Table of Contents
- What is RAM?
- RAM Governance
- Social Activities
- General Membership Requirements
- Specific Membership Requirements
- Practice Information
- Joining RAM
- Swim cost
- What to do when you show up for pracice
- New Prospective swimmer
- Regular member in good standing
- Visiting USMS registered swimmers
- Who contact for more information
What is RAM?
Raleigh Area Masters (RAM) is one of the largest Masters swim training groups in the state and is part of the North Carolina Masters Swim Club (NCMS), the parent club of all other North Carolina Masters swimming groups.
RAM is based in the North Carolina Capital City of Raleigh. Workouts are available seven days a week with three weekday morning practices, four weekday evening practices and two weekend morning practices; One on Saturday morning and one on Sunday morning.
The workout group contains swimmers and triathletes ranging in abilities from beginner to elite. Some hold National and World records in their age group. All come and enjoy practice with outstanding coaching. The focus of the practices is to motivate, teach techniques, build endurance and speed and do this while encouraging new and returning athletes. While competition is encouraged, we welcome athletes who are only interested in life-long fitness.
All coaches are experienced, work to improve technique, teach new strokes, and provide fun, yet challenging training. To assist in continuity of training, the coaching staff develops an annual training plan to aid in a coherent training program.
RAM Governance
RAM is organized and governed by an elected Board of Directors. The board consists of 10 RAM members who meet monthly. All members are welcomed to attend the meetings which are announced in a weekly email newsletter sent to all members. If you wish to contact the board members, you may see them on deck at practice or you may email them at RAM-Board
Social Activities
Swimmers like to socialize. During the year the team holds at least two general membership gatherings to address team business and have fun. One is held in the winter and one in the summer. There are also efforts to encourage members to meet and enjoy lunch at least once per month. The location varies from place to place. A favorite activity is to gather after morning weekend practices for breakfast. This is a great way to relax after working up an appetite.
General Membership Requirements
So what do you need to do to swim with RAM? You need to be at least 18 years of age or older, you need a desire to swim and to learn to improve your swimming, and you need to know the fundamentals of swimming. Unfortunately we do not work with non-swimmers but do encourage them to take lessons with the local swimming pools and then consider joining RAM. In general, we recommend swimmers be capable of swimming the length of the pool at least twice before exploring our program. Last but not least, you must join US Masters Swimming and RAM after two trial swims.
Specific Membership Requirements
Hopefully this section will help you understand a little better what was mentioned above.
- You do not need to be an accomplished or fit swimmer to join. The coaches pride themselves in helping you achieve that goal.
- If you are a returning swimmer, you will almost certainly want to swim all training sets but you may feel a need to sit some out. That is OK, and the coaches actually encourage this when they observe new swimmers tiring.
- You do not need perfect technique to swim and you do not need to know all strokes. The coaches view stroke improvement and training people in strokes as an important part of their effort.
- We welcome triathletes even though many want to swim only Freestyle. We do encourage multiple strokes since it provides more complete body fitness; but if your preference is freestyle only, the coach can find a way to include it in the practices.
- How fast you swim is a consideration for choosing the lane in which you will swim. There is ample water space to address all speeds and ability. The coach will select the lane most appropriate for you. You will begin training there and move as you gain experience, technique and fitness.
- Prospective new swimmers get two free trial swims to allow them to decide if this sport is for them. After the two swims, they must join RAM and USMS to continue swimming with RAM.
- If you can't finish a workout, don't worry. All we ask is that you let the coach know you are leaving and why. This lets us know how to improve our program while it allows you complete freedom on building your endurance swim time.
Practice Information
There are 9 practices each week. Weekday morning practices begin at 5:30am (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and weekday evening practices begin at 6:45pm (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Both morning and evening practices last 1 hour and 15 minutes. There is one exception to this schedule. From June to August, evening practices begin at 8:00pm. The practice is still 1 hour and 15 minutes long but the later start allows the team access to 50-meter pool for Long Course training. Weekend practices last 1 hour 30 minutes. Saturday morning practices typically start at 7:30am and Sunday morning practices begin at 8:00am.
Please note that practice schedules can change due to unforeseen events. RAM tries through the web page and email notices to provide accurate information of current practice schedules. In addition, RAM tries to post the most current practice schedule on it's web site at News link on the RAM website.
Joining RAM
If after your free swims and understanding how much it will cost, you decide you want to join and become a member, here is what do you need to know.
First, you must register with US Masters Swimming and RAM. This can be done via the web (recommended) or using paper applications (slow). To register electronically, go to Click here to access the web site. When filling out the form, be sure you select NCMS as your club and RAM as the workout group. It is very important for you to register with both USMS and RAM.
