I have thought about joining, but can`t come up with a good reason why I should. My schedule conflicts with every team in my area and I really don`t have a strong desire to compete anyway. Already a member of the NRA and the discounts trump anything USMS can offer. Not a whole lot of equipment needed for swimming, so store discounts don`t really seem all that important. I wonder what percentage of active swimmers are members of the USMS?
Funny you should ask.Originally Posted by chattcatdaddy
In Arizona, we have 819 registered members as of two weeks ago. When I did a survey of all the teams (35) throughout the state, we came up with 1350 swimmers. That means about 55% of the swimmers in our state are actually registered with USMS.
I suspect that is true elsewhere.
Lots of comments on this topic but will withold them for now.
Doug Adamavich
You're here, using the forum. It costs money, as noted by Gull in the existential angst thread in which several, if not many, wring their collective hands and gnash their collective teeth about Ande's blog thread being -- gasp -- moved to the blog section:
I joined before I needed to because I was using the resources here, including the forum and workout section, and felt a need to give back. Sort of the public broadcasting model.No one's opinion has been excluded, but I was under the impression that our dues support this forum (among other services). The 2008 budget for USMS lists $42,015 for "web operations."
At this point in the development of our society, there is virtually no writing which has not been plagiarized at least in part from another. I read that somewhere.
This was no boating accident.
I agree. I think if you're using the resources on this forum and on the site, you should join to help support it. When I joined my team, the coaches told me not to worry about paying for the USMS membership right away, but I was using this forum and the resources on the site like crazy; I almost felt like I was cheating the system.
Our membership varies between 800 and 1,000 -- we have maybe about 12 people competing in USMS meets. Maybe there are about 100 signed up for USMS membership, but only because some of the Ocean swims require it - they make little use of anything USMS offers otherwise.
Our team requires all members to join USMS.
I am. I will be doing my first meet in nearly 2 years at the end of the month...excited too
And I will have the video camera ready
Yea, so we can have a "what not do to at a masters meet, so you don't embarasse yourself in front of new and old friends" clinicAnd I will have the video camera ready
I will warn you that the video camera has been the kiss of death at Colonies meets for a few forumites. The presence of said camera tends to cause swimmers to miss the start of their heats and/or fail to finish their races.
Twizzlers will be the ruin of Western society... or, at the very least, my waistline.
Hmm, I did fail to take the 'Statue of Liberty' start and the 150 Backstroke into consideration.
Must come up with new plan.
I am planning on coming in friday night(depending on what type of flight I find) Anyone know of a good place to swim saturday morning, for a good long loosen up?
Where are you staying, John?
I've been a member of USMS almost since the moment I stepped back in the pool.
The "Statue of Liberty" start is one of the funniest things I've seen at a meet. lol
Are you heading up here for the Sprint meet?
Yup.
Fort, don't know yet. I may fly into BWI(thanks southwest rapid rewards) and drive down on friday or fly in saturday afternoon.
Probably stay close to the pool.
What is the "Statue of Liberty" start?
My team used to have the same requirements. About 2 or 3 years ago the team started doing its own insurance, and dropped the USMS requirement.
For me personally, the $38/year isn't a huge expense, so I continue to do it. I travel a fair amount, and having the USMS card helps with getting into other workouts. I do look at these forums, and elsewhere on the USMS site, for all kinds of info. And if I ever do a meet again, I'll be ready in that regard.
Circa 1999, Sun Devil Masters has between 130-160 swimmers, all of whom had to be registered with USMS. Focus of team was competition, we had good turnout at meets.
Circa 2005, team no longer requires members to have USMS membership. Team now has over 350 swimmers, less than 100 registered with USMS. Meet attendance is tepid at best.
If a team can purchase private insurance and the focus is no longer on competition, what is the value in USMS membership? Look at SDM, DAMM, and other teams that have grown considerably over the past few years as example of this trend. I suspect this will continue until we can make membership compelling for non-competitive swimmers. If/when this happens, our membership will grow considerably.
Note: The forth largest masters team in AZ has 84 members, of which only 4-5 are registered. They are larger than Northern Arizona Masters...
Doug Adamavich
Thank you for not laughing at the 150 backstroke.
Twizzlers will be the ruin of Western society... or, at the very least, my waistline.
Nobody has answered my question yet. What is this Statue of Liberty start?
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