volunteers, awards, recaps
NE LMSC
NELMSC Announces Class of 2020 Hall of Fame ...
NELMSC Announces Class of 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees
NE LMSC
NELMSC Announces Class of 2019 Hall of Fame ...
NELMSC Announces Class of 2019 Hall of Fame Inductees
,

Applications Open for Scholarship to 2016 USMS National Coaches Clinic - Due Aug 19

,

The NE-LMSC has approved three $500 scholarships to help defray expenses for coaches to attend the 2016 USMS National Coaches Clinic (NCC) in San Mateo, California on November 11-13, 2016. 

For more details on the Clinic please click here: http://www.usms.org/content/coachclinic 

In return for financial assistance, each of the selected coaches must do the following:

  1. Write two articles for the NE-LMSC website/newsletter about a learning from the NCC -- e.g., a technique or series of drills -- in a manner that allows others to share and implement the knowledge;
  2. Run a swimmers clinic sharing material from the NCC.  These clinics will be open to all LMSC members and provided at no cost to LMSC members (other than any applicable pool drop-in fees).  Clinics can be run during a normal workout time.
  3. Support the other NCC attendees' clinics.
  4. Provide at least two photos or other visuals from the NCC to share on NE-LMSC social media or website.

How to Apply

In order to apply for this scholarship, applicants must have achieved the USMS Level 2 coaching certification and must submit the following via email to NE Coaches Chair at NEcoaches@usms.org by 5 p.m. on August 19th:

  • Their name and 2016 USMS membership number.
  • A short essay describing why they want to attend the NCC.
  • A description of how and where they will run a clinic following the NCC.

The Coaches Chair will also attend and adhere to the above requirements.  In addition the Coaches Chair will help support implementation of the free swimmer clinics.

A three-person subcommittee of NE-LMSC board members, including the Coaches Chair, will review and select the scholarship recipients by 5 p.m. on August 26th.

Remember, the scholarship application deadline is 5 p.m. on August 19th.

,

Kingdom Swim 2016 Recap

,

Contributed by Charlotte Brynn, NE-LMSC Open Water Chair

Results      Photos              

Kayakers and Swimmers preparing for the 10km marathon swim

LAKE MEMPHREMAGOG, NEWPORT, VERMONT -  With a variety of distances to choose from, a sandy start and finish, and fresh water, Kingdom Swim 2016 was a perfect event for first timers and seasoned veterans. This year, New England swimmers flocked to the waters of Lake Memphremagog, and they were in good company; approximately 150 swimmers and about 140 kayakers participated. They travelled from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ireland, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Quebec. Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington State, and Wisconsin.

Charlotte Brynn on her way to winning the 25km Border Buster

Charlotte Brynn on her way to winning the 25km Border Buster

The weekend kicked off with a Pizza Cruise on the Northern Star, with motivational speaker Craig Dietz, 41, from Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, also known as the Limbless Waterman. He delivered a powerful talk, and on Saturday, completed the longest swim of his life, the 10 km marathon course in a time of 4:12:35. Craig used a flipper attached to his left leg stump and undulated on his back.

Women's 10km skin podium

Women's 10km skin podium

After a terrific Pasta Dinner on Friday evening, swimmers were ready to take to the Lake. Kingdom Swim included the 15.9-mile (25 km) Border Buster, the USMS 10-mile Open Water National Championship, a non-championship wave of the 10-mile course, a 6.2-mile (10 km) race, as well as 3.1-mile (5 km) and 1-mile races.

For the first time this year, the event featured a pig roast in the evening. The event featured live music and a raffle to win entry to various swims, including Swim the Suck, Swim the Kingdom Week, and the Cork Distance Training Camp.

Top finishers in the men's 5km skin race

Top finishers in the men's 5km skin race

Big thanks to Bob Fernald, event referee, and Phil White of Kingdom Games and his volunteers who made this such a memorable event. The common thread in talking with swimmers post swim was, “I can’t wait to return to the North East Kingdom.” Congratulations to all those who swam, and enjoyed all that Open Water Swimming has to offer - good natured swimmers, beautiful scenery, and the camaraderie of enjoying the outdoors together, whether it be for competition or recreation. Top results can be found below, and full results are posted here. Additionally, registration is already open for 2017!

