Home / Adult Programs / Masters
What is Masters swimming?
The word "Masters" has nothing to do with your skill level or competency, just your age. Unfortunately, the name can be intimidating to some. The only requirements to be a Masters swimmer are that you must be 18-years-old and registered with US Masters Swimming. Nationally, there are over 65,000 registered US Masters swimmers!
Why join?
Everyone in the pool has a story. Everyone's journey is unique. Becoming a Masters swimmer provides a lifelong opportunity to exercise, train, compete, learn, grow, and socialize with others who love the water. No matter what your skill level, there is a place for you in the SwimMAC program. If you're concerned about your swimming abilities and that concern is keeping you from joining our amazing community of swimmers, please contact us for an individualized evaluation of your skill level and a warm welcome. See how it can change your life!
A place for everyone
Competition
Masters swimming provides many local, national, and international racing opportunities for those who are interested. While competition is not mandatory, we find that our swimmers enjoy the additional motivational and social aspects of competing and training to race. The SwimMAC Masters team includes former collegiate, high school, and club swimmers of all ages that still participate in pool and open water races throughout the year. We even have competitive swimmers who never raced before joining Masters! At swim meets athletes are divided into roughly five-year age groups, ranging from 18-24 all the way up to 100+. We attend short course yards, short course meters, and long course meters meets throughout the year as a team.
Triathlon
Many of our SwimMAC Masters compete at the national and world levels in sprint and distance triathlons. We have several Ironman competitors on our team and find that their dedication and effort brings great value to the entire Masters team. Our triathletes also train with triathlon groups and find that the practices and coaching received at SwimMAC Masters greatly benefit their overall results. Find out from Jarrod Shoemaker why swimming Masters is a “game-changer.”
Fitness
In our program swimmers will receive direction and encouragement from both the coaches and their teammates at each practice, creating a positive atmosphere that makes hard work fun. Every SwimMAC Masters workout offers different rest interval options for each set. Practices are designed to accommodate each individual regardless of speed and fitness level, and we find that many adults underestimate their swimming ability. Proper breathing technique is often the biggest obstacle for adults who want to enjoy swimming as a form of fitness, but with patience and repetition our members soon become comfortable and realize the many benefits of swimming for exercise.
Beginners
In order to participate in our Masters program we recommend that swimmers are able to swim at least 2 lengths (50 yards) of freestyle without stopping and preferably 1 length (25 yards) of another stroke (backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly). For those who need to improve their basic skills as a swimmer or become more comfortable in the water, the SwimMAC Swim School offers an Adult-Learn-to-Swim (ALTS) program.
For more information about adult lessons, please contact us:
HFFA SITE: Chandra Barck 704-766-1520 or cbarck@swimmaccarolina.org
LATIN SITE: Nicolle Hollmon 980-339-8912 or nhollmon@swimmaccarolina.org
All swimmers participating in workouts MUST be registered USMS members.
As a SwimMAC Master you have access to ALL workouts at ANY of our locations.
Training Schedule
NORTH/HFFA SITE
Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics (HFFA)
11725 Verhoeff Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078
FALL/WINTER SCHEDULE
- Monday – 5:15-6:30 AM (LCM)
- Tuesday – 5:15-6:30 AM (SCY) & 12:00-1:00 PM (SCY)
- Thursday – 5:15-6:30 AM (SCY) & 12:00-1:00 PM (SCY)
- Friday – 5:15-6:30 AM (LCM)
- Sunday – 10:00-11:15 AM (LCM)
*SCY – Short Course Yards; LCM – Long Course Meters
Exceptions to HFFA Schedule:
- NOTE: Practice schedule will resume on Monday, September 30
- Sunday, October 20 - NO PRACTICE
SOUTH/LATIN SITE
SwimMAC Training Facility at Charlotte Latin School
9850 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
FALL/WINTER SCHEDULE
- Monday - 12:15-1:30 PM
- Tuesday - 5:15-6:30 AM & 8:30-9:45 AM
- Wednesday - 12:15-1:30 PM
- Thursday - 5:15-6:30 AM & 8:30-9:45 AM
- Friday - 8:30-9:45 AM & 12:15-1:30 PM
- Saturday - 5:30-6:45 AM
- Sunday - 7:15-8:30 AM
Exceptions to Latin Schedule:
- Sunday, September 29 - 6:00-7:15am (Swim Meet)
If you would like to join or still have questions, please email Chandler and include the primary location where you would like to swim: cthomas@swimmaccarolina.org.
Annual Registration
STEP 1:
Each SwimMAC Masters member will need to register annually with US Masters Swimming. The annual USMS registration fee is $70. Become a USMS member or renew your membership here.
LOCAL CLUB = North Carolina Masters Swimming (NCMS)
WORKOUT GROUP = SwimMAC
STEP 2:
You will also need to register through our TeamUnify registration website. The annual SwimMAC Masters registration fee is $40, which covers administrative costs and a team t-shirt and cap.
Monthly Membership Options
General Public
Membership includes access to all coached practices at either location and unlimited lap swim access at our Charlotte Latin facility.
Dues will automatically process on the 1st of every month and membership can be paused or canceled at any time.
INDIVIDUAL
Annual SwimMAC registration fee: $40
Monthly dues: $70
INDIVIDUAL + SIGNIFICANT OTHER
Annual SwimMAC registration fee: $80
Monthly dues: $105 (50% discount for 2nd member of household)
SwimMAC/Charlotte Latin Member
Same benefits as a general public membership, but at a discounted rate for the following members:
- SwimMAC competitive team alumni
- Parent of current SwimMAC competitive team swimmer
- Parent of current Charlotte Latin School student
INDIVIDUAL
Annual SwimMAC registration fee: $40
Monthly dues: $60
INDIVIDUAL + SIGNIFICANT OTHER
Annual SwimMAC registration fee: $80
Monthly dues: $90 (50% discount for 2nd member of household)
Visitors
Drop-In Swims
SwimMAC Masters is happy to welcome other Masters swimmers from around the world! The drop-in fee is $10 per practice. Please bring cash to your drop-in swim OR Venmo Lead Coach Chandler Thomas (@chandler-thomas-11). All swimmers must be USMS registered or sign a USMS 30-day waiver in order to swim with us.
Visiting Alumni/College Swimmers
Recent SwimMAC alumni/current college swimmers and their teammates are welcome to attend practices at no cost during fall, winter, and spring breaks. If you would like to train with the SwimMAC Masters team for the entire summer, dues are $150 and you will need to register with the team using the button above. You must be registered with either USA Swimming or US Masters Swimming in order to participate in the workouts.
Equipment
Besides a swim suit, goggles, and a swim cap, there are several pieces of training equipment that we may use during practices. You won't need all of this equipment at every workout, but it is a good idea to have on hand a kickboard, pull buoy, paddles, fins, and a snorkel. We do have some gear available in the lost and found bins for you to use during your first visits.
If you need to purchase any equipment, check out the Kiefer Aquatics Store at either of our two locations or online.