USMS Registration
Last updated Aug 15 2024 08:01 pm by Wyckoff, Benjamin.
U.S. Masters Swimming Member, Event, Trial Registrations
Click: Join to register online as an individual for USMS Membership. While USMS does prefer that members register online, you may print a USMS Registration Form and send it to Ben Wyckoff, 186 Surrey Dr, Orange CT 06477. Please make checks out to CTLMSC.
USMS offers a One Event Registration intended for swimmers who would like to try a meet before deciding to sign up for a year. You may print and submit a completed form to the meet director along with payment. For more information on One Event Registrations, please click here.
If you would like to try USMS for a 30-Day Tryout period, please use the online 30-Day Tryout/30-DayTrial/Guest Membership Application.
If you would like to change your affiliated club (including switching to or from UC05), you may email the CT LMSC Membership Coordinator Ben Wyckoff with the requested change. You may also print out a USMS Application for Transfer of Club Membership Form and send this form to Ben Wyckoff for transfers to clubs in the Connecticut LMSC.
Club Registration
New and returning clubs and workout groups can register online by clicking on https://www.usms.org/reg/club/. If your team is already registered, they will receive a link from the USMS National office. If your group would like to compete as part of CONN Master’s at larger meets but would like to have the benefits of being a USMS recognized group (benefits included working with Coach and Club services and access to USMS Club supplies) consider becoming a workout group instead of a club.
All members that do not sign up for a club will be part of “UC05”, which is the unattached “team” for Connecticut. Members of this club will not be allowed to do relays. This rule was created to satisfy rules withing the larger FINA Master’s Swimming. Please consider joining a club even if you don’t plan on competing.
When registering for USMS, you will be first guided to pick an LMSC (Local Masters Swim Committee). This is selected for you based on your zip code, but can be changed to any LMSC. Underneath the LMSC, you will be ask to select a CLUB. The first choice for club is Unattached (Will appear as UC05). Unattached (Will appear as UC05) is listed as a club for FINA Master’s Swimming rules and will be listed as a club. All actual clubs are listed underneath Unattached (Will appear as UC05). You MUST select a club. We would like all CONN Masters to select a club other than Unattached (Will appear as UC05). If you do not practice with a club that is listed, please choose Connecticut Masters as your default. By USMS rules, you are not required to practice with any club or workout group in order to belong to that group for membership purposes.
RELAYS: The importance of choosing a club other than UC05, is for doing relays. No member of an unattached club may ever participate in relays. Results of relays including UC05 members may not be submitted to USMS as legal relays. Any member of the same club can participate in relays together, regardless of workout group. Therefore, a CONN Masters relay may for example include members of Orange Masters Swim Club (OMSC), Middletown Masters (MTWN), Water Rat Masters (WRAT), and a member with no workout group affiliation but may not include a UC05 member as they are not part of the CONN Masters Club.
If the club you choose has workout groups (not all do), you will be asked if you would like to pick a workout group. You are not required to select a workout group and many do not. The advantage of choosing a workout group is manly for team pride and some clerical advantages for workout group leaders. It will not effect your ability to participate in any event or relay.
Join/Renew with USMS Today
Join or renew with nearly 60,000 adults who swim for fitness, fun, and friends
Benefits of Joining U.S. Masters Swimming
Become a member today and take your swimming to the next level. Here are just some of the great benefits you'll receive.
Technique and training advice - SWIMMER magazine, STREAMLINES newsletters, and here on the website
Workout Library - featuring seven specialties and 1,000s of workouts for every swimming level
Training plans - 17 different time-based or event-based goals (NEW)
Video stroke analysis - 5-minute video analysis on one stroke at a discounted rate (NEW)
Events - ability to participate in USMS pool, open water, or virtual events
Local club workouts - access to swim with our 1,200 clubs
Additional Swim.com benefits - free access to challenges, workouts, and clubs, plus swim workout data
Exclusive discounts - save up to 50% on products
Free SwimOutlet+ membership - features 2-day shipping, exclusive member pricing, and 5% back on purchases
Digital Community - to connect, learn, and share with members and coaches nationwide
And much more
If you're new to swimming, check out our What is U.S. Masters Swimming page and our Masters Swimming 101 guide.
Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why you should join today.
