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Around the NE LMSC - October
2017
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Want updates in a more timely manner?
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Attend the NE-LMSC Annual Meeting this Sunday, 10/15
The New England LMSC Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, October 15 from 2-5pm at Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston Waltham, 550 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451. The
agenda will be posted
here
when available.
All New England LMSC members are encouraged to attend the meeting and vote.
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Important Rule Changes in Effect 9/21
The following rule changes were automatically adopted by USMS after being approved by FINA in July. They went into effect on September 21, 2017.
1. Swimmers are still prohibited from swimming in a position on (or towards) the back for most of the freestyle leg of an individual or medley relay event. But, swimmers will now be permitted to leave the wall on the back, as long as you return to a position on (or towards) the breast
before any stroke or kick.
2. FINA will no longer accept world record applications unless timed with an automatic primary system (touchpads). In the event of a touchpad malfunction, FINA will accept record applications from a one, two, or three button semiautomatic backup system.
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New England Masters Needs a One Hour Swim Coordinator
New England Masters (NEM) is looking for a volunteer to coordinate the 2018 USMS 1-Hour ePostal swim. The coordinator would be responsible for rousing participation in the event (Jan-Feb) and assembling and submitting relays (March) based on individual swims. Contact Alana Aubin for more information on the position and Doug Bosley to volunteer.
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Priscilla Davis Wins Kiefer Award from USA Swimming
New England LMSC warmly congratulates
Priscilla Davis on her receipt of USA Swimming's Adolph Kiefer Safety Commendation Award at this year's United States Aquatic Sports Convention.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Priscilla for her many years of service and support to Masters Swimming as a meet referee and official.
Congratulations Priscilla! We are lucky to have you and all of our dedicated officials!
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BOSTON, MA --
Ed Gendreau
of Great Bay Masters broke two men's 55-59 New England LCM records at the Bay State Games on July 8-9. Gendreau sped to records in the 200m breaststroke (2:53.32) and 400m
IM (5:46.93).
NEWPORT, VT -- Charlotte Brynn of Stowe Masters completed In Search of Memphre, a 25.2 miles swim across Lake Memphremagog, on July 20. She made the international swim from Magog, Quebec to Newport, VT in 13 hours 28 minutes.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- New England had several National Champions at USMS LCM Nationals from August 2-6. Karen Bierwert (NEM) won the women's 65-69 400m IM (7:00.55) and Tracy Grilli (GSP) won the women's 60-64 1500m free (21:31.37). Diann Uustal (SWMR) dominated the women's 70-74 age group, winning the 50m back (39.11), 100m back (1:25.54), 200m back (3:14.66), and 100m free (1:15.30) in National Record times and the 50m fly (35.02) and 50m free (33.02) in World Record times. Mindy Williams (GSP) won the women's 35-39 1500m free (19:00.15) and Uustal, Laura Delorey (GWDM), Bierwert, and Grilli won the women's 200m medley relay (2:11.97).
PENTICTON, BC, CANADA --
New England swimmers did well at the first ITU Aquabike World Championship in late August. Brooke O'Connor (YNS) placed 4th in women's 40-44, Robin Sandos (GWDM) placed 3rd in women's 35-39, and Mike McCombs (WAM) placed 2nd in men's 60-64. There were many Aquabikers at the event; it is a growing sport that many Masters swimmers may want to try.
ENGLISH CHANNEL -- New England LMSC had a huge summer in the English Channel! Pat Gallant-Charette (MESC) started things off on June 17, crossing in 17:55 and becoming the oldest person ever to do so. In August, two YNS swimmers took on the challenge, with
Andy Jones succeeding on August 8 (10:28) and Tommy Gainer triumphing on August 14 (12:56). Finally,
Bob Burrow of NEM accomplished this feat on September 15 in 10:51.
Got a shoutout? Email us.
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Upcoming Events
Oct 14 -- October Swim Fest at Simmons College (Sanctioned SCM)
Oct 15 -- New England LMSC Annual Meeting
Oct 22 -- HAWKtoberfest (Recognized SCY)
Oct 22 -- Propulsive Freestyle Clinic
Oct 28 -- Vampire Swim (25m, 100m)
Oct 28 -- 9th Annual Leaf Peepers Meet (Sanctioned SCM)
White River Junction, VT --
Details
Oct 29 -- 11th Annual Concord Masters Mini Meet (Recognized SCM)
Dec 8-10 -- NE LMSC Championships (Sanctioned SCM) -- REGISTER NOW
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Pat McDermot Swims Across Lake George
Pat McDermot (GSP) has been swimming for six years, the last two of which have included long distance open water swims. He recently completed an official unassisted marathon swim in Lake George, NY. Pat's crew included his wife
Lynn McDermot (kayak support for 20+ hours), his brother
Jay McDermot (support boat captain), and additional crew of
Sharon McDermot,
Katie McDermot,
Laura Foley,
Sheryl Scott (GSP) and
Karen Cole (GSP). Pat departed Diane's Rock on July 18 at 3:23 pm and swam against the wind during the day. Thankfully the wind relented during the night and Pat held his expected pace. The next morning, Pat battled headwinds to finish at the south end of Lake George around 4:15 pm on July 19. His total time was 24 hours and 50 minutes. Amazing!
