Bascially this supports the people you all swim (and/or hangout) with - so join up!  Annual Dues are $20 for individual and $30 for a household. Fill out the membership form (you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader) from the link above.

2008 OMS/USMS Application Form - You need to complete this form in order to compete in sanctioned events (meets, open water swims, or postal events)! There is also a one-event membership offered for most events for $15.00.

The second fitness oriented event is the Check-Off Challenge. The objective of this event is to challenge yourself by making a check list and swimming each of 18 swimming events found in pool competition. The participating swimmer will get a T-shirt in advance, which will list the 18 swimming events on the back. These events will include: 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 400 or 500 free, 800 or 1000 free, 1500 or 1650 free, half-mile open water, one-mile open water, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back, 50 breast, 100 breast, 200 breast, 50 fly, 100 fly, 200 fly, 100 IM, 200 IM, 400 IM. As you swim the events, simply check them off on the back of the T-shirt using an indelible marker. You can swim them during practice, during a swim meet, during an organized open water event, or during an organized open water training session -- any time, any place, at your own pace! The Federal Way Masters of Federal Way, Washington, are hosting this year's events.

Finally, there is the Go the Distance fitness event. The objective of this event is for participants to track the distance they swim during the year 2007.   When participants achieve specific distance milestones of 50 miles, 100 miles, 250 miles, 500 miles, 750 miles and 1000 miles – they will be recognized on the USMS website and awards will be available for purchase (for a minimal fee).