This just in, copied directly from an EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE alert from U.S. Masters Swimming... Due to the change in Masters swimwear rules published by FINA January 16, 2010, and pursuant to Article 601.4.8, the USMS Rules Committee and the USMS Executive Committee have approved the following emergency changes to the USMS swimwear rules. These changes are effective immediately for short course meters and long course meters competition. The changes are effective June 1, 2010 for short course yards competition. Note that the new swimwear rules no longer allow modesty/privacy wear underneath the competition suit nor zippers or fasteners of any kind except for a waist tie on a brief or jammer. The new swimwear rules will not ...

Tags: Masters Swimmer, swimsuits, U.S. Masters Swimming, USMS

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I had an entire list of fun swimming-related toys, books, paraphernalia to text at you for my 2009 Christmas wish list, such as…

a lap counter  Hello! I've been known to lose count after 3 laps. a copy of “Swimming Anatomy” by Ian McLeod. USMS Marin Pirates swim coach, Cokie Lepinski, recommended this incredible book to me – but I couldn’t wait. My copy is sitting right here on my desk. a gift certificate to my favorite online swim store, SwimOutlet.com

But, I’ve changed my mind. All I really want for Christmas is world peace and for my torn biceps tendon ...

Tags: USMS

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I am still alive. I plan to wrap up the Tuolumne County Masters Aquatics 2010 calendar today, and I will have a life again. In fact, after I toss this cantankerous, s-l-o-w Dell computer out the window, I will attend the Pacific Masters Swimming annual meeting / potluck at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek.

Here is a sneak peek of what I've been up to...

Any other USMS teams out there need a calendar?

Tags: Pacific Masters, Tuolumne County Aquatics Masters, USMS

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We’ve established I’ve had some annoying health ‘issues’ and spent more time on a pool deck than normal this past year. Consequently, I took a lot of photos at USMS swim meets, practices, open swims, etc. In one of my far-too-frequent philanthropic moods, I offered to create a calendar for Tuolumne County Aquatics Masters (TCAM). I figured it was the least I could do: my teammates have been pretty kind about allowing me to point a camera in their direction. Proceeds from the sales will be donated to an as yet undetermined local worthy cause. (No, not my camera gear fund!) I asked Coach Patti to decide, and I certainly trust her opinion in ...

Tags: TCAM, Tuolumne County Aquatics Masters, U.S. Masters Swimmer, USMS

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Sometimes daily deadlines and a horrible internet connection prevent me from having fun here on the blog. And by horrible internet connection, I mean this company. For those of you fortunate enough to live in an urban area where you have access to DSL and all sorts of high-speed and UNLIMITED internet - I so completely and entirely envy you! My two options here in the hinterlands are dial-up (stop snickering) and satellite. In case you didn't know, satellite internet providers limit your daily access. Once you've reached their "Fair Access Policy" quota - that's it, you're kicked off for at least 24 hours. And, to add insult to injury, ...

Tags: TCAM, USMS

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Casey Coble, 27, the swim coach at the Lancaster Aquatic Club in PA, was diagnosed in April 2006 with a form of leukemia. Casey endured two years of chemo and went in to remission. The cancer returned in September, and he needs our help. Every morning, while I'm sipping my Peet's Coffee and slowly becoming aware of my surroundings - I scan a variety of online news sources. I start with sfgate.com and nytimes.com and move into local news, cycling news and finally, saving the best for last, swimming news. I peruse USMS.org to see what’s up in the Masters Swimming world, and I check headlines to see ...

Tags: Masters Swimming, swimmers, USMS

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U.S. Masters Swimming membership grew by 11% in 2009 and there has been a 7% growth in the number of registered USMS clubs. Accordingly, the organization "added three additional development coordinators to better serve current Masters programs as well as grow additional USMS programs." You can read the full article here.

Looks like we're catching on!

 

Tags: U.S. Masters Swimming, USMS

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This just in from U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS):  The FINA Masters Committee has recommended that the FINA Bureau, meeting in mid-January, approve its recommendation that Masters swimmers be governed by the same swimsuit rules as the elite pool swimmers. If the Bureau approves the committee's recommendation, it is anticipated it would go into effect after the Bureau meeting. If this recommendation becomes policy with the FINA Bureau, USMS will implement it for our sanctioned swim meets.   For the time being and until the FINA Bureau issues its policy for Masters, the June 1, 2009 ruling that allowed technical suits in USMS swim meets is still in effect. If you choose to compete in a USA Swimming sanctioned meet, you ...

Tags: FINA, USMS

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Sitting at home last night with my leg elevated and my knee on ice, enjoying ibuprofen-enhanced mango sorbet, I actually wondered if the same people who invented the breaststroke invented the mammogram machine. They both involve contorting body parts in unnatural positions.

Curious to know the origins, I googled “who invented the breaststroke” and found on Wikipedia that the breaststroke dates back to the Stone Age. <There goes my above-mentioned theory.> It is thought that the leg action of the breaststroke may have originated by imitating the swimming action of frogs. Our local U.S. Masters program, TCAM, gave breaststroke instruction all week. The week prior was the butterfly stroke. Next week they’ll instruct us in backstroke ...

Tags: breaststroke, TCAM, USMS

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I kid you not; last week on the way to the airport, a friend asked me if the swimming convention I was about to attend would be held in a pool. Was I really just in Chicago surrounded by hundreds of U.S. Masters Swimmers (USMS)? Those 3 ½ days are like a blur. Did I know * anything * about the USMS structure prior to attending that convention? Heck no! To be honest, I’m still trying to figure it out. If I understand correctly - USMS is a non-profit organization run by a Board of Directors. The new Board of Directors, who assumed their new roles on the final day of the ...

Tags: U.S. Masters Swimmer, USMS

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