I just moved to San Francisco (which, by the way, is amazing). I’m looking for a good masters swim program that’s within biking distance from Alamo Square Park or north Mission. USF has a masters program at their Koret gym – is that open to the public? What about UCSF at their Bakar gym?
Ideally, I’d like a program that’s friendly to not-so-amazing swimmers like me. I can swim 1:40 100s on the 1:45 and 1:30 is my fastest 100. Plus, I can’t flip turn, so I’m definitely no Michael Phelps. But I do want to improve, of course.
I dont know anything about masters swimming.
But you might want to also check out the open water swims in Aquatic park which happen a couple of times a week.
http://www.waterworldswim.com/workouts/default.asp
That looks like a good weekend swim but otherwise, I’d rather find a place close to my house or my work so I can swim and get to work on time or just go straight to swim after work.
http://www.pacificmasters.org/index.shtml lists some of the masters programs in NorCal.
I’ve heard good things about USF, but I think they get some fast swimmers and you have to apply.
USF Masters Swim Club
A coached workout emphasizing endurance training, stroke and technique improvement and preparation for competition. Participants must apply with the coach and register with U.S. Masters Swimming. Flyers are also available at the Front Desk.
Fees
Masters Try-out & Drop-in fee: $15.00
USF Students: $15.00/mo. or $140/yr
Seniors (55+): $45.00/mo. or $460/yr
Non-Members: $70.00/mo. or $650/yr Please call 422-2597 for more information. Rental locker service available to yearly master members only. There are no restrictions on entering Koret.
UCSF Mission Bay had a masters’ program, but I don’t see it listed. You might call them and ask.
http://campuslifeservices.ucsf.edu/fitnessrecreation/
Embarcardero YMCA has a masters workout 3x/week at 6:00 or 6:30 AM and some evenings.
A lot of people used to drive to Burlingame (just past the airport) every morning to swim as they have a beautiful pool at B’game High School, but the coach they all liked left (and I thought he went to UCSF). But that’s another option. And a good place to do lap swimming on the weekend, especially Sunday’s when they flip the lane lines to 50m. http://www.burlingameaquatics.com/site04/mast_swim/mastswm.htm
clm
http://www.pacificmasters.org/fog/
$50.00 per month unlimited, 6.00 drop in. Ability ranges from fast to manatee, and never overly crowded. Probably 4 miles door to door by bike, slightly downhill most of the way out there. Very low key.