Do I have to participate in swim meets?
Though we certainly encourage meet participation, you are not obligated to participate in swim meets. Only a small percentage of Inland NW Masters and United States Masters Swimming members participate in swim meets.
I want to become a member. How do I join?
Just click the reistration link, download the registration form, fill it out and mail it in with your check payable to IWSMC.
Can I try a couple of sessions with my local team before I join?
Every team has a different policy. According to USMS policy, you have 30 days from your first workout to register. After 30 days, you and the swimmers you swim with will not be covered by USMS secondary accident insurance.
How do I determine what kind of membership I am eligible for?
Inland NW Masters has three types of memberships
- Individual membership ($30 annually) which goes from January 1-December 31 of each calendar year. Registrations for each calendar year start on November 1. New members registering in November or December get 13 or 14 months of membership. We recommend that you renew your annual membership in November or December.
- Couple membership ($55 annually) which goes from January 1-December 31 of each calendar year. This option is for couples in the same household.
- Late year membership ($18) for new members who join in the months of September and October. Membership expires on December 31 of the same year.
When I send in my application for membership, how long will it take for me to receive my membership materials?
After we receive your application, you can expect to receive your membership card within approximately two weeks. If you have not received your membership card after a month, please contact our registrar.
Are the membership fees paid annually or one-time only?
Membership dues are annual; once you join, you will need to renew your membership at the end of each calendar year. In general we ask that you renew your membership in the months of November or December.
How do I make sure you have my updated contact information?
The information indicated on your membership card is what we use. Should you need to change this information you may do so by clicking here.
What can I expect from my USMS membership?
Your member experience is comprised of workouts and activities at the local team level as well as from the regional and national levels. You also receive the USMS Swimmer Magazine and the Splashmaster newsletter
If I'm a member in one LMSC but have relocated to another area, can my membership be transferred to the LMSC in the city I move to?
Yes. There are multiple ways you can do this.
One way is continue your membership with your old LMSC until the end of the calendar year and renew your membership with the new LMSC for the following year. You may want to contact the registrar in the new LMSC to see if you can receive email or newsletter communication during this period of time.
Another way is to transfer your membership. This requires you to contact the registrar in the new LMSC, present your current membership card, and fill out the appropriate paperwork. This transfer does not take place immediately.
The only benefits of an immediate transfer are in the point accumulation at meets. Your insurance coverage, subscription to USMS Swimmer Magazine, and ability to participate in swim meets, clinics and open water swims remain the same.
Common Terms Club: Groups of teams that compete on a national basis. Local Masters Swimming Committee (LMSC): The local organization that registers swimmers and runs swimming events. Our geographic area is from the Cascade Range east to the Montana border, south to the Oregon border, and north to the Canadian border. Postal Event: A swimming competition that is conducted at your local pool with the results sent to the event host for tabulating. At this level you would be competing with all swimmers of your gender and age group from across the country. This is a great way of competing without leaving home. Postal events that WSU Masters participate in include: One Hour Swim in January, the February Fitness Challenge, and the 3000/6000 Postal Championships in September and October. USMS/Aquatic Sports Convention: an event that happens each fall where the leadership of United States Masters Swimming meets to conduct the business of the organization. Such business might include coaching seminars, rule changes, and determining the host locations for national championships. In addition to USMS, other national aquatic governing bodies also meet during the same convention, including USA Swimming, USA Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming, and USA Diving. |
page updated June 11, 2005
Inland Northwest Masters Swimming—the local masters swimming committee of United States Masters Swimming. Serving fitness and competitive swimmers in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. For corrections and updates to this site, please contact the Web Master |
