FAQs
How do I join Santa Barbara Masters Swimming?
You can join at any time. To join the program, complete the online registration form by clicking on JOIN.
All Santa Barbara Masters Swimmers must hold a current U.S. Masters Swimming membership. To register go to USMS registration or you'll be prompted during the online registration process. If you are new to Santa Barbara Masters Swimming and have any questions please feel free to email our Head Coach Mark Stori at coach@sbmasters.org.
How much does it cost?
Please review the Fee Structure below. You must pay with a credit card. Santa Barbara Masters Swimming does not accept cash or checks. All Santa Barbara Masters Swimmers must join U.S. Masters Swimming. The annual USMS fee is currently $70 and is good through December 31, 2024.
Fee Structure
| FEE | 2024 |
| Membership-One time new member activation fee | $25 |
| 1 Swim Pass | $15 |
| 10 Swim Pass | $150 |
| 1 Month | $90 |
| 3 Month | $240 |
| 12 Month | $840 |
What are the practice times?
Please check the calendar for current swim practice times. Swim practice is at Los Baños del Mar Pool located at 401 Shoreline Drive at the Santa Barbara harbor.
Do I just show up?
Yes, once you have paid for your SBMS Membership and have purchased swim passes or selected monthly options.
Do you have openings this month for swimmers to start in the program?
Yes.
I’m a beginner, can I join? How intense is the coached workout?
Absolutely! As long as you can swim the length of the 50m pool, you can join. Please understand this is not a learn to swim program, but a swimming workout. However, the workouts are modified for your ability. Individuals can push themselves as hard as they choose each workout. If you need to rest more frequently than the workout plan, you can.
If you are interested in Adult Learn To Swim (ALTS) program, please contact Head Coach, Mark Stori at coach@sbmasters.org.
What can I expect at the coached workout?
Workouts are designed for 1 hour. Yardage will vary based on the capabilities of each swimmer. The program is run like a competitive swim team workout. Everyone starts together with a warm up; swims together to do drills, kicking and/or pulling; swims together to do the main interval set(s); and then everyone finishes with a warm down. Since a Masters program can have such a wide variety of swimmer abilities, each lane's workout is modified for what they can do.
Will I get help and instruction with my strokes?
Absolutely! The coaches help each swimmer with their stroke and technique, which is so important. Swimming drills are included in and explained during the workout to help swimmers focus on proper swimming techniques. If you want the coach to take a look at your stroke and give you feedback, just ask!
Can I compete in swimming competitions?
If you are interested in competing, there are U.S. Masters swim meets in California and around the country for you to compete in. Talk to the coach about competing. Learn more at USMS. Some swimmers will be training to compete in USMS swim meets, open water races, triathlons, and others just for fitness and won’t ever swim in a competition. It’s your choice!
What is U.S. Masters Swimming?
U.S. Masters Swimming, founded in 1971, is a membership-operated national governing body that promotes adult health, fitness, and wellness through aquatics. It does so by partnering with more than 1,000 adult swim clubs across the country that offer swim fitness programs, promoting information via a member magazine and www.usms.org, and sanctioning and promoting pool, open water, and virtual competitions. More than 50,000 adults are registered members of U.S. Masters Swimming.
You can register online at USMS or register during the online process when you join Santa Barbara Masters Swimming. Santa Barbara Masters Swimming is an Official USMS Gold Club. Our LMSC is Southern Pacific, and our CLUB is Santa Barbara Masters – SBM.