The MSO Swimmer Survey - Autumn 1996

The Membership Liaison Committee surveyed MSO members to characterize the interests and involvement of participants of our sport. The results of the 1996 survey are summarized below

Response rate

9.4 %; 216 swimmers of 2306 MSO members responded.

1. Why do you swim?

2. How did you choose the club you currently belong to?

3. What are your reasons for leaving another club?

4. Competitions/Meets Attended (1995/96)

In this category, the percent of responding swimmers who attended at least one meet in the category were considered.

5. Where did MSO swimmers compete (1995/1996 season)?

6. What factors do you consider when deciding whether to enter a meet?

7. Is your current club acceptable?

8. Interest in MSO providing services to clubs?

9. Internet Access

• 28% (60 of 216) of responding swimmers have internet and email access

10. Other Comments

"I would like to see advertising and media stories with emphasis on Masters swimming as a fitness activity, rather than mainly competitive......more community awareness."

"Remember most Masters swimmers are fitness swimmers and that family, career, and financial responsibilities come first."

"...would like MSC News and other news for small isolated clubs in order to alleviate the feeling of isolation."

"...would like to see coaches make sure workouts are graded to all levels of ability and provide year plan or goals."

"...would like to see a swim meet schedule early in the year to avoid major conflicts."

"...would like the club names, locations, workout times, and contact person(s) put back in the handbook."

"...would like to see a comparative price list of Masters clubs."

"...would like to find individual coaching on a fee per hour basis."

"information on how other clubs are handling dwindling numbers"

"...would like to start a mini-triathlon club within a club"

Lots of great comments about how much Nepean Masters like their club.

"...would like to see better graphics on meet t-shirts."

"I started swimming 4 years ago after retiring at the age of 51, and have never felt better!"

Conclusions and Suggested Actions we might take:

1. People are swimming primarily for fitness, where and when it fits into their lives. So we should be encouraging clubs to emphasize this and be flexible. A. flexible fee schedules, B. flexible attendance schedules, C. workouts aimed at fitness as well as competition, D. club membership flexibility, E. making it easier for swimmers to find out about clubs

2. Making Masters Swimming more visible as an excellent fitness activity. A. brochure or posters, B. media articles or T.V. and radio promotion

3. Improve the competition program. A. early meet schedule planning, B. meet cost guidelines, C. variety in swim meets - events, time of year, day of the week

4. Coaching Resources. A. tips and workouts, B. perhaps help in finding coaches