Pacific Update
Week of October 26, 2020 |
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In this issue you will find information on upcoming pool events and other information of interest to the local adult swimming community.
The next issue of the Update will appear on November 9, 2020. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, November 4, 2020.
Stay fit,
The Pacific Masters Swimming Committee
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Open Water Clinic: Swimming Through The Winter
November 11
On Wednesday, November 11, 7:00-8:00 pm, Pacific Masters will offer an open water Zoom clinic, Swimming Through The Winter. Unlike the summer months, mishaps can happen during the cold water winter months, and our open water swimmers benefit from being well informed. This clinic is tailored for those who want to explore swimming in cold water, how to avoid hypothermia, and more.
There is no charge to USMS registered members, however a $10 charge applies to all others. Register here.
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Ross Yancher Brute Squad and Brute Squad Lite ePostal Swims
Ongoing through November 30
It is again time to challenge yourself with the 12th Annual Brute Squad e-Postal, sponsored by Davis Aquatic Masters! The event consists of a timed, continuous 200 fly, followed by a 400 IM, and finishes with a 1650 free. For swimmers who are intimidated by these distances, DAM offers a smaller event called the Brute Squad Lite. This event features timed, continuous distances of 100 fly, 200 IM and a 500 free. Along with everything in 2020, the rules are a little different this year! Information. Registration is now open.
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USMS 3000/6000-Yard ePostal National Championships
Ongoing through November 15
The Florida Gold Coast LMSC (Local Masters Swim Committee) is hosting the USMS 3000/6000-Yard ePostal Nationals between September 15 and November 15. Ask your coach or another swimmer to take splits and provide a final time for your continuous swim. The challenge is most fun as a relay team, and that is possible with this event. Unlike other events, pull buoys, paddles, fins, and wetsuits are not permitted in this sanctioned event. Hmmm, who can swim this with you? Swimmer Registration.
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Go The Distance
 Ongoing through November 20
Go the Distance is a USMS-sponsored self-directed program intended to encourage Masters swimmers to exercise regularly. The distance milestones must be completed by the end of this calendar year. Since most of us have been out of the water for a while, participating in this program could be a great way to track your progress as you get back in shape. Last year, 2,504 participants swam a total of 539,002.11 miles. |
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Swim Across America Virtual Coast to Coast Challenge
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2020 Pacific Masters Annual Celebration and Meeting - Registration Open!
November 8 & November 15
Join us virtually on the afternoons of November 8th and 15th and help your club out at the same time! We will be sending checks to the clubs with the most members attending our Annual Celebration meeting on November 15th. In addition, we will be giving out door prizes to those on that Zoom call.
How can we match our past celebrations? We think we've done it! Since we missed the Olympics this year, on November 8th we'll take a trip back to the 1976 Montreal Games with a screening of the amazing movie, The Last Gold. It's the story of the epic clash between the U.S. women swimmers and the steroid-enhanced East German team.
The film will be followed by a live (albeit virtual) panel discussion with the film's director, Brian Brown, and the athletes who were there, including Jill Sterkel, Wendy Boglioi, Camille Wright Thompson, Karen Moe Humphries, John Naber, Rick Collela, Gary Hall Sr, and moderated by Rowdy Gaines.
Our November 15th meeting will feature A Strange Year, the story of how our members adapted to the pandemic. We'll also present the Pacific Masters Service Awards and be treated to Albany Armada Aquatics' Bonnie Tsui talking about her popular book "Why We Swim." Additionally, we will be giving special prizes for clubs and individuals. Make sure to put these events on your not-to-be-missed list. Information and Registration. Registration closes November 5.
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Pacific Masters Return to Competition
The USMS Board of Directors approved Phase 1 of a return to sanctioned in-person pool competitions starting November 1st. Guidance and recommendations are on the USMS COVID-19 Event Resources page and includes the documents:
To facilitate the resumption of competition safely, Pacific Masters has modified some of its rules to encourage smaller meets. We will now consider sanction requests for Closed Invite meets. By Closed Invite, we mean meets where the host may limit the participants in some fashion. Some examples include intrasquad and dual meets, or meets where the five closest clubs participate. Closed Invite meets will allow hosts to reflect the desire of USMS to limit the travel of participants.
Pacific Masters will consider applications for sanctions on a case by case basis for events which:
- are consistent with Phase I of the USMS Return to Competition guidelines;
- meet all necessary local regulations and are provided as part of the sanctioning application;
- conform to the specific standards of maximum meet size and localized attendees as stated in the USMS guidelines.
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It's Time for 2021 Club Registration
Opened October 1
Club registration opened October 1. Current club contacts should have received a reminder e-mail from USMS with instructions. If you are a club contact and did not receive the e-mail, click here to get the 2021 Club Registration Instructions.
If you need more help, please click here. Remember, members cannot select a club at registration time if that club is not registered with USMS, so please get your club registered before November 1!
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USMS 2021 Swimmer Registration
Opens November 1
Individual swimmer 2021 USMS membership will open on November 1. USMS now has a Unified Fee, and all members, regardless of age or location, will be paying the same annual fee. Renew your membership for $60 and take your swimming to the next level. Here are just some of the great benefits you'll receive:
- Technique and training advice in SWIMMER magazine, STREAMLINES newsletters, and at usms.org.
- A vast Workout Library that features seven specialties and loads of workouts for every swimming level.
- Ability to participate in USMS pool, open water, or virtual events.
- Access to local club workouts.
- Exclusive discounts from our partners.
- Ability to link your account with Swim.com and analyze your workout or race information.
- Discussion forums to communicate with coaches and members nationwide.
- FUN social interaction with like-minded adults.
- And much more.
USMS and Pacific Masters are strongly encouraging our members to GO GREEN and not have a card mailed to you. You can download your card to your phone, tablet or computer!
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Has your club applied for the COVID-19 Relief Program?
Deadline November 15
Only three weeks left for Pacific member clubs to apply for the COVID-19 Relief Program. Emails were sent to club contacts in August. If your club is interested in learning more or applying for this grant and the appropriate contact did not receive our email, please contact the grant committee.
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The Last Wave
 by Gillian Best
We've been sharing some of our Update Editors' favorite swimming books to help ease the stress of the pandemic restrictions. Reading about swimming is not as therapeutic as actually being in the water, but it keeps us tuned in and has the potential to open our eyes to all aspects of our sport. See the full list here.
The Last Wave
This is the only work of fiction on the list, and it's a story enjoyed as much for the descriptions of ocean swimming as for the development of character and the engaging story. From the back cover: "Set in Dover, England, between the 1940s and present day, The Last Wave follows the life of Martha, a woman who has swum the English Channel ten times, and the complex relationships she has with her husband, her children, and her close friends." |
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Inspirational Swimmers
Many of us are invigorated by another person's ability to focus, physically overcome challenges, and achieve goals. There are many inspirational swimmers among us. We wanted to take a moment to recognize someone today, and in small part, say thanks for continuing to inspire us.
You may have heard about Walnut Creek Masters Swimmer Dave Matthews, who was hit by a suspected drunk driver and subsequently had his legs amputated. In July, when SwimSwam wrote that "it is unclear whether Matthews will ever be able to return to the pool," it was clear they didn't know Dave. Determined, optimistic, and with his strength increasing, Dave returned to the pool in September with resilience, resolve, and grace swimming three days/week with the team. When asked what inspires him, he said, "Showing people what you can do, not what you can't do." We salute you, Dave!
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