Border Buster - 15.9 Mile

Swimmers crossed the border into Canada and swam back to the USA. The overall course winner was Charlotte Brynn, 50, of Stowe, VT in 7 hours, 55 minutes, 46 seconds. Bill Shipp, 56, of Mitchellville, MD was second in a time of 8 hours, 18 minutes, 47 seconds. Ned Denison, 58, was third, finishing in 8 hours, 48 minutes, and 31 seconds.

NEW ENGLAND Female FINISHERS - SKIN

On the women's side, New England swimmers were a force, with 6 swimmers competing:

1.        7:55.46           Charlotte Brynn        50       Stowe VT

5.        9:19:06           Kellie Latimer            30       Norwood, MA

6.        9:21:10           Daniela Klaz               24       Jamaica Plain, MA

7.        9:21:10           Hillary Rodriguez       28       Jamaica Plain, MA

9.        9:45:06           Julie Burnett               50       Stoneham, MA

10.       10:36:54       Paula Yankauskas         61       Hyde Park, VT

 

NEW ENGLAND Male FINISHERS - SKIN

3.        9:03:10         Patrick McDermot       51       Salem, NH

4.        10:04:18       William Larkins           22       Freeport, ME

5.        10:42:19       Ian Grimmer                47       Middlebury, VT

 

10 Mile Non Championship – WetSuit

FEMALE

  1.        4:57:48       Gabi Redford        49       Annapolis, MD
  2.        5:08:33       Elaine Scholtz       54       Campton, NH

MALE

  1.        5:07:35       Herve Hamon          54       Norwalk, CT
  2.        6:01:31       Thomas Whalen       50       St. Louis, MO

 

6.2 Mile (10 km) - Skin

Female

  1.        2:32:25       Jen Olsen                 45       Millis, MA
  2.        2:36:22       Alana Aubin             26       Watertown, MA
  3.        2:54:16       Katharine Owen       37       Arlington, MA

Male

  1.        2:14:39       Eric Nilsson                   29       Weston, MA
  2.        2:30:03       Mark Loftis                    56       New York, NY
  3.        2:31:25       Christopher Cowley       24       Brookline, MA

 

6.2 Mile (10 km) - Wetsuit

Female

  1.        3:08:47       Melissa Ossanna          47       Bar Harbor, ME
  2.        3:34:30       Tamara Takoudes        46        Needham, MA
  3.        3:48:17       Maria Beconi              53        Bedford, MA 

Male

  1.        3:06:02       Michael McGurk       56       Sudbury, MA 

 

3.1 MILE (5 km) - SKIN

Female

  1.       1:17:45       Merin Troutman       42       Mystic, CT
  2.       1:30:13       Emily Boerger           21       Kingston, MA
  3.       1:31:50       Hilary Sullivan          35       Roslindale, MA

Male

  1.        1:33:05       Lawton Harper        49       Center Conway, NH
  2.        1:34:36       David Bentley         48       Winchester, MA
  3.        1:39:36       George Boerger       55       Kingston, NY

 

3.1 Mile (5 km) - Wetsuit

Female

  1.        1:17:34       Laura Delorey          53       Westminster, MA
  2.        1:34:46       Francine Amyot       52       St-Romuald, QC
  3.        1:38:34       Kay Thomas            49       Duxbury, MA

Male

  1.        1:18:52       Bruce Mohl        70       Bonita Springs, FL 

 

1 Mile - Skin

Female

  1.        0:23:54       Renee Reiser         49       Annapolis, MD
  2.        0:26:45       Julie Wolf              31       Hoboken, NJ
  3.        0:31:59       Jennifer Olaru       45       Dorset, VT

Male

  1.        0:23:38       Andrew Grannell       69       Annapolis, MD
  2.        0:27:01       Andre Cote                55       Lévis, QC
  3.        0:27:17       Matthew Marcy         48       Bluemont, VA

,

USMS 10-mile Open Water National Championship Recap

,

Contributed by Charlotte Brynn, NE-LMSC Open Water Chair

Results      Photos              

LAKE MEMPHREMAGOG, NEWPORT, VERMONT - Excellent conditions, top times, and tight finishes sums up a great day of racing in Newport, Vermont on July 30. To follow are the USMS Open Water Championship results in full, as well as New England highlights.

