting mentoring
Train mentors in feedback and support. Honest, direct communication is the best.
Encourage shadowing opportunities.
Build financial support for all of this into LMSC budget.
Recognize/reward mentors and mentees in social media, newsletters, website.
Share success stories
Rotate mentors to keep program fresh.

LMSCs/Mentors and Coaches Chairs should

Set clear goals, objectives and assignments for mentees and mentors
Host regularly scheduled round table calls

Some sites with good training videos for coaches are Professional Swim Training in Oceanside | The Race Club and GoSwim

These are the notes I took - Nicole

RE: USMS Coach and Club Resources and Coach Brainstorm

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:35:06 GMT

AG Session Notes:

USMS coach and Club Resources/Coach Brainstorm:

Breakout groups according to type of programs. Very engaging group and great discussions in all groups. Take away was that people wanted the sharing and the ideas presented by others as every one felt they were missing initiatives and were not optimizing their opportunities. Sharing of emails, and contacts was prolific. Very fun to watch and facilitate my group.

USMS Coach and Club Resources and Coach Brainstorm

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:06:52 GMT

USMS Coach and Club Resources and Coach Brainstorm
- Bill Brenner – Sr. Director, Club and Coach Development, USMS National Office
- Kyle Deery – Chief Marketing Officer, USMS National Office

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/09ABC-10am-USMS-Coach_2600_ClubResources_2D00_SUNDAY.pdf:320:240]

RE: Club Operations - Marketing

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:34:02 GMT

AG Session Notes:

USMS Marketing Initiatives: Celia and Kenny

Very interactive and participatory group. No notes. But lots of chatting and sharing. Numerous fun ideas that are specific to some teams , but also broad. Some that stick out:

Custom logo on gear, stickers, flyers, free swims for a month, volunteering at Tri’s or other events to make pancakes, hand out gear, time, etc., promoting team with clinics, water safety awareness, big discussion on SM-be consistent and pick a platform, BE on SM as emails appear to not be effective

RE: USMS 301 for Experienced Volunteers

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:32:46 GMT

AG Comments from Session:

Volunteer 301: Well attended, nice overview. Few questions. I heard much feedback on learning the “hierarchy” of the “swimming world”. Important info and a well received session.

USMS 301 for Experienced Volunteers

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:25:09 GMT

USMS 301 for Experienced Volunteers
- Ken Brisbin – Vice President, Community Service
- Ed Coates – USMS President
- Crystie McGrail – Vice President, Local Operations
- Robin Smith – Past Vice President, Programs
- [View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/00.5B-730am-USMS-301.pdf:320:240]

RE: Creating Local Coach Development and Mentoring Programs

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:24:22 GMT

AM Session Notes:

Creating Local Coach Development & Mentoring Programs – Chad Durieux, Tim Waud

Create a Mentoring Program – bring people together to make things happen
Be open to help the people (coaches) in your area
Be honest with the feedback and tell them what they need to do to improve – don’t skirt around the issue

What are the qualities of a good coach?

Engaging

Open to feedback

Flexible

Challenging

Interesting workouts

Informative

Knows the rules of USMS

Create a support network for your coaches – use USMS Community Forums for Coaches

LMSC or Club reimburse coaches USMS Membership

LMSC budget to send Coaches to NCC and possibly offer scholarships

USMS to provide 15 minute coaching video to aid new coaches and show what it looks like to be the coach on-deck.

RE: Leveraging USMS Programs& Sub-Brands

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:23:19 GMT

AM Session Notes:

Leveraging USMS Programs & Sub-Brands – Doug Sayles, Brian Robbins, Bill Meier, Jason Weis, Onshalee Promchimart

Every USMS club/team should affiliate with a Grown-Up Swim (GUS) team. GUS is FUN! And a source of new members who decide swimming is their thing.
Give a gift to a new club – USMS swag – available through USMS and Swimoutlet.com
1. USMS - team name branded banner
2. USMS swim caps
3. com gift cards
Set up a Mentorship program
Use Social media for your events and use hash-tags #mastersswimming

