Week of December 11, 2023

Hi Christine,

Message from Pacific Masters Chair, Ian King

The newly elected Pacific Masters Swimming Executive Committee had the opportunity to meet on Sunday, December 10. Most of the committee members are new to their roles and they had a chance to discuss elements of how they will function as a team to best support the growth and development of our LMSC. They also discussed how they could best support each other as everyone launches into their new roles.

Brainstorming began on potential goals for 2024. The group reviewed the USMS Strategic Priorities and had some high-level discussion on how our LMSC might align our own goals and strategies with those of USMS. The committee decided to continue discussions on these topics as they look to meet again in early February.

December 1-31

MEMO 400 Kick for Time

January 1- 31

2024 USMS 1-Hour Virtual Championship

January 1- February 29

Tamalpais Masters 1500-Miracle Mile Postal

January 13

Santa Rosa Masters Resolution Meet

January 27

The Olympic Club 1500 Meter Swim

Registration is full and now closed.

February 10

Vacaville Super Bowl Meet, Walter Graham Aquatic Complex, Vacaville, CA

February 24

Splash and Dash Sprint Pentathlon, Albany Aquatic Center, Albany, CA

February 25

The City Mile, City College of San Francisco

12th Annual MEMO Kick for Time, December 1-31

The MEMO 400 Kick for Time returns! Completed in an organized, supervised USMS practice, this is a great way to whip your legs into shape for the 2024 season.

"Kick" the event between December 1 and December 31, 2023. Enter your results by January 10, 2024. Information and Registration

2024 USMS 1-Hour Virtual Championship

See how far you can swim in one hour and compare your distance to fellow Masters swimmers nationwide. This event can be completed in any pool 25-yards or longer and counts for points for Pacific Age Group Standings. Information and Registration

The Miracle Mile, January 1- February 29

Swim a Postal mile and help fund a cure for lung cancer. This important event is sponsored by Tamalpais Aquatic Masters. Information and Registration

Santa Rosa Masters Resolution Meet, January 13

Swim off the winter blues, and those extra holiday pounds. Santa Rosa Masters looks forward to hosting the annual Resolution Meet at our beautiful Santa Rosa JC Aquatic Complex. Join us as we ring in 2024 with the first Pacific Masters swim meet of the year! Information and Registration

The Olympic Club 1500-Meter, January 27

Sold out! Information

All February Events

Details to follow as they become available.

2023 Annual Celebration and Meeting

This year’s Annual Celebration and Meeting was an inspiring day full of activities, presentations, great food, and wonderful camaraderie. The recap is on our Pacific Masters website for all to enjoy.

Photos from the Celebration are available for viewing and downloading royalty free here.

Where to Find Meet Results

SwimPhone, Pacific Masters and USMS Websites

Looking back at 2023, there were many moments of challenge and inspiration in our world of swimming. Starting with the cold and blustery conditions of our outdoor meets in January and February, continuing on with the excitement of the Spring SCY and Summer LCM Championships, culminating with the exciting premiere of the ALTS swimmers' relays at The Kerry O'Brien SCM Champs in October, this year has been memorable.

Did you participate in any Pacific Masters meets this year? Curious about how your friends performed? There are three places to find Pacific Masters pool competition results:

• The easiest to use may be SwimPhone where many of our past meet results (unofficial) are posted. These results are database driven so swimmers and coaches can easily point and click to get individual and club results.

• Pool meet results from 1996 (27 years of results) are on our Pacific Masters website.

• Pacific’s official meet results from October 2006 are on the USMS website.

Join the Pacific Masters Update Editors Team

Join us and showcase your talents outside of the pool!

Pictured here is our award-wining Pacific Masters Update Newsletter editorial team: (from left) Missy Hunter, Linda Hepworth, Rich Burns, Jenn Hwang, and Michael Moore.

Do you have an interest in copywriting, design and/or editorial work? Would you like to have a hand in editing our bi-weekly newsletter, and get the inside scoop? If so, contact the Update Editors at updateeditors@pacificmasters.org.

2024 USMS Individual Registration

Don't miss out in 2024! Renew here.

A USMS membership will help you take your swimming to the next level. You can read about all the great benefits on the USMS site, but here are just some highlights:

• 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

Swimmers, check with your coach or club representative to make sure your club is registered for 2024. Your club must be registered with USMS in order for you to select that club when you register.

It's Never Too Late

Returning to the Water

As 2023 nears an end, it is appropriate to review what has been achieved and what is yet to come. Checking items off a Bucket List falls into this category. Roger Roberts, a 97-year-old Royal Navy WWII veteran, checked off a big one when he went swimming for the first time since surviving his ship, the HMS Charybdis, being torpedoed in the English Channel in 1943.

He attributed his survival to the fact that he was "a good swimmer" and went on to comment, "I have to say though, the water was a lot warmer than it was all those years ago in the English Channel." Read his story.