Frequently Asked Questions

Where are do practices take place?

We swim at the View Ridge Swim & Tennis Club pool located at 5815 NE 77th Street, Seattle, WA 98115. Click here for the map.

Parking is FREE! Please remember to park “nose out” as per View Ridge regulations.

Several buses stop very close to the pool. Map your route with King County Metro Transit Trip Planner here.

You can also bike to the pool and park your bike outside of the pool on racks (bikes are not allowed in the pool area).

Do I need swimming experience to join?

Prospective members must be able to:

Swim freestyle comfortably. Swimmers are encouraged to also try backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Swim approximately 1500-2000 yards in an hour.

Swim repeats of at least 200 yards on an interval.

Example: swim 5 x 200 on 4:30 each.

Do I need to be a member of the View Ridge Swim & Tennis Club to join?

No. Our group rents the pool from the Club, so you only need to be registered with US Masters Swimming to swim with us.

I want to check out a workout! What do I do next?

First, sign up for United States Masters Swimming (USMS).

USMS is a nationwide swimming program for adults aged 18+. For more information, click here. All swimmers must be current USMS members to join or try out a workout. All Masters teams require current membership for insurance purposes. Here’s how to register:

Visit www.usms.org/join

If you’re already registered with another team or registered as unattached, no problem! Please bring your current USMS number to your first workout.

To register with our workout group (Husky Masters), please follow these instructions when you register:

Select PNA (Pacific Northwest Association of Masters Swimmers) as the USMS local masters swim club (also known as the LMSC).

Select PSM (Puget Sound Masters) as the Club.

Finally, select HMST (Husky Masters Swim Team) as the Workout Group.

Can I swim with Husky Masters if I belong to another USMS group? 

Absolutely, as long as you have an active USMS membership you can join our practices. We welcome those new to the area and swimmers that may just be visiting. 

How do I signup to attend a practice?

The practice calendar and signup can be found on the Husky Masters Event Calendar. You can signup and pay for your attendance  for event practice you want to attend.

What are my options if I find I can not attend a practice I’m signed up for? 

We understand life happens and are able to shift your practice sign up to another available practice. Please email us ahead of the practice you will miss. You may also request a refund of the amount paid less the payment processor fees. 

What if I live in Canada or outside the US?

If you will be visiting the US and have not previously been a USMS member but are a member of your country’s equivalent organization you can get a 30 day temporary USMS membership. Just fill out the forms below and bring them to your first practice. We will take care of the rest!

foreign swimmer form

I don’t think I’m ready to join or try it out yet. What can I do to prepare?

Many Seattle public pools offer private or group swim lessons for adults. We recommend taking some time to learn freestyle comfortably and to build up your endurance.

Do you offer private lessons or private coaching if I want to improve?

Unfortunately, due to space and time constraints, we do not. However, our coaches are always willing to provide helpful technical advice during workouts!

Do you compete?

Many of our swimmers compete in local, national, and international meets and open water races. Competition certainly isn’t required, but it’s definitely encouraged for interested swimmers!

What are the workouts like?

In our 8-lane pool, we have categorized each lane by speed and ability, with Lane 1 being the fastest lane. Do note that the below pacing was pre-pandemic and may be a bit optimistic.

Lane 1 typically does 3000-4000 yards per workout. 10 X 100s free on 1:10 to 1:15.

Lane 6 typically does 2000-2500 yards per workout. 10 x 100s free on 1:50 to 2:15.

Workouts vary by theme, such as freestyle, IM, stroke, mid-distance/distance, sprint, etc. Depending on the day of the week, there will be 12-25 people attending each workout.

Workouts are professionally coached by experienced swimmers (many of whom are current Husky Masters swimmers).

Can I come to practice late?

While coming late is sometimes unavoidable, we do discourage coming late as this is disruptive to the swimmers already in the pool. If you do come late, we ask that you please talk to the coach and coordinate with your lane prior to entering the pool in order to make sure you are on the correct set.

Do I have to attend every workout?

Some swimmers come just once a month, while others attend every workout. It’s up to you and your fitness goals!

Do you have social events?

At this time Social Events are on pause. When they are feasible, we will provide updates.

We are a very social group, often traveling together to meets, swimming in open water, and planning happy hour gatherings together. Everyone is welcome! Check out our Facebook page.