We’re thrilled to announce the 2025 NELMSC Award Recipients—incredible swimmers, coaches, and community leaders who make Masters Swimming in New England so special.

Summer’s also heating up with our open water series, exciting local meets, and community events that bring swimmers of all levels together from lakes to lanes.

Plus, don’t miss the latest installment of the Geezer Zone — David Edsall breaks down Zone 2 endurance training and why “swimming slower to race faster” might be the smartest thing you do this season.

Scroll down to celebrate our winners, plan your summer swims, and get inspired for your best season yet!

The New England Local Masters Swim Committee (NELMSC) is proud to recognize these outstanding individuals for their contributions to Masters Swimming at the club, regional, and national levels.

Appreciation Awards: Alana Aubin & Sheryl “Scotty” Scott

Alana has served in multiple leadership roles at every level—from NEM Swim Club coach and communications lead to NELMSC Chair and USMS Long Distance Committee member. She modernized both NEM and NELMSC’s websites and communication platforms, and her infectious enthusiasm for open water and pool swimming has inspired countless others to dive in.

Scotty, a vital part of the Granite State Penguins, is a USMS Level 3 coach known for her work with swimmers of all levels. She promotes smarter swimming for triathletes, organizes team events like the 1-Hour ePostal, and uplifts her team with creative workouts and fun recognition like the “Steady Penguin” award.

Lifesaver Recognition Award: CJ Dickson

When teammate Rick Battistini suffered a medical emergency at the 2024 Colonies Zone meet, CJ—a physician and longtime USMS participant—acted swiftly and decisively. Her emergency response and advocacy for the best treatment facility quite literally saved Rick’s life. We are all grateful she was there.

Frank Wuest Open Water Swimming Award: Gary Girolimon

As NELMSC Open Water Sanctions Coordinator, Gary has cultivated a thriving open water community through events like the Glen Lake Swim and the New England Open Water Series. He builds connections both online and lakeside—enthusiastically encouraging swimmers of all levels to join in the fun.

Coach of the Year: Andrew “Andy” Strehle

Andy’s leadership with the Wild Crab team has led to national records, team growth, and a contagious spirit of camaraderie. He sets the example with meet participation, organizes strategic relays, and energizes teammates with his legendary post-race recaps. Andy leads from the heart—and it shows.

Distinguished Service Award: Doug Bosley

Doug has shaped New England Masters Swimming through years of service—as NEM President, Swim Across America champion, and open water adventurer. From leading ‘Team Festivus’ across Boston Harbor to helping guide NEM through the pandemic, Doug’s generosity and dedication continue to uplift our community.

Lifetime Appreciation Award: Bill Brenner

A lifelong champion of Masters Swimming, Bill Brenner has educated thousands as USMS’s Senior Director of Club and Coach Development. He co-developed our coaching and ALTS programs, leads clinics nationwide, and inspires coaches and swimmers alike. Bill’s wisdom, energy, and heart are the gold standard in our sport.

Please join us in celebrating these exceptional members of our swimming community at the 2025 New England LMSC Awards & Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will take place Sunday, September 28, at J. Anthony’s Italian Grill, 917 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA. Their leadership, generosity, and spirit are what make the New England LMSC and USMS so special. Thank you to all our volunteers, coaches, and swimmers who make Masters Swimming in New England a place of excellence, inclusion, and fun.



Don't miss these upcoming events!

Check out these two opportunities

for open water tune ups:

Swim Clinic for new and intermediate adult (18+) open water swimmers led by certified Total Immersion coach Celeste St. Pierre in support of the Glen Lake Swim.

Time and Location: Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 9:00am to 12:00 pm at the Goffstown Parks and Recreation Center, 155 South Mast Street, Goffstown, NH 03045.

Cost is only $25 and is limited to 20 participants. Each participant will receive a free 30 Day Trial membership to USMS and FREE New Wave Swim Buoy!

• Clinic will start with a brief classroom discussion covering:
• Balance, stability, and propulsion
• Tips on breathing
• Smooth sighting and navigation

Session will then move to the lake with drills to address the above.

This 5 hour clinic led by coach Charlotte Brynn, is geared towards those new to open water and those looking to become more comfortable in the open water. Learn how to navigate, swim straight, and relax your breathing. Includes 2 in-water sessions and intro lecture on land.

Time and Location: Friday, August 1, 2025 at Lake Memphremagog, VT.

Geezer Zone #2: Endurance Training

By David Edsall

Chew on this: No one ever gained endurance, strength, or size from exercise. Exercise breaks muscle down—chemically and structurally. The gains? They come later, with sleep and protein.

Welcome to the Geezer Zone—for those who are or aspire to be Geezers and Geezettes. Here, we train smarter after 60. Today’s focus: Zone 2—the stamina hack. Especially for those with decades at a desk and newfound drive as Masters swimmers. It’s the key to swimming farther—without fading.