The start of the 2016 USMS Open Water 10-mile National Championship

The start of the 2016 USMS Open Water 10-mile National Championship

USMS OWN Ultra Marathon - 10 Mile

Overall Male

  1. 4:10:03                     James Biles                          55                    Cedarburg, WI
  2. 4:10:40                     Stephen Rouch                    36                    Indianapolis, IN 
  3. 4:22:32                     Guy Davis                           57                    North Hampton, NH

 

New England Age Group Highlights - Male

In the 35 - 39 age group, Anuj Sampat of Waltham, MA, grabbed third in 6:22:02.

Christopher Graefe of Jamaica Plain, MA won the 40-44 age group with a time of 4:24:14, narrowly missing the overall podium. He was followed by Willy Blumentals of Sudbury, MA, in 6:46:35.

In the 45-49 age group, John Langton of Lynnfield, MA placed second, in a time of 4:52.01. Talbot Crowell from Lexington, MA was fifth in 6:15:22.

New Englander Elaine Howley provides kayak support during the 10 mile race

New Englander Elaine Howley provides kayak support during the 10 mile race

The 55-59 age group was the most competitive division, with James Biles winning the National Championship in a time of 4:10.03. He was also the overall 10 mile event winner. Hot on his heels was Guy Davis of Great Bay Masters, from North Hampton, NH, throwing down a strong swim to take second place in a time of 4:22.32, and the 3rd fastest time on the 10 mile course. Frederick Hirsch of Hull, MA, and Gregory Gomez of Newtonville, MA, finished 5th and 6th, respectively.

A strong New England presence was felt in the 60-64 age group, with Westley Richards of Windham, MA taking 2nd place in a time of 5:35.72, and Brian Mc Laughlin of Nashua, NH taking 3rd place in a time of 5:38.13. Brian is also a leading Go The Distance Swimmer.

Overall Female

  1. 4:25:32                     Laurie Hug                                 51                     Ambler, PA
  2. 4:26:17                     Nancy Steadman Martin             62                     Oceanport, NJ
  3. 4:29:08                     Shirley Loftus-Charley                64                     Afton, VA

 

New England Age Group Highlights - Female

Jenny Wolf of Concord, MA was third in the 30-34 age group, finishing in 5:16:50.

In the 35-39 age group, Mina Elnaccash of Somerville, MA was sixth in 7:01:33.

In the 45-49 year age group, Theresa Peck of Plymouth, NH placed third in a time of 5:57.48.

In the 50-54 year age group, Martha Wood of Manchester, NH, finished second in a time of 4:45.11, and Sheryl Scott of Pelham, MA took third in a time of 5:23.32.

Congratulations to all swimmers who competed in the 2016 10+ mile OWN. It was terrific to see so many NE-LMSC swimmers challenge themselves to this National Open Water event.

,

Jenny Thompson Meet Results

,

Contributed by Guy Davis, NE-LMSC Vice-Chair

Great Bay Masters hosted another successful summer LCM meet on July 17 at Dover's Jenny Thompson pool. The meet is popular with swimmers looking to achieve LCM top 10 times and to prepare for the LCM Nationals. 64 swimmers from 7 clubs participated.

Meet Director Crystie McGrail hard at work running an excellent meet

,

MBCC Against the Tide Hopkinton Recap & Cape Cod Precap

,

Contributed by Ruth Anam

This past Saturday, June 18, marked the 24th anniversary for Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s (MBCC) Statewide Annual Against the Tide Swim, Kayak, Walk, Run, and/or Aquathon fundraising event at the beautiful DCR’s Hopkinton State Park. Hundreds of participants, including dozens of swimmers, joined the effort to raise over $86,000 (and still counting) towards MBCC’s unique goal of breast cancer prevention. Awards and prizes were handed out throughout the morning to the top fundraisers and fastest competitive athletes. 

