Pacific Masters Swimming Update, Week of July 20, 2020

Disappointed that all those pool meets have been cancelled and need some training motivation? Join Sebastopol Masters and pull your heart out in August by participating in the 400 Fastest Pull postal event. The top 3 men and women in each category (paddles and no hand paddles) win a prize! Ribbons awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each category for men and women by age group. This is another great way to get back into shape! Registration.

Open Water Swim Season

Due to ongoing safety and health concerns in our communities, events have been cancelled and r efunds are being processed for those people who have already registered.

August 1-2 Santa Cruz Open Water weekend is cancelled.

August 15 Donner Lake has been cancelled.

Other Open Water Races

Save the Bay, a virtual swim to fund raise for the beautiful Narragansett Bay in New England, is ongoing from May 6 - August 31. For more information click here.

July 1-October 31 Swim Across America Virtual Coast to Coast Challenge to raise money for cancer research. For more information click here.

USMS Virtual Events

Virtual events that can be completed in a workout setting (pool or open water) are the most practical path to ease back into competitions and fitness events. USMS is hosting several events for members who have access to swim safely:

1. 2020 SmartyPants Vitamins USMS Summer Fitness Challenge (July 15-31)

2. 2020 USMS 5K/10K ePostal National Championships (June 1-Sept. 30)

3. 2020 Toyota USMS Virtual Championships (Aug. 12-23)

4. Go the Distance (ongoing)

U.S. MASTERS SWIMMING NEWS

USMS Award Nominations and Championship Bidding

Bidding for USMS Open Water and ePostal Championships remain open until August 24. Click here for more information.

PACIFIC MASTERS NEWS

In Memory of Ben

Our hearts are heavy this week as we honor the amazing life of Ben Swiggett, Meet Director for the annual Cal Masters Meet (CALM). Ben was also a USA-S swim official, with two sons swimming on Albany Armada Aquatics. Ben made a huge impact on the Armada team as a tireless volunteer who was always willing to offer his time. He would often take on the least desirable jobs, doing them with a smile and a "no problem" attitude. As a team official, he often worked meets from start to finish, even when his swimmers were done for the day. He found joy in supporting the Armada community, and we will be forever grateful for his giving spirit. Ben especially cherished his family: he was poolside at every meet and recorded every swim for his son Luke and grandson Caleb. He will be dearly missed by so many. In the spirit of this remarkable man, go out and live your life with passion and do the things you love every day! Obituary

Create a Video for the 'Strange Year In Review' - The Pacific Masters Movie

Pacific Masters is producing a 2020 Year in Review video comprised of clips of members showing how they weathered the pandemic. Send us your own video (you can use your phone) showing where you found water away from the shuttered pools, or how you stayed connected to your teammates. Read more.

COACH'S CORNER

This is a Good Time to Keep A Fitness Log

Since most of us have been out of the water for a while, keeping a fitness log helps to build our bodies back into shape.

Go The Distance,a USMS sponsored event, is conveniently already up and running for 2020. Just log in and track your journey to a new level of swim fitness.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Swimming Books

Recently we've been sharing some of Kate's favorite swimming books. Click here for the full list. Here's a book that doesn't appear on the list, but deserves to be featured this week in celebration of Pride Month and Black Lives Matter:

Update Editors highlighted read: Odd Man Out, An Autobiography, Jeff Commings (2010).

Jeff Commings writes about his teenage years and most of his 20s, when he was afraid to live openly as a gay man among friends and family. Though he was a member of several USA Swimming national teams and competed in two Olympic Trials, his fear of rejection from those he loved and respected severely affected his life socially and athletically. Jeff discovered Masters Swimming and initially used the workouts as a way to stay in shape. At the 2003 Masters National Championships, Jeff won five events and set his first national record in the 100 breast. Jeff holds a Masters World Record in the 100-meter Individual Medley. (From Amazon.com)