Leveraging USMS Programs& Sub-Brands

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:38:39 GMT

Leveraging USMS Programs & Sub-Brands

Bill Meier –Simon’s Rock PaceMakers, New England LMSC
Onshalee Promchitmart –Sarasota Sharks Masters, Florida LMSC
Brian Robbins –Unattached, Georgia LMSC
Douglas Sayles –SwimRI, New England LMSC
Jason Weis –Boston University Masters Swimming, New England LMSC

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/03B-1045am-Leveraging-USMS-Programs-and-Sub_2D00_Brands.pdf:320:240]

Support Your Local Coaches

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:36:06 GMT

Support Your Local Coaches
- Cory Nguyen -OC Riptide Aquatics, Southern Pacific LMSC
- Crystie McGrail -Longmont Colorado Masters, Colorado LMSC

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/02B-915am-Support-Local-Coaches.pdf:320:240]

RE: Support Your Local Coaches

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:22:10 GMT

AM session notes:

Supporting Local Coaches – Crystie McGrail, Cory Nguyen

Provide zoom meetings to give coaches more information. Run by LMSC Coach’s Chair
LMSC consider covering the coaches program swim fees so coaches can get workouts in – possibly with a group/team/club that is not the one they coach.
Have a Guest Coach – develop a Mentor/Mentee program – use USMS mentor program
Encourage and provide financial support for coaches to attend the National Coaches Clinic

RE: How LMSCs Can Support Club Development

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:20:09 GMT

JW session notes:

How LMSC can help new clubs

LMSC pays USMS annual membership fee for LMSC board members.

New Clubs: bring rep from new club to Relay.

Zoom call to explain LMSC (what it means) difference between club and workout group.

Take care who leadership is. Some people want to be in leadership but don’t follow through with the duties they commit to.

Provide clinic for New Club.

Send a welcome letter to new club with swag.

Set up office hours once a week for one person who can answer questions.

Could LMSC help to offset new club costs?

How does LMSC help clubs

Obtain and pay for officials.

LMSC rents city pool 3 times/week in summer. Swimmer pays $10. First Sunday after Labor Day (free swim/breakfast/annual meeting/handout USMS memberships for 4). Open to all LMSC members. Coaches are paid.

Pays for USMS membership for those 80+yo.

Invite clubs to LMSC meetings and ask what LMSC can do for them.

Build pools.

How LMSCs Can Support Club Development

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:54:00 GMT

How LMSCs Can Support Club Development
- Ian King - Walnut Creek Masters, Pacific LMSC & LMSC Development Committee Member
- Bill Brenner – Sr. Director, Club and Coach Development, USMS National Office

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/06B-315pm-How-LMSCs-can-support-club-development.pdf:320:240]

Club Culture: Fostering Participation and Loyalty

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:41:17 GMT

Club Culture: Fostering Participation and Loyalty
- Kysa Crusco - New England LMSC, Granite State Penguins, & NELMSC Communications Chair
- Tara Mack - New England LMSC A&R Chair, Slow 2 Fast Swimming, USMS R&A; Level 3 Coach
- Bill Meier - New England LMSC, ALTS, SSL, Swim Across America Chair
- Kate Stephensen - Pacific LMSC, Davis Aquatic Masters, Level 2 & ALTS Coach

[View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/05A-145pm-Club-Culture.pdf:320:240]

RE: Club Culture: Fostering Participation and Loyalty

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:18:16 GMT

JW session notes:

Club Culture

Kate – Swimmer goals – strengths base approach

When a person passes ALTS – bridge to masters.

Create a safe space to swim.

Kaisa – How to create culture that keeps people coming back?

Stickers for events – use Esty, Canva for ideas

Have fun socials: Sip & Paint party - Soup swap

Tara Mack – Find Common Ground find 3 things in common.

How to change the chronic loneliness. Make people feel welcome. Ask about the person.

Try to use an invitation vs announcement.

We’re just big body kids

Have a thread of fun

Bill – Have something to do with an air of possibility.

Would you give us a discount if we come to have coffee at your business? Would you sponsor us?

Take Katie Ledecky’s 1500 time and try to swim fast as a relay it. (workout)

RE: Support Your Local Coaches

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:15:07 GMT

JW Session Notes:

Supporting Local Coaches – Cory and Christie

Use a specialty workout: Kerry O’Brien foundational butterfly workout

Ask are you interested in being a coach?

Monthly shared lunch (coaches are sent gift card for lunch) with coaches on zoom call.