If you were unable to take part in the event festivities this time, MBCC will be holding another morning-only, family-friendly Against the Tide event on the Cape. The 17th Statewide Annual Swim, Kayak, Walk, Run, and/or Aquathon event will take place on Saturday, August 20 at DCR’s Nickerson State Park (Flax Pond in Brewster, MA). Participants will enjoy swimming in the pristine waters at Flax Pond and can take pride in participating in one of the America's Top 50 Open Water Swims. Against the Tide consists of the following swim components: a 1-mile competitive swim beginning at 8:30 AM and a 1-mile recreational swim beginning at 9:45 AM. There is also an Aquathon option starting at 8:30 AM for individuals to take part in the competitive swim and dash straight into the USATF-certified 5K or 10K run. There will be an Aquathon Transition Tent to hold participants’ belongings. 

There really is no reason to miss out on the August 20th Against the Tide event: registration is $40 per event activity for adults and $25 per event activity for students, with all proceeds going towards MBCC’s unique prevention work. Bring a friend, family member, or a colleague! All walk-in registrations are welcome after online registration closes at noon on Friday, August 19. Additionally, the MBCC is in need of angel swimmers for the August 20 event. Please contact Ruth Anam if you are interested in this volunteer role. To register for Against the Tide and for more information, please visit www.mbcc.org/swim and/or call 1-800-649-6222.

 
,

Eighth Annual Charles River One Mile Swim Recap

,

Contributed by Kate Radville, Race Director

Competitors at the start of the Eighth Annual Charles River One Mile Swim

On June 11th, 2016, the Charles River Swimming Club hosted its Eighth One Mile Swim in the Charles River Basin. The race, which took place on a single loop course between the Massachusetts Avenue and Longfellow bridges, was the largest in the club’s ten-year history.

This year's race drew a record number of swimmers to the river. The introduction of electronic, chip timing allowed for real-time results and an expanded field of 144 athletes. Conditions, including bright sun and flat water, were ideal for an open water competition. For the second year in a row, the top finisher was a woman. Alana Aubin (26) of Watertown, Massachusetts narrowly edged out Frank Wuest (56), of Boston, Massachusetts to earn her victory. Overall and age group winners earned gift certificates for a day of canoeing, kayaking, or stand up paddle boarding with Charles River Canoe and Kayak, one of the club’s generous sponsors, as well as "I Swam the Charles" pint glasses. 

The Charles River Swimming Club is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2005 with the dual purpose of organizing competitive swimming events in the river and facilitating the return of public river swimming. After a long history of pollution, the Charles has benefited tremendously from the Clean Charles River Initiative, which began in 1995. It is now clean enough for swimming on most summer days, and the annual swim race is organized in part to raise awareness of this fact. 

Overall winner Alana Aubin receives her prizes from race director Kate Radville

Overall winner Alana Aubin receives her prizes from race director Kate Radville

If you are interested in getting involved with the club as a volunteer or participating in upcoming events, please visit the club’s website at www.charlesriverswimmingclub.org. The club is run strictly by volunteers and would like to extend its gratitude to the swimmers and volunteers who made this year’s event such a huge success.

,

Karlyn Pipes Clinics Huge Success!

,

Contributed by Crystie McGrail, NELMSC Coaches Chair

Throw out everything you ever knew about swimming. That is what I did Saturday, during a long and exceptional day of learning at the hands of Karlyn Pipes of Aquatic Edge.

Karlyn is an extremely versatile swimmer, having set over 200+ Masters World records, including at least one in each stroke. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2015. Add that to running her own company of presenting swim technique clinics all over the world, and you've got one impressive resume!

