Policies

Objectives of the Okanagan Masters Swim Club (OMSC) swim membership policy are to:

• attract and welcome new Masters swimmers to the club
• manage growth in membership, facilities and coaching
• make effective use of facilities and coaches policy
• ensure financial independence and stability of the club
• achieve fairness and recognize members’ specific circumstances

Swim members are welcome to join at any time during the season, subject to availability of swim slots; however, the registrar reserves the right to limit the number of swim memberships on a priority basis outlined below.

Membership:

OMSC membership provides the following:

1. Members swim at the H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre operated by YMCA-Southern Interior Region, and can attend as many coached training sessions per week as OMSC has swim sessions and capacity, as well as being able to swim at any of the H2O public swim sessions.
2. OMSC is a program of the YMCA at H2O and membership includes a general membership with the H2O.  i.e. membership includes access to all the aquatic, gym and general fitness facilities and programs that are available to regular YMCA-H2O members, in addition to regularly scheduled OMSC training sessions. Members can join the program at any time during the year and registration is completed at the Front Desk at the H2O.
3. Members pay an annual OMSC registration fee which includes Swim BC membership, and gains the benefits of those organizations including swim insurance. Membership fees are paid upon registration with OMSC. The annual registration fee is neither pro-rated nor refundable.  Annual renewal of memberships is on September 1^st  or other date set by the OMSC board.  Contact the OMSC Registrar for more information or see the registration page.
4. OMSC runs a year-around program, with fewer weekly sessions during the warmer months end May to end August.
5. OMSC reserves the right to session- and lane-balance to ensure capacity requirements are not exceeded.
6. Optimal lane capacity is defined as up to 5 swimmers for short course pool configuration (25m) and up to 9 swimmers for long course pool configuration (50m). OMSC coaches can run extra swimmers in the lane at their discretion and can ask swimmers to move over to another lane if over-crowding occurs.
   1. Session capacity occurs when lanes regularly exceed capacity. OMSC reserves the right to close a session to new/additional swimmers for a period of time to ensure there will not be over-crowding and to retain a positive swimmer experience.
   2. Priority for access to a closed session will be given to current OMSC members in good standing.  Waiting lists for closed sessions will be maintained by the Registrar.
7. Membership in the OMSC-YMCA program is month-by-month. Participation in the program can be put on hold by a member for a ‘leave of absence’. The H2O front desk should be contacted for current OMSC-YMCA policy on program and/or membership suspension.
8. OMSC-YMCA membership can be canceled without penalty at any time. The H2O front desk should be contacted for current information on cancellation.

Masters Guest Swim:

Visiting masters swimmers from other registered masters swim clubs in North America may request permission from the Registrar to drop-in on a complimentary basis.  The Registrar will consider any request on its merits and in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Adequate lane space must be available to accommodate members and guests;
• Accommodation of members takes preference over accommodation of guests;
• The guest swimmer must prove current membership of a Canadian provincial masters swimming association or sign our waiver before entering the pool;
• The guest swimmer must provide contact details to the OMSC Registrar via email, and having first received approval by the Registrar, must email the signed OMSC waiver to the Registrar prior to attending a coached OMSC session;
• The guest swimmer must meet the club’s standards of swimming etiquette and behaviour. The OMSC Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy applies to guest swimmers as well as members;
• The guest swimmer must check in with the H2O front desk and pay the daily drop-in fee before attending an OMSC coached session.

In principle and assuming space is available, OMSC will endeavour to accommodate visiting guest swimmers. The Registrar’s decision is final in respect of accommodating any guest swimmer.

Inquiries can be made for the attention of the OMSC Registrar.

Masters Trial Swim:

Swimmers interested in trying a Masters swim session prior to joining the club are very welcome.  We recommend that swimmers can swim four continuous lengths of the pool (100 metres) comfortably without stopping.  The Registrar will consider any request on its merits and in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Guest swimmers should contact the OMSC Registrar to express their interest in trying a Masters swim session. The Registrar will recommend a session and potentially a suitable lane, based on the swimmer’s disclosed ability;
• Accommodation of members takes preference over accommodation of guests;
• The guest swimmer must either be a current YMCA-H2O member, or check in with the H2O front desk and pay the daily drop-in fee before attending an OMSC coached session;
• The guest swimmer must be on deck 15 minutes prior to the start of the swim. A club member or coach will be alerted to be available to meet the guest swimmer there;
• The guest swimmer must sign the OMSC  waiver before entering the pool;
• There is a limit of three sessions for our Masters Trial Swim program and these must be completed within a two-week period.

OMSC Membership Policy – Revised and Board Approved – Oct 2022

OMSC Bylaws – OMSC is a registered non-profit society.  Bylaws were revised and approved by the members – Nov 2021.