Hurricane Masters Swim Team

Columbus Aquatic Club—P.O. Box 4581—Columbus, GA 31914

Office: 706-561-2547—Email: cachurricanes@bellsouth.net

Copyright © 2008-2009 Columbus Aquatic Club, Inc.  All rights reserved.

The FAQs

 

You’re an Adult—Now, Swim Like One!

 

What’s the First Step?

If you’re ready to swim, just grab your suit and goggles and come on in to the pool; it’s that simple!  There are shower and locker room facilities at our pool so you can dress for work here if you need to.  We’re not a “class”, so there’s no better or worse day in the year to get started.  Come ready to dive in on weekdays at 5:00 AM if you need to, or arrive and begin later if you’re planning on practicing for only an hour or so.  Coach will give you a brief overview on pool etiquette and our workout structure when you arrive.  The coach will also provide you with a Medical Information & Emergency Release Form and a USMS Registration Form if you didn’t already get them from the Team Area page of this website.  If you’d like to come in fully-clothed and just watch first, or talk to the coach outside of the regular workout time before you swim with us, then that’s fine too.  Either way, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the pool!

 

Why Swimming?

Everyone has different reasons for swimming and for joining.  Recapture the excitement of team social experience, train harder with a like-minded group, and maintain life-long fitness.  With the Hurricanes Masters you can simply have fun or train for your next race in the hands of an experienced coach.  We’re here to provide you with a positive—and progressive—atmosphere where you can realize your aspirations in and through swimming.  5-Time US Olympic Swimming Team member Dara Torres is 41, and John Taylor of the Georgia Masters Killer Whale  (GMKW) Team in Atlanta just added 3 more—for a total of 5—Georgia records last year in the 85-89 year-old Age Group; it’s never too late to start! 

 

Who Swims with the Hurricane Masters?

Maybe you are a “swim parent” and tired of just watching.  Maybe you’re in college now and not swimming.  Or, maybe you’re an adult who used to swim and wants to get back in the water.  Even if you’re an elite multi-sport athlete trying to strengthen that third event, or an aspiring triathlete or swimmer with little to no experience—the Hurricane Masters is the place for you!  We’re not a swim-lessons program, but as long as you can move forward in the water in at least one stroke, we’ll help you get better with whatever else you want to do.  Only a small percentage of our Masters are post-collegiate or post-age group swimmers and are looking to actively participate in competitive swimming events.  Another small but growing cohort consists of active or aspiring triathletes—some with incredible experience, and some that are just starting out.  Many of our team members are general fitness enthusiasts leading an active and healthy lifestyle who use swimming for weight management or as a non-impact form of aerobic exercise.  Our members include full-time college students as well as top professionals in their field with ages ranging from 19 years old to almost 60 years young!

 

When and Where do the Hurricane Masters Swim?

September through May the Hurricane Masters swim 5:00-6:30 AM at the D.A. Turner YMCA on Warm Springs Road in North Columbus.  Practices are available up to five days a week; Monday through Thursday and most Saturdays.  Come in and get started on weekdays as early as 5:00 AM; begin later if you’d like, but allow enough time to finish your workout and exit the water by 6:30 AM.  We offer a loosely-structured practice session for Masters 8:30-10:00 AM on Saturdays when our coaches are not away at meets.  During the summer months, the Hurricane Masters swim Monday through Thursday 6:00-7:30 AM at the Double Churches Park outdoor 50-meter pool.  Photos, directions and maps to both pools may be found on the Locations page.

 

What are the Fees?

The cost of participation is $30 per month (or a discounted price of $25 per month for all current YMCA members) billed in 3-month increments.  Pay for three months by September 1st, and come to as many practices as you want during SEP-OCT-NOV.  We repeat the same process for DEC-JAN-FEB, MAR-APR-MAY, and JUN-JUL-AUG.  We pro-rate the cost, to the day, for anyone new that joins us mid-session.  The only other cost associated with our program is an annual membership fee ($38) paid to U.S. Masters Swimming.  We are not a YMCA program, and you do not have to be a member of the YMCA to swim with us.

 

Will I have a Coach?

Yes—on and off the pool deck!  Former competitive swimmer, cyclist, runner, and triathlete, USMS-registered and USA-S certified Coach Brian Jennings will oversee the Fall/Winter/Spring practices sessions.  However, our team swims alongside the City Parks & Recreation Department’s seasonal masters group at the Double Churches Park Pool under the supervision of Coach Mike McCardle each summer.  You may read more about our coaches on the Coaching Staff page of this website.  Since we accommodate adult swimmers and triathletes of any age and ability level, our coaches tailor both workouts and feedback to meet the needs of each participant.

 

Why do I have to join USMS?

The Hurricane Masters (HURR) are an officially-licensed chapter of the Georgia Masters (GAJA) super-team.   GAJA is an officially registered member team in United States Masters Swimming (USMS)—the governing body for the sport of adult swimming in the US.  You never have to go to any meets, and you never have to compete if you don’t want to.  Here, you have the Masters Prerogative—meaning you may participate as actively or as passively as you decide, but you still must obtain a USMS annual registration.  The only exception to this USMS policy is when you are still within an initial “30-day trial period.”  Don’t be fooled by a name; there are a lot of groups out there calling themselves “masters.”  If you swim with any group that allows an unregistered or uncertified coach, or even a single unregistered participant, then you are NOT covered (read What do I get for Joining below), and it is NOT Masters Swimming!

 

How do I join USMS?

Download and print the Registration Form or complete the online registration with a credit card in less than two minutes.  If you’re printing the paper form, fill in your personal information and team affiliation, and mail the form to the GA Registrar (address on the form) along with a check for $38.  When registering via either option, you may: (1) Affiliate with our chapter (HURR) of the Georgia Masters (GAJA) super-team, (2) Swim with us as an UNATTACHED member of USMS, or  (3) Swim with us while remaining registered and affiliated with any other official team.  Online registrants receive their credentials immediately, and if you mail the paper form, your registration card will arrive at the address you specify within days.  All memberships are valid through December 31st of the current calendar year.  USMS registration usually opens for the following year by mid-November. 

 

What do I get for Joining?

You’ll be connected!  You’ll be a part of a nation-wide, grass-roots network of like-minded individuals.  Your USMS membership provides you with an electronic newsletter (snail-mail if requested), a SWIM Magazine subscription, and most importantly, it licenses you to participate in practices supervised by USMS-registered and USA-S certified coaches.  It’s also necessary in order to participate in any sanctioned competition.  Moreover, it protects both you and your coaches with excess accident insurance during any sanctioned USMS event or practice session.  Take your membership card with you when you travel for swimming competition, business or vacation; nearly all Masters groups will gladly welcome visiting swimmers who are registered.  Triathletes, this is just like getting—and just as essential as—your USAT card.  You must be at least 18 years old to join USMS.

 

Additional Race Opportunities

 

2009        More USAT triathlons and multi-sport events throughout the country Here

 

2009        More USMS swim meets & open water events throughout the country Here

Race Splitting Guidelines

Top Times—yards

T30-Based Training Paces—yards

T30-Based Training Paces—SCM

2009 USMS Rulebook

2009 USMS Mini Rulebook

Hurricane Masters Swim Team Records—yards

Hurricane Masters Swim Team Records—LCM

Masters Short Course Nationals Qualifying Time Standards (2009)

Blue Cap Award Requirements

Masters Athlete Information & Liability Waiver (submitted with first month dues)

Online USMS Registration —or— 2009 USMS Membership Application (paper form)

GA Masters Athlete Transfer Form

 

Masters Team Area

Contact the Webmaster

 

Questions for PEP Talk