Masters Swimming FAQ's

• Be prepared to arrive and leave in your suit. Locker-rooms will not be available for showers or changing after practice. Changing on deck is NOT permitted. • Bring your own gear and label with your name. • Wear a mask or face covering when entering the facility and leaving the pool deck. All swimmers must self screen before each practice

Arrive no earlier than ten minutes prior to the start of practice with your suit on under your clothes and wearing a mask.

All coaches and swimmers need to pass our self screening before practice

1. Is your temperature 100.4 degrees or higher today? Yes or No

2. Did you have or have you been exposed to anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19? Yes or No

3. Have you experienced any symptoms such as fever, muscle achiness, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste/smell, or other respiratory symptoms in the last 14 days or did you live with someone with those symptoms? Yes or No

4. Have you traveled in the last 14 days to an area that would require you to be in self-quarantined? Yes or No

If you answered YES to any question above, you are not permitted to enter the facility until released to do so by a healthcare professional.

Once you enter the building, with mask on, head over to the pool deck with all gear

Place your belongings on deck at least 6 feet apart from other swimmers

All coaches on deck will wear a mask for the duration of the practice

All coaches and swimmers must maintain at least 6 feet distance at all times

Coaches will help swimmers navigate as you arrive where to enter the lanes and your starting position  

Lanes will be assigned according to your average 100 yard pace

No socializing on deck before or after practice is allowed at this time 

Remain as socially distanced as possible before, during and after practice

Maintain distance from other swimmers when resting between sets on the wall to the best of your ability

One person at a time may use the restrooms

Make sure you gather all belongings, we will not have a lost and found at this time due to Covid-19

With your mask on you may exit at the designated exit door. Your coach will assist you depending on where your practice is held.

If you test positive for COVID-19 or live with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 and have been attending practices, please report to JMSS  as soon as possible by contacting us at masters@jmswim.com

 Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

• Getting started is as easy as finding a swimsuit, goggles and cap if you want it and registering for your practice time. For your first practice we recommend showing up early to meet your coach and go over any goals you may have.

 If you can swim one length of the pool in the freestyle stroke, you are ready to join our group. There are a lot of swimmers who have never swam on a team and are just starting out. Your coach will help you navigate practice and place you in the lane that you will be swimming in.

You can start anytime by signing up for a free one-week trial. Jim Montgomery Masters Swim (JMMS) offers practices six days a week.

A swimsuit made for lap swimming that fits you comfortably, your own fitted goggles and a swim cap but only if you would like to wear one. Bring a bag with a towel for after practices, we do not provide towels for swimmers. Eventually, you may want to own your own pull buoy, fins, kick board and swim paddles. All these helpful tools can be ordered through D&J Sports, one of our JMSS partners.

Start out with around three practices a week so your body has time to rest in between practices. You can always add on more practices!

Remember, this group is about growing as a swimmer. You will build up endurance and swim farther distances the more you practice. Do not feel like you have to continuously swim the whole practice. Listen to your body, always ask your coach if you want to consult about adding in more practices. Make sure you take as much rest as you need when you get tired or if your heart rate gets too high. Everyone is different, do not compare yourself to any other swimmers in the program. You are at practice for YOU.

Of course! Our amazing coaches have ample experience on deck and are ready to help you become an efficient swimmer. They are there to help you with the proper stroke mechanics and technique. The coaches are also there to lead each practice and make sure everyone is having the best experience. If you have a question regarding technique or a swim set please do not hesitate to ask the coach.

• All practices last one hour and are divided into several lanes based on skill level. Our practices offer multiple training techniques and aim to improve stroke mechanics. Depending on your skill set and goals, each practice distances will range from 500 to 3500 yards per swimmer.

Our program is for adult swim fitness and is not a true “swim team”. However, we encourage you to try and learn all four competitive strokes and any drills that may appear in a practice. It is our experience that learning and practicing the “B strokes” will improve your freestyle and conditioning. We know that drills and strokes can take time and lots of practice so if you need to modify during a workout just let the coach know.

There are no competitive requirements to be a member of JMMS. Many members who join have the opportunity to further their swimming goals by participating in United States Masters Swimming (USMS). This is an organization which sets up swim meets and events for adults 18 years and older. It can be a great way to measure your progress in the program. All of our members will have the opportunity to compete in local, regional, national and international swim events when they resume.

JMMS members like to get together and hang out both in and out of the pool. One of the best things about being a member of JMMS is the friends you will make along the way.

The answer varies depending on the individual and their swim background. If you have done little or no lap swimming before, if you feel afraid of water at all, if you have trouble with your breathing with your strokes, or if you are just needing a refresher without being in a group, we may suggest you start with private, one-on-one lessons. You can easily arrange a private lesson with one of our coaches. If you are uncertain, you can email us at masters@jmswim.com and we will be glad to discuss the best program for you. As a standard, if you have a hard time putting your face in the water and breathing, we suggest starting with the beginner classes at Jim Montgomery Swim. 

If you are comfortable swimming laps but have never participated in an organized practice, you are encouraged to try out a free week of JMMS practices.

Due to COVID-19 we are trying to limit the crossover of members as much as possible for the time being. At this time you will swim at the times you signed up for when joining JMMS.