Frequently asked questions.
What does 1693 mean?
You may have noticed that our club’s abbreviation in meet heat sheets is 1693. This number denotes the year of founding of The College of William and Mary. Most teams use a four-letter abbreviation in heat sheets, so using the number helps us stand out!
Do I have to be a former collegiate swimmer to join?
Not at all! Although many of the founding members of Club Tribe swam for the College of William and Mary, and many other members are former collegiate swimmers, we welcome swimmers of all backgrounds! We have teammates who are triathletes and open water swimmers, teammates who swam in high school and who learned to swim as adults. What we all share is a passion for the sport, and a love of the water.
Who coaches the workouts?
Club Tribe is coached virtually by Rich Williams. We have practice groups all over the country (even a swimmer in Alaska!). Coach Rich provides three workouts each week for swimmers depending on their specialties - there are sprint workouts, mid-distance workouts, and even workouts for distance/400 IMers. Some folks train with a group, like the sprint group at Washington-Liberty in Arlington, and others train solo.
Because Coach Rich can’t be everywhere at once, there is no coach on deck at practices. If you are new to competitive swimming, teammates in the water can help explain the structure of the workout.
What are the obligations when joining Club Tribe?
Club Tribe has no official obligations, other than swimming fast and having fun. Some team members prefer to stick with practices. Others are triathletes or open water swimmers. And some prioritize Masters Nationals. It's really up to you!
Do I need to pay to drop in for a practice?
Nope! Club Tribe does not charge any fees for individual workouts. However, the pools that we use DO require access fees - these can be either on a swim-by-swim basis, a multi-pack of passes, or annual memberships. Please consult the Training page for links to some of the local pools for more information on their fees and policies.
Is there a place I can find other useful information about Masters Swimming?
Yes, there are many places to find information about Masters Swimming, the Virginia Local Masters Swimming Committee (LMSC), US Masters events, records and other information. Here are some helpful links: