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Pacific Update
Week of October 11th, 2021
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Hello!
In this issue, you will find information on upcoming swimming events. Next weekend is our first in-person competition since the COVID lockdown, the Pacific Masters Kerry O'Brien SCM Championships. Hope to see you there! We are also excited by the return of the Brute Squad swims sponsored by DAM, as well as the Encore Games, formerly the Senior Games, for those 50 and over. Abbie Fish of Swim Like A. Fish, returns with flip turn advice at our Community Talk and Social Hour.
Pacific Masters figured prominently in the award presentations at the recently-held USMS Annual Meeting. Congratulations to our winners!
The next issue of the Update will appear on Monday, October 25, 2021. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
Stay fit,
The Pacific Masters Swimming Committee
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Pacific Masters Swimming: Kerry O'Brien SCM Championships
October 15 - 17
Registration is now closed. Hosted by Walnut Creek Masters, this three-day meet will take place at Clarke Swim Center. The meet will follow Contra Costa County and the city of Walnut Creek's COVID guidelines, including wearing masks in the locker rooms and other indoor spaces.
It will be wonderful to compete in person, bringing a touch of normalcy to our swimming world. Pacific Masters wishes good luck to all participants! Information
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Ross Yancher Brute Squad and Brute Squad Lite ePostal Swims
November 1-30
The DAM Brute Squad is back for 2021, better and more inclusive than ever. NEW: Non-Competition Category, all USMS members may participate! NEW: Commemorate your accomplishment by swimming for yourself or in honor of someone. Include your honoree's name on your Brute shirt! Intrigued?
Details available soon.
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Pacific Masters Community Talk and Social Hour
Better Flip Turns with Abbie Fish
Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 7 pm PST
Abbie Fish, creator and head coach of Swim Like A. Fish, is at it again! We last heard from Abbie at our Community Talk in April, 2021, when she spoke on the importance of kicking in swimming. With this return engagement, she will help pool swimmers of all skill levels get to the wall and turn around efficiently. Abbie has keen technical knowledge, so expect the nitty-gritty on flip turns. Q&A will follow. Come connect with friends new and old. Information and Registration
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Bay Area Encore Games Swimming Meet
November 21
The Bay Area Encore (Senior) Games are back for those of us 50 years or older. The meet will be held at the Rinconada Pool in Palo Alto on November 21.
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Pacific Masters Annual Celebration and Meeting
November 14, 1-4:15 PM
Once again this meeting will take place virtually. Join us to hear Olympian Bowe Becker share his amazing story of going from alternate to gold medalist in the recent Olympic games. Plus, Olympian and Pacific Masters member Roque Santos will tell us about his swimming experiences, pass down insights, and give us technical tips on how to swim Roque Solid Breaststroke.
The Wheel of Names returns with prizes and cash awards to the teams with the most attendees. Pacific’s Annual Meeting will feature our 2021 Pacific Masters Service Award winners, and the results of our bi-annual election. Registration will close November 11 at noon.
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Elections for Pacific Masters
November 14
In odd-numbered years. Pacific Masters is required to hold elections for Pacific Masters officers at our annual meeting. This year, elections will be held at our Annual Celebration and Meeting on November 14. Per our Bylaws, a nominating subcommittee is formed and presents a list (slate) of at least one nominee for each office at the Pacific Masters Committee meeting prior to the Annual Meeting. Our bylaws also allow for additional nominations.
The 2021 Pacific Masters nominating subcommittee has presented this years' slate of nominees. The candidate information can be found here.
Due to the virtual nature of our Annual Meeting, we have put some processes in place to ensure a smooth election. If a Pacific Masters member wishes to make an additional nomination for one of the elected positions, they may do so until October 15 by following the guidelines listed in the Bylaws (reproduced below), and sending them to the 2021 nominating subcommittee.
103.5.5D. Additional nominees shall be accepted at the Annual Meeting upon nomination by two (2) individual members of Pacific Masters Swimming and written consent of the nominee(s).
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Pacific Masters Seeking Diversity & Inclusion Volunteer
The D&I Sub-Committee Chair for Pacific Masters is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer(s) to fulfill its new position. We are looking for compassionate volunteers that are able to promote Masters Swimming as an open activity at events like Pride Days, adaptive sports clinics, and more. Your focus will be to work with underserved populations and help make all swimmers feel welcome.
Duties include serving as an appointee to the Pacific Masters Swimming Committee, sending in monthly D&I status reports to be included on the agenda, as well as generating a safe line of communication for member concerns. Volunteer(s) must serve as a liaison between Pacific Masters and the National Committee. Anyone that is interested or has questions about this position is encouraged to send an email to coach_donita@yahoo.com.