The Fading Rule:

If you fade at the end of your all-out 50 or 100 (or anything longer), you need Zone 2 training.

Secretariat vs. Sham

Remember trainer Lucien Lauren and Secretariat? He built workouts around 60% long, steady gallops and 40% speed, with ample rest. Meanwhile, Sham trained hard every day—intervals on intervals. Secretariat’s final Belmont quarters? 23.6, 22.6, 23.8, 24.4, 24.8, 25.0. Sham started at 23.6… and crawled home in over 27, dead last, later diagnosed with a stress fracture.

Secretariat finished pulling away, running his last half-mile faster than the second-place horse ran his first. The secret? Zone 2 endurance.

Back in the Day…

“No pain, no gain” ruled—championed by Lombardi, Councilman, and countless coaches. Rick Battistini lived it in Reaching for Gold, grinding through three brutal workouts a day on four hours of sleep and gas station snacks. Imagine the results with rest and protein in the mix.

The mantra now?

“Swim slower to race faster.”

What Is Zone 2?

Zone 2 is aerobic, fat-burning training that builds endurance by improving your body’s efficiency. It:

• Boosts mitochondria (your diesel tractors) up to 4x
• Trains them to burn lactate (your engine’s exhaust)
• Delays fatigue and improves stamina

Swim faster than Zone 2 and you start burning glucose, which:

• Is limited in supply
• Produces more lactic acid
• Burns "dirtier," overheating your system
• Lowers blood pH and performance
• 
  

Here’s the kicker: Fat burns cleaner, yields twice the energy, and you’ve got plenty of it. Train your body to use it.

How to Train in Zone 2

Start simple: walking, biking, or easy swimming where you can still talk aloud. For beginners, aim for 50–55% of max heart rate (~80–90 bpm at age 60–65).

Max HR ≈ 220 – age (±20 bpm)

The Talk Test:

If you can talk, but haltingly, you're probably in Zone 2. As you improve, talking gets easier. Then, speed up—gradually.

Progression Goal:

Work toward 70–80% max HR. Beyond 80%, fat-burning stops being efficient.

Bonus: Better Mechanics

Zone 2 lets you focus on technique. If you're too gassed to think clearly, you're training too hard.

Fat Max & Biochemistry

Your Fat Max is the tipping point where your body shifts from burning fat to glucose. If you slip into Zone 3 during a workout, you won’t return to fat-burning mode for 15–20 minutes. That’s wasted training time.

Zone 2 Swim Workouts

How to Know You’re in Zone 2:

1. Talk Test: Speak in between reps or sets
2. Sprint Test:

• Swim a 50 all-out
• Add 30-50% of your time.
• That’s your Zone 2 pace
• Example: :30 sprint → :40-:45 Zone 2 interval

1. Target Lactate: 1.7–2.0 mmol/L

• <1.3 is too low
• 2.0 means you’re drifting into Zone 3

Progression Guidelines:

• Start at 50–55% max HR
• Over weeks/months, build to 70–80%
• 30 minutes = minimum effective dose
• 60 minutes = max benefit
• Dip into Zone 3? You’ll need 15–30 min to get back on track

Sample Swim Workouts

🟢 Beginner (50–55% HR, ~80–90 bpm)

• Warm-Up: 200y easy freestyle
• Main Set: 1200y steady @ 2:20–2:25/100y
• Talk haltingly
• Pause mid-lap to talk/check HR
• Lactate goal: 1.7–2.0 mmol/L
• Cool-Down: 100y easy back or breast
• Total: ~1500y, 30–35 min
• Frequency: 2–3x/week for 6–8 weeks
• Avoid: HIIT or weights for now

🟡 Intermediate (60–70% HR, ~95–110 bpm)

• Warm-Up: 200y free + 100y kick
• Main Set: 1800y steady @ 2:05–2:15/100y
• Cool-Down: 150y mixed strokes
• Total: ~2150y, 45–50 min
• Frequency: Every other day for 10–12 weeks
• Tip: Weights OK after swim or on rest days

🔴 Advanced (70–80% HR, ~110–125 bpm)

• Warm-Up: 300y (free, back, kick)
• Main Set: 2400y @ 1:55–2:00/100y
• Max ½ length walk/rest
• Cool-Down: 200y easy
• Total: ~2900y, 55–60 min
• Frequency: 2–3x/week, alternate with speed days

Final Tip:

Progress every 4–6 weeks, aiming for 60-minute sessions.

Heart rate is helpful—but lactate is more precise. HR can be misleading; 110 bpm might mean 50% or 90% depending on your conditioning. A lactate meter like the EDGE is a game-changer.

David Edsall is a retired anesthesiologist and Masters Swimmer currently training to compete at World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore this August. David splits time between Hooksett, NH and Mesa, AZ, loves swimming in his Endless Pool and competes with the Granite State Penguins and New England Masters.