RE: Club Culture: Fostering Participation and Loyalty

Linda Chapman — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 04:59:08 GMT

33 Slides – FULL of information and ideas
Starred phrases from my notes:
1. Invitation vs Announcement: INVITE people as opposed to announcing an event
2. Use team branding with items from Etsy, 4Imprint, etc. to build a team identity and pride
3. Community service can be a huge win-win for your team and the community
4. Check Eventbrite for ideas on team outings.
5. From Bill Weir: masters teams are social clubs for people who love to swim.
6. Swim practice is a 3^rd place in the community, where people can come every day and not be able to interact with their phone – that’s a gift!
7. Be passionate on deck

RE: Club Operations Financing & Staffing

Linda Chapman — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 04:40:37 GMT

Notes from session:

Goal is to have a corporate structure, revenue, expenses, and staffing that are sustainable for the long term. 15 Slides

Four main areas:
1. Corporate Structure & Governance: For profit, non-profit, Partnership, or Sole Proprietorship. LLC is strongly encouraged, can be any of the former.
2. Revenue – 10 items on bullet list. Don’t leave money on the table
3. Expenses – 10 items on bullet list. Use real data to drive decisions on expense management, cost/value analysis.
4. Staffing – how many, how to manage. If employee is a contractor, not W-2, make sure they come up with the workouts, not you. You can provide a (say) 3-mo season plan which the contractor coach follows to create workouts. Coaches do the details.

Club Operations Financing & Staffing

BethanyBurchill — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:33:44 GMT

Club Operations Financing & Staffing
- Ken Brisbin –Long Beach Grunions, Southern Pacific LMSC, Vice President USMS
- Aaron Schneider –Riptide Masters, Southern LMSC, Coaches Committee
- [View:/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/1273/02A-915am-Club-Ops-_2D00_-Finances-and-Staffing.pdf:320:240]

RE: USMS Coach and Club Resources and Coach Brainstorm

Jacky Merianos — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 22:14:33 GMT

I was in the Coach Owned Team (small) group and we discussed the following:

What are the qualities of a great masters coach?

A welcoming energy and a personality that encourages others
The ability to motivate and uplift swimmers
Genuine empathy and understanding of others
Flexibility and adaptability, both in and out of the water
Whether it’s coaching swimmers of varying abilities or staying upbeat when unexpected facility issues arise, great masters coaches should be able to pivot gracefully
Expertise in stroke technique and training fundamentals

What do coaches want from USMS or their LMSC?

Health and wellness support and resources for coaches.
Networking and professional opportunities for coaches (beyond trainings and conferences)
Access to pools!! (So we may build more programs)
We have the manpower to run programs, we just need the space to do it
Building stronger community ties so we can team up with others to build more pools

I would love to hear what some of the other groups discussed and came up with!

Relay 2025 Forum - Recent Threads

Coaching Challenges Running Workouts for Varying Ability Levels

RE: Coaching Challenges Running Workouts for Varying Ability Levels

RE: Club Operations - Marketing

Club Operations – Marketing Kenny Brisbin and Celia Wolff

Club Operations - Marketing

Creating Local Coach Development and Mentoring Programs

RE: Creating Local Coach Development and Mentoring Programs

Creating Local Coach Development and Mentoring Programs

Chad Durieux and Tim Waud

RE: USMS Coach and Club Resources and Coach Brainstorm

USMS Coach and Club Resources and Coach Brainstorm

RE: Club Operations - Marketing

RE: USMS 301 for Experienced Volunteers

USMS 301 for Experienced Volunteers

RE: Creating Local Coach Development and Mentoring Programs

RE: Leveraging USMS Programs& Sub-Brands

Leveraging USMS Programs& Sub-Brands

Support Your Local Coaches

RE: Support Your Local Coaches

RE: How LMSCs Can Support Club Development

How LMSCs Can Support Club Development

Club Culture: Fostering Participation and Loyalty

RE: Club Culture: Fostering Participation and Loyalty

RE: Support Your Local Coaches

RE: Club Culture: Fostering Participation and Loyalty

RE: Club Operations Financing & Staffing

Club Operations Financing & Staffing

RE: USMS Coach and Club Resources and Coach Brainstorm

Club Operations – Marketing
Kenny Brisbin and Celia Wolff