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Pacific Masters Monthly Meeting
October 20, Doors Open at 6:45, Meeting at 7 PM
Join us Wednesday, October 20th for our monthly meeting via the Zoom platform. If this is your first time Zooming, we suggest you sign on a little early to ask questions and address technical issues. Even if you are familiar with Zoom, sign on early to say "hi" to your fellow swimmers.
All members are encouraged to participate. Our monthly meeting reminder email will provide the Zoom link. If you are not on that list and would like to attend, please contact Chris Ottati, Administrator, for details.
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It’s Time for 2022 Club Registration
Opened October 1
Club registrations for 2022 opened October 1. Current club contacts should have received a
reminder email from USMS in mid-September. There have been a few changes to the process
that were outlined in that email. The main change is that club contacts will need to have a MYUSMS login in order to complete the Club renewal process.
Click here for the USMS Club Registration Information page. If you are a club contact and you have questions or need help, please contact clubandcoach@usmastersswimming.org or call 941-256-8767 before swimmer registration opens on November 1.
SWIMMERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIGN UP WITH THEIR CLUB IF IT IS NOT REGISTERED!
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Become a USMS Certified Coach!
USMS has a 4-Level Coach Certification program, and Level 1 can now be taken online! The fee for the Level 1 class is $125 and Pacific Masters offers an 80% scholarship ($100) to USA swim coaches, lifeguards who work at a USAS or USMS club, and to those already coaching Masters swimmers at their club. You do not have to hold a coaching position to apply. Plans for 2022 are in order, and as Pacific Masters builds our base of coaches, we want you to be a part of our growth. Contact Chris Ottati with questions or to apply.
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Folsom Aquatic Center Resumes Masters Workouts
1200 Riley St., Folsom. CA 95763
The Folsom Aquatic Center is restarting their Masters Swimming workouts. Workouts are from 5:30 to 6:45 AM Monday through Friday, with Saturday practices from 8:15 to 9:30 (when the USA Sierra Marlins Swim Team is NOT hosting a swim meet).
There is on-deck coaching for all workouts. The cost is $65 per month. This location should be convenient for those living in the northern Sacramento suburbs as well as Roseville and the greater Folsom area.
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USMS 2021 Annual Meeting
The weekend of September 24-26, United States Masters Swimming (USMS) held its 2021 Annual Meeting. To hear Pacific Masters member USMS President Peter Guadagni's opening remarks, click here. For a recording of USMS CEO Dawson Hughes' overview of the health and direction of USMS, click here.
Through a Zoom format, delegates elected officers to its Board of Directors and recognized our dedicated volunteers with service awards. Many well-deserved honors were bestowed. The Update is proud to report that Pacific Masters Swimming, the largest LMSC in the nation, shone brightly in the award arena.
The Dorothy Donnelly Service Award, named after Dorothy Donnelly, one of USMS’s first super-volunteers, is for outstanding service within USMS. Three of the 14 recipients of this award are Pacific Masters members: Karen Harris (RPM), Carol Nip (ALB), and Bill McCracken (TVM). Thank you for all your extra efforts, Karen, Carol and Bill!
The winner of this year’s Local Club of the Year: Marcia’s Enthusiastic Masters of Oakland (MEMO). Congratulations to Marcia Benjamin and all her enthusiastic teammates!
The Kerry O’Brien Coaches Award is named in honor of Coach Kerry O'Brien of Walnut Creek Masters, who embodies the passion, dedication, and heart that these coaches bring to the pool deck. Donita Flecker (SMAC) is one of five recipients this year. Three cheers to Donita! A special appreciative nod goes to Kerry O’Brien.
The Long Distance National Championship Award is presented annually to an individual or group that has made significant contributions to the success and promotion of long distance national championship events. This year's recipient is Pacific Masters LMSC!
The devotion and passion of Pacific Masters cannot be hidden! Read the full list of elected officials and award winners here. See the winners and hear more about their accomplishments and contributions to Masters Swimming with this video of 2021 USMS Service Awards.
Thanks to all participants who make USMS such a vibrant organization. Let's keep swimming!
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Editor's Note
USMS 2021 Annual Meeting Presentation, In Memoriam
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The USMS Annual Meeting and Convention, in addition to conducting the organization's business-at-hand, traditionally includes a memorial.
This year, the History and Archives Committee carefully prepared a heartfelt tribute. For a remembrance of the USMS members who have left us for waters beyond, we solemnly and respectfully present, In Memoriam.
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