Marin Aquatic Masters (MAQ) has conducted an ALTS program for the past eight years. We've learned that after 8-10 classes, participants are safer in the water, but they're really not swimmers. We teach them the basics and they get excited about swimming, but with such limited skills and often lingering fears they aren't able to discover the benefits of Masters Swimming nor can they find places to swim that accommodate new learners.

Last year we offered 4 additional weeks of classes to give ALTS participants the opportunity to learn more.  We charged $5 per class to cover some of our expenses and our team covered the rest.  We found that after the additional month, most couldn't afford to continue to swim with our team, nor would they have been able to circle swim or keep up and we didn't have the resources to continue.  Three swimmers did stay with MAQ. All swam the one mile postal at the end of the year and one even entered the 50m free at our long course championship in July.  While he still couldn't dive or flip, and was somewhat fearful in the deep water, it was life changing for him and I realized what a huge difference we could make if we found a way to continue teaching these very new hesitant adults.  It takes a lot of time and a safe and welcoming environment for new swimmers to continue to learn.

A Team Within A Team
This year we made more changes and took a financial risk.  We had about 70 participants in ALTS in June and July.  Those who could navigate the pool safely without in water instructors were invited to our inaugural Beginning Masters program.  They had to join USMS when their 30-day free membership expired but we continue to cover all of their other costs to swim. We provided suits if needed, goggles, caps, equipment, and most importantly patience and love.  We had over 30 volunteers from our team during the 4-week ALTS program, but one coach and a few amazing volunteers for the Beginning Masters.

We rented additional pool space for the Beginning Masters program. It was basic Masters Swimming 101 to be sure. In addition to learning to swim better, we have covered pool etiquette, pool lingo, flags, lane lines, lines on the bottom of the pool, pace clocks, and learning as a team were all part of the program.  We only asked in return that they volunteer for 2 hours at our Long Course meet. By volunteering they were able to get to know some more of our team members, see a swim meet in action, and witness up close the benefits of swimming and the amazing community provided by Masters Swimming. It was inspiring, and about 30 have continued swimming at no cost consistently 2-3 times per week. Our group of 30 has become a true team within a team.  They encourage and teach each other. They know how to circle and to accommodate those in their lanes who can't go as fast or aren't as advanced.  They're all working toward being able to swim a mile in the deep pool.

Swimmers to Competitors
Swimming as a relay at an official meet served two purposes. First, a goal for the participants themselves, and second to raise awareness in our community about the life changing possibilities of the ALTS program.

Ranging in ages from 33-68, they worked and struggled as a team to succeed at something that absolutely terrified them. For the past month, 12 members braved the deep-water pool to practice relays at the end of each practice. They worked up to a 50- meter free (with a little rest at the turn) and encouraged each other as they swam far outside their comfort zone. Unfortunately, 4 of our relay participants were unable to attend the meet due to anxiety or illness but they are looking forward to the next meet!

Two ALTS relay groups from our team, and one from Davis Fitness showed up for the Pacific Swimming Short Course Meters Championship meet. Relatives came in support from as far away as San Diego, and two brought their tiny babies to cheer. One relay had a married couple, another two sisters ages 66 and 68. The Pacific Masters swimming community came together in support of their incredible bravery and cheered from the deck for an amazing display of commitment, grit and sheer will as the ALTS graduates successfully complete the 200 free relay.

It was an amazing testament to the power and purpose of the ALTS program. The swimmers' effort in taking on the challenge of learning a skill so foreign to them and which they never thought they could master was inspiring to all in attendance. Many ALTS participants come to us after frightening experiences as children, others have dreamed of swimming but have never had the opportunity to learn.  While most programs don't have the resources to allow people to swim for free, without such programs many adults are kept away from this life saving sport.

It is estimated that at least 35% of adults in the United States cannot swim. Of the 70 people MAQ taught this year, 95% were from extremely diverse non-white backgrounds.  It's impossible not to appreciate how tragic and inequitable it is that everyone is not afforded the opportunity to learn this life saving skill. In our community we've taken steps to change that.  Our community is safer when adults learn to swim, and our team benefits greatly from increasing our diversity with respect to both background and ability. We are dedicated to giving others in our community what we've taken for granted all of our lives because pools were available and/or parents could afford lessons.

While we give our time, expertise, and love to these new swimmers what we receive in return is the most valuable gift of all, the knowledge that we have changed lives and strengthened our community.