If you wish, you can download a paper form, fill it out, and mail it in to register. This takes a while to be processed and so your USMS membership and your RAM membership will not be immediately effective, as they would be if you applied electronically. Still, if you wish to do your registration this way, you can download a paper form.
Swim cost
- US Masters Swimming (USMS) membership fee per year is $39.00. The membership year runs from January 1 through December 31, regardless of when you register with USMS. A discounted fee of $29 is available for the months of September and October, with USMS membership expiring on December 31st. Swimmers can join or current members can renew USMS membership on or after November 1st with their membership being valid for the remainder of 2011 and all of 2012, the expected cost for next year is $41.
- RAM monthly dues are $45.00, automatically charged to your credit card on file on the 5th of each month. This allows you to swim as many practices as you would like during the month.
- RAM monthly dues for full-time students is $23.00, also paid on the 5th of each month.
- RAM monthly dues for swimmers 70 and over is $23.00, also due on the 5th of each month.
- RAM Drop-in Fee: If you do not wish to be an active member of RAM but would like to drop in to swim when possible, the drop-in fee is $10 per visit, not to exceed $45 per month (monthly dues amount). Drop-in fees are assessed monthly once the sign-in sheets are reviewed. Drop-in swimmers are not added to the regular swim roster and must sign in at the bottom of the sign-in sheets before each swim. A valid credit card must be on file with your registration to choose this option.
- During your first month of swimming, dues will be assessed on a monthly ($45) or per-swim basis ($10 ea), whichever is lower, at the end of the month. Therefore, if you swim 4 times in your first month, you will be assessed a $20 fee (first two swims are free; second two are $10 each). If you swim 8 times in your first month, you will pay $45.
- If you have any further questions about RAM dues, please contact our Treasurer at RAM Treasurer.
What to do when you show up for pracice
This section addresses the actions of new prospective swimmers, regular members and visiting Masters swimmers from out of town teams.
New Prospective swimmer
Prospective swimmers who want to swim the two free swims should do the following.
- Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before practice is scheduled to start.
- When you arrive at the pool reception desk, ask for the RAM sign-in book and sign in at the end of the membership listing and mark with an "x" on each date you swim.
- The sign-in book has prospective swimmer forms. Please take one and fill in the requested information and then give the form to the coach on deck.
- Be sure to introduce yourself to the coach and describe your swimming plans and your fitness level and training background. The time you spend with the coach before practice will help when the coach makes the first assessment toward placing you into an appropriate lane for the practice. Please note that after you are in the water the coach may make appropriate changes to which lane into which you should swim.
- Before you enter the pool, please let the coach know of any medical condition you may have that may affect you while in practice.
- Be patient when you arrive on deck for the first time. The coach has a significant number of things that must be done prior to practice getting underway. This may cause a delay in your meeting and discussions.
Regular member in good standing
Members in good standing are those with all fees paid and who are registered with USMS and RAM. Note, if you are not considered to be in good standing, you will not be allowed to participate in practice unless you pay the drop in fee. If you meet the condition of being in good standing, please do the following.
- When you arrive at the pool, check the sign-in book for your name and place an "x" in the appropriate column for the date.
- If your name is not in the sign-in list, clearly print your name at the end of the list and place an "x" at the appropriate column for the date.
- If you have a change in medical condition, please advise the coach, prior to practice, the nature of the medical condition and potential issues.
- If you have a need to talk to the coach before practice please be patient when you arrive on deck. The coach has a significant number of things that must be done prior to practice getting underway. This may cause a delay in your meeting and discussions.
Please note that the sign in sheets are used to track swimmer participation and help the team determine the number of lanes needed for practices.
Visiting USMS registered swimmers
- If you are a visiting USMS registered swimmer from out of town that swims for other US Masters Swim teams, you must do the following.
- You are required to provide proof of USMS registration, so please bring a copy of your current registration card.
- You are permitted three free swims with RAM each year. After these three free swims you must pay the standard drop in fee of $10 pwer swim, not to exceed $45 per month.
- Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before practice is scheduled to start.
- When you arrive at the pool reception desk, ask for the RAM sign-in book and sign in at the end of the membership listing and mark with an "x" on each date you swim.
- Before you enter the pool, please let the coach know of any medical condition you may have that may affect you while in practice.
- When you talk to the coach, please be patient. The coach has a significant number of things that must be done prior to practice getting underway. This may cause a delay in your meeting and discussions.
Contact
For further information, please contact Harry DeLong