Joining The Sharks Team
Come try a practice!
If you'd like to see for yourself what our team is like, come swim with us. We allow a one-time trial practice for $5.00 (cash or check made out to “Columbus Sharks Masters Swim Team”). If you decide to join the team, that $5.00 will be applied towards your membership fee.
The Quarter System
We divide the year into four Quarters, each lasting three months (usually thirteen weeks). Quarters begin on the first day of March, June, September, and December. Membership renewals are due promptly on the first day of each quarter. New members may join at any time.
Please make checks payable to Columbus Sharks Masters Swim Team, and give your payment to Bo or Kris at practice.
Membership Options
Unlimited Swims Membership: Our full membership costs $140.00 per quarter and gives you access to all practices – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. This fee will be prorated for new members that join in the middle of a quarter.
Saturday Membership: for $60.00 per quarter, swim every Saturday practice.
12 Swims Pass: This membership option costs $75.00 and allows you to swim any twelve practices of your choice. This option is perfect for members that swim only occasionally, are out of town frequently, or otherwise need to have more flexibility in their schedules. Please note that this pass expires six months after it is purchased, and whatever swims you don't use within this period, you lose. You may buy the 12 Swims pass anytime during the quarter.
New Member Administration Fee
If you are joining the Sharks for the first time, there is a one-time new member administration fee of $25.00 in addition to your membership.
USMS Registration
For insurance reasons, all swimmers who participate in Sharks practices are required to be registered with United States Masters Swimming (USMS) and provide a photocopy of their current USMS card to the Sharks. USMS membership is annual (from January to December) and costs $30.00 per year; the registration form can be downloaded at: http://www.ohiolmsc.org/ or completed online at https://www.clubassistant.com/club/usms.cfm.
- If you are new to the Sharks and Masters Swimming, you’ll need to download the USMS registration form, fill it out (check the box next to “CSMT” to choose the Sharks as your team affiliation), and mail it in with your check for $25.00, OR complete the form online. Then you will have a 30-day grace period in which you can swim with us while you are waiting for your registration to be processed. By the end of that period you must provide the Sharks with a photocopy of your new USMS membership card. If you have not provided your card, you will not be allowed in the pool.
- If you are a current Sharks swimmer, you are responsible for renewing your USMS membership annually -- it is recommended that you send your registration form and fee in late November of each year in order to have your new membership card by January 1.
- If you are already registered with USMS but affiliated with another team, you can still join the Sharks at one of the membership options above, or you may swim as a guest.
Guest Swimmers
If you are a registered USMS swimmer who is affiliated with another team, you are welcome to join our practices as a guest. Bring with you a photocopy of your current USMS card and a guest fee of $5 per practice.
If you are NOT a registered USMS swimmer, you may make one trial swim with us before deciding whether to join our team. The cost of a trial swim is $5.00, which will be applied towards the cost of your membership if you decide to join the Sharks.