- Stacy Sweetser, Sweetwater Swim Studio
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FINA Worlds was the Experience of a Lifetime
Twenty-one New England swimmers journeyed to Budapest to swim at the FINA World Masters Championships in August 2017. The Masters World Championships featured over 9,000 athletes across multiple sports, including 6,500 swimmers.
The Budapest facilities were amazing. The brand new Danube Arena is on the Danube River with 2 long course competition pools and indoor and outdoor short course warmup pools. A second venue, the Alfred Hajos Sports Complex, was about 15 minutes away on Margaret Island. The Hajos facility has two competition pools and a short course warmup pool. Age groups were assigned to different pools each day to allow competitors the opportunity to swim in the different pools and venues. The meet timelines were reasonable and competition finished each day early in the afternoon (as opposed to other Worlds where races went late into the night).
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Beth Estel (GSP) stood atop the podium twice in the 60-64 age group, winning the 100m breaststroke in 1:28.18 and the 400m freestyle with a time of 5:30.95. She also took second place in the 50m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 400m IM.
Ildiko Szekely (BUMS) took the gold in the women's 35-39 200m butterfly with a time of 2:23.45, winning by over 7 seconds. Szekely also earned two second place finishes in the 100m butterfly and 200m IM.
Rainy Goodale (MVM),
Karen Mareb (GSP) and
Mindy Williams (GSP) also earned medals.
My teammates agreed that the camaraderie among our team was a meet highlight. The Granite State Penguins workout group had 8 swimmers, mixed in with other New England Masters teammates who are regular Nationals and Worlds entrants. This made for a close-knit group in and out of the pool. Relay day brought us all together at one pool for fast swims and fun conversation.
Karin Stokes (GSP) highlighted the awesome swimming venue, the friendly people of Budapest, and the interesting architecture of the city. Karen Mareb commented that the "best times were eating and drinking out at all the fabulous restaurants with my teammates."
For me, this Worlds competition was the culmination of 5 years of Masters Swimming. I joined Masters Swimming in 2012 with the goal of finally following through on a fitness regimen. A few months in, there was talk at the pool about the Leaf Peepers Meet at UVAC. I went and I was hooked. Since then, I have attended USMS Nationals, Canadian Nationals, and Worlds in Montreal. The experience of training for and traveling to Budapest with my teammates surpassed all the other meets. Walking out onto the deck from the ready room, to swim in the same pool the elite and pro swimmers had competed in just a few weeks earlier, was intense. The work I put in paid off in my swims with top 10 finishes and personal best times. I enjoyed meeting swimmers from other countries and trading caps. Five years ago, I could not have imagined that swimming would take me to Budapest for the experience of a lifetime with the most amazing, supportive, and inspiring teammates and family.
- Kysa Crusco, GSP
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12th Annual Swim & Fin for Salem Sound
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SALEM, MA -- The 12th Annual Swim & Fin Race for Salem Sound went off without a hitch on August 20. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful morning to send nearly 150 swimmers into the clean, swimmable waters of Salem Sound!
Swimmers ranged in age from 11-74 and competed 500 meter, 1 mile and 5K races. We had so much great talent join us and swimmers of all abilities. It was a great race to watch!
The energy of the crowd was great as swimmers went in and came out of the water. Swimmers received ocean-themed awards by age group as well as wetsuit and non-wetsuits. First place was a scallop shell, second was a surf clam shell, and third was a quahog shell. The fastest male and female in each race received large scallop shells.
Robert Kysela of Maine Masters (MESC) won the men's 5k race, followed by
Christopher Borgatti (Unattached) and
Chris Waldman.
Emily Dobrindt was the women's 5k champion with
Rachel Saks Aronis taking second and
Tsveta Stanilova (MESC) finishing third. At the 1-mile distance,
Benjamin Czech,
Joe Wang, and
Richy Puopolo were the top three men.
Lyndsay Martin,
Kaelyn Patch, and
Fiona Price took podium spots in the women's race.
A great day was had by all and for a great cause. It was amazing to see so many people caring about our local environment and what better way to show how much you care about clean water. Thank you to everyone who came out to support Salem Sound Coastwatch!
- Megan Podeszwa, Salem Sound Coastwatch
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39th Annual Celebrate the Clean Harbor Swim
GLOUCESTER, MA -- Now in its 39th year, the
New England Open Water Swimming Association's ever popular Celebrate the Clean Harbor Swim was held on August 19th. The swim follows a 1.2 mile rectangular course out and back from Niles Beach, a sheltered cove on the north side of Gloucester Harbor. The event now includes a 500m youth swim, an introduction for 8-12 year old swimmers to the fun and challenge of open water racing.
Although more overcast than the perfect summer sunshine that this event typically enjoys, the conditions were perfect for racing with comfortable water temperatures and very little breeze or chop. North Shore and Boston area swimmers dominated the nearly 90 entries, including longtime former race director
Richie Martin in the largest and most competitive division of Men 60-69 years. There were also participants from all over New England and from as far afield as Illinois.
