After surviving the Blizzards of 2010, it is time to get back in the pool. We have completed the 2010 Germantown Masters Swim Team Survey, reviewed the results and are prepared to make some positive changes to improve team member satisfaction. Before we get to the changes, I want to first thank everyone for their participation and feedback. The survey results were extremely positive and we do not require a major re-haul of the program, instead only minor adjustments. Participation in the survey exceeded our expectations, with over 50% of the active members completing the survey, capturing a wide spectrum of the different types of members. Members were extremely satisfied with the coaches, workout schedule variety, workout stroke and set variety, special practices, ‘Swim with CARE’ initiative, and the sharing of team, event and meet news. Most important, over 95% of respondents noted that the team meets member’s swimming needs.

Based on the survey, we will make the following changes:

• Warm-up time – Warm-up time will be targeted to be15 minutes long. Remember, warm-up is to get your body warmed up and prepared to swim the more rigorous and demanding main set.
• Warm-up set variety – Coaches will change the (standard) warm-up set based on the planned work-out. New warm-up sets will include, but not limited to, stroke work and drills, timed sets, and stroke variety.
• Stroke technique advice – Coaches will provide more stroke technique advice when they recognize an issue for swimmers of all levels. Currently, we are also exploring options to offer stroke clinics or focused stroke sessions on the weekends or at the weeknight workouts. Please watch for future announcements regarding stroke clinics or special arrangements with coaches for stroke instruction.
• Set distance variety – Coaches will include more variety in set distances.
• Set times – Coaches will provide more direction in set times for each lane and make at least one set, in terms of times, more demanding and challenging each practice called a "Challenge Set". The "Challenge Set" could also be based on stroke or distance. As always, lanes can agree to make changes to any suggestions from the coaches.
• Cool-down time – Cool-down will be 5 minutes long. Coaches will let swimmers know 5 minutes before practices are over to start the cool-down set. Remember, the cool-down set allows your heart rate to drop, allows your muscles to relax, and starts the recovery process so that your body will be ready for the next work-out.
• Website – The website will include more information (i.e. – descriptions of the different parts of a work-out) and more links to fitness related websites, information, and articles. We hope the website can be a tool that members want to visit on a weekly basis.

Again we thank you for your participation in the survey and hope that the survey and subsequent changes will make the team better and help members continue to meet their fitness goals.

Mark Walters - Swimmer and President

Brian Sepanik - Swimmer, VP and Assistant Coach

Dyann Dancy - Head Coach and Swimmer