In this issue, you will find information on upcoming swimming events and stories of interest. What a fantastic weekend of swimming at the Pacific Masters SCY Championships! Thank you to all who participated! See the recap below, including a tribute to Bill Grohe.
The next Update will appear on May 1, 2023. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
Stay fit,
The Pacific Masters Swimming Committee
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USMS Spring Nationals, Irvine, CA |
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Distance Fly Virtual Challenge |
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USMS 5k/10k Virtual Champs.
Information to follow
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Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim, Napa, CA |
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QuickSilver Fast and Free LCM Meet, San Jose, CA
Information to follow
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Pacific Masters Long Course Championships, Novato, CA
Information to follow
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Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend, Santa Cruz, CA
Information to follow
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USMS Spring Nationals, April 27-30, Irvine, California
U.S. Masters Swimming is excited to bring Spring SCY Nationals to the beautiful Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, California. Entry registration will close tonight, April 3 at 11:59 p.m. PST. No late entries will be accepted. Information and Registration
Distance Butterfly Virtual Challenge, May 1-June 30
Ever wondered whether you could swim distance fly? Now’s your chance to find out! Swim a 500, 1000, or 1650 fly for time in any SCY, LCM, or SCM pool. Step it up a notch and try all or any combination of those events. Compare your times to others throughout our LMSC and even USMS. Information and Registration
Lake Berryessa, June 3, and Del Val Open Water Festival, June 10-11
After the refreshing rains of these past months, we are looking forward to this summer's Open Water season. Information and Registration
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Pacific Masters SCY Championship Recap
Crisp, cold mornings gave way to sunny afternoons and the wonderfully accommodating Morgan Hills Aquatic Center was the place to be last weekend. 540 swimmers completed 2,438 splashes. Meet Results
Sunday afternoon, while swimming in the last heat of the men’s 50 freestyle, 89-year-old Bill Grohe suffered a heart attack. Despite the rapid response of the timers, guards, and EMTs, Bill sadly did not survive. The break in the competition to attend to Bill was a sobering moment. Read the tribute to Bill.
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Special Notice: New Rules Changes
Regarding the Backstroke and the Breaststroke
Pacific Masters is making the following changes to conform to World Aquatics and USA Swimming rules, effective as of now.
Backstroke: It is now legal to be completely submerged at the finish of your Backstroke race, once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the 5-meter mark (long course and short course meters) or 5-yard mark (short course yards) immediately prior to reaching the finish, prior to the touch. Complete Rule Description here.
Breaststroke: There is no longer a requirement for the arms, or legs, to move in the same horizontal plane during the Breaststroke. The arms and legs must still move in a simultaneous fashion. Complete Rule Description here.
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Coach Appreciation Week
May 1-7, 2023
Where would Pacific Masters be without our dedicated coaches? Whether it is providing stroke instruction, helping us stay injury free, or just keeping us sane, our coaches are an essential element of our swimming routine and of our organization.
Despite their importance, it is easy to take our coaches for granted and forget to thank them for their efforts. For this reason, Pacific Masters Swimming established the Annual Pacific Masters Coach Appreciation Week designated as the first week in May.
While we encourage our members to regularly thank their coaches, please consider Coach Appreciation Week as an opportunity to let them know how much you value their efforts. Here are some ideas:
- A card or email telling the coach how their instruction helped you accomplish a goal
- A gift card for coffee, ice cream, a movie, or other treat
- Flowers, candy, a book, bottle of wine, or whatever you think your coach may enjoy
- A massage or spa day
- A certificate for a weekend getaway or special meal
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ALTS Instructor Certification Course
Sunday, May 21, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Fresno, CA
Make a difference. Teach adults to swim.
This is a great opportunity to gain skills under the guidance of experienced leaders specializing in teaching adults. This course will be capped at 25 registrants. Registration
We are offering a limited number of scholarships up to $150 for the clinic and reserving spots for the attendees. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please answer the following questions and email your responses to Kim Elsbach by this Thursday, March 23rd.
- How will you be using your ALTS Certification to benefit Pacific Masters Swimming?
- Have you been an ALTS Volunteer or non-certified ALTS Instructor in the past? (Please provide details)
- Do you have other experience in coaching, volunteering, or any relevant certifications?
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Pacific Masters Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, April 19, Doors open at 6:45, Meeting begins at 7:00 PM
Join us Wednesday, April 19, 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.
Our monthly meeting reminder email will provide the Zoom link. If you are not on that list and would like to attend, please send an email to [email protected] for details. All members are encouraged to participate.
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Coaching Opportunities
Burlingame Aquatic Club (BAC) is recruiting a part-time Head Masters Swimming Coach who will manage the operations of BAC’s Masters swimming programs. The hourly base pay range for this role is expected to be between $40-$50. Full job description here. Contact information
Woodland Masters is looking for someone to take the morning Masters coaching slot during the week. Practices are 5:30am-6:30am, M-F. Please contact Dave Karacozoff at [email protected] or 916-284-3590.
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Delegate Opportunity: 2023 USMS Annual Meeting
September 8-10, Houston, TX, and Virtual
Are you interested in being a Pacific Masters delegate for the 2023 USMS Annual Meeting? This year’s meeting will be held from Friday afternoon, September 8 to Sunday morning, September 10, and will again offer a virtual option. In-person delegates will travel to Houston, TX, and virtual delegates will attend via Zoom. In-person delegates will have reasonable travel expenses paid by Pacific Masters. Please contact Chris Ottati, Administrator for more information or to put your name on the list for consideration.
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World Aquatics Master Championships
August 2-11, Kyushu, Japan (Fukuoka for swimming events)
After being postponed several times, the World Aquatics Master Championships will be held this summer in Kyushu, Japan. Swimming events will be held in Fukuoka. Information and Registration.
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The Beauty of the Locker Room
The other day I was in the locker room after my workout, talking and laughing per usual. As I was saying my goodbyes, I commented to one of my friends whom I hadn't seen in a while, "The locker room banter is half the reason why I come to work out. It's the best!"
Bonnie Tsui tends to agree as she writes in this NYT piece, "I Am Not 80 Yet, but Among These 80-Year-Olds Is Where I Like to Be."
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