This year's non-wetsuit overall winners were
Kaitlin Pratt (Wakefield, MA) and
Graham Lott (Gloucester, MA). Wetsuit overall winners were
Hannah Perkins (Beverly, MA) and, for the third consecutive year,
Ethan Saulnier (Salem, MA). Kaitlin and Hannah are both 13 years old, and Hannah is a former winner of the youth swim. Overall winners received Megalodon teeth and division winners received shark teeth as prizes. Many thanks to race director
Dave Swensen and his team, volunteers, and sponsors for the professional management, a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, competitive racing and the coolest prizes.
- Guy Davis (GBM), NE LMSC Vice-Chair
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Mainers Dominate Nubble Light Challenge
YORK, ME -- Southern Maine's popular
Nubble Light Challenge open water race made its triumphant return on August 12 after a three year hiatus. The picturesque two and a half mile course takes swimmers from York's Long Sands beach around the rocky Cape Neddick headland, through "the Gut" - the narrow passage of water that separates Nubble Island from the mainland, and on to finish at Short Sands beach. Weather conditions were very favorable, with water temperatures in the low 60s, light winds, and a moderate swell. Nevertheless, the swim's long stretches of open ocean and unpredictable tidal currents around the headland most certainly warrant the race's moniker. The warmly cheering crowds on the rocks overlooking the Gut and at the finish provided great encouragement to the swimmers.
Maine Masters swimmers dominated this year's event with wetsuit winners
Cheryl Daly and
Justin Burkhardt and non-wetsuit winners
Susan Knight and
Simon Wignall. Congratulations to all who swam and completed the Nubble Light Challenge!
The race is a fundraiser for the great work of the Maine chapter of
NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) whose programs enhance the lives of any one impacted by mental illness through support, education and advocacy.
Big thank yous go to
Bob Reed,
Bob Fernald, and
Jen Zorn for their great work reviving and organizing this terrific event and to the many wonderful volunteers and sponsors who contributed to the fantastic atmosphere and very enjoyable event.
-
Guy Davis (GBM), NE LMSC Vice-Chair
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Minuteman Masters Make Their Mark at Mighty Merrimack
LOWELL, MA -- The Minuteman Masters (MAMA) turned out in force to support the
Mighty Merrimack 1- and 2-mile Swim on August 6. Next year's race is scheduled for August 5, 2018.
Pictured left to right are:
"Big" Al Prescott, 1st overall non-wetsuit, 1 mile
Mark Devlin, 1st overall non-wetsuit, 2 mile
Kathy McGovern, 1st overall female, 2 mile
Denise Veenstra, 1st place age group, 2 mile
Maria Beconi, 1st place age group, 2 mile
- Al Prescott (MAMA), NE LMSC Treasurer
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Miles 4 Michelle Raises $3000 for Scholarship
Cathrine Thibault and her staff from Compassion Massage Therapeutic Clinic in Leominster, MA gave the swimmers post-race massages. We also had many awesome raffle prizes, including a one hour massage from Compassion Massage and gift certificates from the Claw Shop in Leominster, Sneakerama in Worcester, and Slate Bar and Grill in Leominster, to name just a few!
It was an amazing day to bring everyone together -- those that knew Michelle and those that just know her story. I look forward to this event every year because I know Michelle is not forgotten and never will be. We were able to raise over $3,000 to go towards the Michelle Farnsworth Scholarship Fund. We hope to continue this event for years to come! Please keep an eye out for next year's date.
- Alyssa Farnsworth, Event Director
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Multiple Records Set at Jenny Thompson Swim Meet
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DOVER, NH -- It was the middle of July in New England, and the sun was up early as close to a hundred swimmers gathered for the annual Summer Meet at the Jenny Thompson LCM Pool. There were no clouds in sight, and the water was blue, crystal clear, and cold--the kind of invigorating cold that makes you smile when you jump in, that makes you want to swim fast.
And we did. Eighty-eight masters swimmers splashed 271 times during a beautiful morning of great swimming and fun. In the end, it was Maine Masters who collected 1196 points for a first place team effort, edging out host Great Bay Masters, who garnered 1078 points. This year's installment of the annual sanctioned NE LMSC event was four fantastic hours of friends, family, and swimming.
Individually,
Dan Epstein of Charles River Masters set his first New England record by swimming a time of 36.74 in the 50-meter backstroke (men 65-69).
Dan Rogacki of Pittsfield YMCA Polar Bear Masters began his assault on the men's 70-74 record books by competing in his first meet in that age group. Rogacki shattered records in the 50, 100 and 200-meter breaststroke events, with times of 39.67, 1:31.35, and 3.23.96 respectively.
There's something about the 50-meter pool that can feel jarring, but also very honest: it just doesn't seem to ever end. I, for one, left the meet wiser and with greater resolve for next year. I hope it's sunny in July of 2018. And I hope you can join us there for a great event.
- Dan Epstein, Charles River Masters
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Send your news, events, and results to:
Alana Aubin
Communications Chair, New England LMSC
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