If you have any questions, please contact our membership team at 941-256-USMS (8767) or email membership@usmastersswimming.org.
Membership FAQs
What is a USMS membership?
A U.S. Masters Swimming membership allows an athlete to practice with local Masters Swimming programs and participate in USMS-sanctioned meets while receiving membership benefits that include 1000's of searchable online workouts, a subscription to SWIMMER magazine, the STREAMLINES newsletter, inclusion in the USMS national times database, discounts from USMS partners, insurance coverage, and eligibility to qualify for and compete in USMS National Championship events.
A yearly membership also includes access to more than 2,600 USMS-certified coaches, a network of 1,500 Masters swim clubs and workout groups, written practices tailored to what you’re training for, and fitness tracking through an integration with Swim.com or our Fitness Log.
How do I become a USMS member?
The fastest way to become a member is on our Member Registration page. Once the registration process is completed, you can print or add your membership card to your digital wallet and start using your membership immediately to register for meets and take advantage of your My Account section which includes discounts from our partners.
How are the membership fees broken up?
A USMS membership fee consists of a national fee and a Local Masters Swimming Committee (LMSC) fee.
What is a Local Masters Swimming Committee (LMSC)?
When you become a member of USMS, in addition to registering with a club or workout group or as an unattached swimmer, you also become a member of your Local Masters Swimming Committee (LMSC). Your LMSC is a regional governing body that provides certain benefits to USMS members, event sanctions, newsletters about activities within the LMSC, websites, awards and recognition, and social activities. Your LMSC officers are local volunteers, sit on USMS national committees, and vote on policies that set the overall direction for USMS.
To learn more check out our LMSC information page.
Where does my USMS membership fee go?
Membership fees are used toward making an investment in expanded programs, services, and membership benefits. These include an improved Workout Library, more sanctioned events, more local club swimming opportunities, an enhanced digital Community, more training courses for coaches, member clinics throughout the country, stroke development clinics for swimmers, a digital version of SWIMMER magazine, a College Club Swimming program, Adult Learn-to-Swim classes, and more member discounts and offers.
Is a USMS membership based on a calendar year or a revolving year?
USMS membership is based on a calendar year period (January-December). However, the registration year starts on Nov. 1 of the current year for the following year. If you join in Nov. or Dec. of the current year, you can get the reminder of the current year and until Dec. 31 of the following year.
Can I cancel and/or defer my membership?
All memberships have a no-refund/cancel/deferment/transfer policy.
FAQS CONTINUED ….
1. What is Masters Swimming? Masters swimming in an intimidating way of saying adult swimming. Swimmers must be 18 in order to join USMS, but one might be allowed to join a masters program younger (check with your local program for requirements). All abilities are encouraged to join. Masters refers to the age, not the standard of swimming.
2. What is USMS? United States Masters Swimming or USMS is the organizing body of adult swimming in the US.
3. What is CONN Masters? CONN Masters is two things. United States Masters Swimming (USMS) is organized into 52 Local Master’s Swim Committees (LMSC); some are areas like Metropolitan (the NYC area) and others are individual states. CONN Masters is the LMSC for the state of Connecticut. CONN Masters is also a Club Team that swims in USMS meets. CONN Masters also has other clubs that belong to the LMSC. CONN Masters promotes fitness swimming, pool competitions, open water swimming, triathlons and USMS. Swimmers are encouraged to work and compete at your own pace, use swimming as an opportunity to be social, and have fun.
4. Where can I swim? Conn masters has many organized clubs, workout groups, coached practices, and groups of members around the state. We are constantly updating our Places to Swim page with new information on programs and pools. Some members swim in organized groups and others swim indepentantly. Both can have benefits.
5. How can I join CONN Masters? How can I join USMS? When you join CONN Masters, you are also signing up to be a USMS Member. Please visit the Register page for updated information.
6. Do I have to join CONN Masters in order to swim? Some clubs/teams do require USMS membership. Most swim meets also require USMS membership. Even if your team does not require membership and you do not plan on competing, signing up for USMS is still encouraged. As a member, you receive the SWIMMER Magazine and receive email updates and new stories from USMS both of which are extremely educational. Master’s programs are also encouraged to allow USMS members to pop into practices if they are traveling to a new area. And really, the meets are fun.