U.S. Masters Swimming Club of the Year Award

Recipient:	Indy Aquatic Masters
Year:	2014
LMSC:	Indiana

Indy Aquatic Masters (IAM) was an adult aquatic program dedicated to helping swimmers of all ages and abilities incorporate healthier lifestyles through swimming. Their inspiring atmosphere combined camaraderie, fun, and motivation, which encouraged members to keep coming back in pursuit of their personal goals.

IAM’s success as a team with over 400 swimmers was due to many reasons. IAM partnered with IUPUI, Butler University, 5 area high school swim teams, local triathlon groups, and their local age group swim team. A number of IAM members participated in the Alcatraz Swim, Swim the Suck, Big Shoulders, Maui Channel Swim, Straits of Gibraltar, St. Croix Swim, Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, Indy Open Water Challenge, the USAT Ironman, and the USAT World Championships. Members were active USMS and LMSC volunteers and USMS certified coaches were on deck at all of the 7 pools and 45-50 weekly workouts. Coaches were encouraged to continue their USMS and ASCA training and certification. Members published swimming material. Mel Goldstein wrote Swimming Past 50 and contributed to USMS Coaches' Curriculum, andKaren Gernert published "Impressions of an Open Water Novice" and   "Masters 101: Taking that First Step".

The club encouraged participation in the ePostals National Championships and an Open Water Challenge. Free swim lessons to adults and Adult Learn-to-Swim programs were held and press releases were done on local TV and in newspapers. IAM supported their community and raised funds for local organizations such as Leukemia, Autism, Lymphoma Society, and Joy’s House. Most importantly, IAM felt like a family and provided many opportunities to get together, including an annual party, an annual Awards banquet, and a Florida “Swim-cation”.