We were fortunate that Karlyn was able to make herself available for three separate modules in just ONE day:

  1. Coaches Only Workshop - Karlyn shared two presentations, the first on how to promote self-awareness in swimmers and the second on reasons for power failure. 
  2. Faster Freestyle Swimming Clinic – Swimmers were introduced to techniques through Karlyn's Go Swim DVD on Freestyle and then moved to the pool. During this clinic participants from the coaches workshop were on deck to help facilitate and apply the principles they learned earlier. 
  3. Multi-stroke Swimming Clinic – During this clinic, the other three strokes were explored. Again swimmers were first introduced to concepts via Karlyn's Go Swim DVD on All Strokes and then moved to the water. 

The presentation of material was awe-inspiring in the number of A-HA moments, simple techniques, and easily implemented tips! I left feeling ready to change swimming lives for the better and with every tool I needed to do it!

I also want to acknowledge Karlyn's incredible spirit - this day included 9 hours of presenting and facilitating technique content! Karlyn presented with vibrancy and grace the entire time! Though you could buy her DVD's, I highly suggest that attending her clinic in person because it is an extraordinary learning opportunity! Or maybe if you are lucky you can visit her in Kona, Hawaii and get the full Aquatic Edge experience!

In true Masters fashion, we relocated to the hot tub!

In true Masters fashion, we relocated to the hot tub!

Links referenced at the clinic:

1 - swimming muscles engaged: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rQ8iEGd2jk

2 - Faster Freestyle with VASA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTQpF_mmg44 (there are actually 4 segments to this, if you look at the video list on the right they should appear)

Registration Open for Aquatic Edge Clinics with Karlyn Pipes

Registration is now open for the Karlyn Pipes stroke and freestyle clinics in Boston! Both clinics will be held at Simmons College on Saturday, May 14th and are scheduled back-to-back for any swimmers who would like to participate in both.

Karlyn is known worldwide as an accomplished swimmer and uses her technical expertise and high energy to deliver a fun and fast-paced clinic woven with personal experience. The drills and techniques are simple, fun, and most importantly, easy to apply! 

Karlyn is a 2015 ISHOF inductee, 2012 World Master Swimmer of the Year, and 2007 International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame inductee. She has broken over 200 FINA Masters world records and 332 U.S. Masters national records. 

Come meet fellow swimmers, enjoy the camaraderie of Masters swimming, and learn from one of the best!

Event details and registration information are below:

Aquatic Edge Faster Freestyle Clinic with Karlyn Pipes

Simmons College, Holmes Sports Center

Saturday, May 14, 2016 @ 12:00 PM

$95.00

Click to register 

Aquatic Edge Multi-Stroke Clinic (back, breast, and fly) with Karlyn Pipes

Simmons College, Holmes Sports Center

Saturday, May 14, 2016 @ 3:30 PM

$95.00

Click to register 

If you prefer to download and mail hard copy registration forms, click here for the Freestyle Clinic and here for the Stroke Clinic. 

Please contact Crystie McGrail with any questions.

,

5th Annual Monumental Masters Mini Meet Recap

,

Contributed by Mike Leake

Maurice Regan and Liz MacBride flew in from New Hampshire

Maurice Regan and Liz MacBride flew in from New Hampshire

On Saturday, April 9, 2016, Bennington's adult swimming team, Monument Masters, hosted the 5th Annual Monumental Masters Mini Meet, as 36 swimmers from eight teams from MA, NJ, NH, NY, and VT traveled to the Bennington Recreation Center. Two swimmers traveled from Concord, NH, in a Cessna airplane, and the the Pittsfield Polar Bears and Simon's Rock Pace Makers from Great Barrington arrived in large numbers to compete.

Warmups at Bennington Recreation Center

This meet welcomes athletes of all abilities for a morning full of fun swimming and encouragement with all proceeds benefiting the Bennington Marauders swim team, providing youth swimming for our community. For many the meet was their first experience with competition, and all participants were eligible for US Masters Swimming caps and stickers as well as sweet treats of stroopwafels from Bakkerij Krijnen and maple syrup from Cluett Farm. 

Heat two of the 100-yard freestyle

Heat two of the 100-yard freestyle

Swimming for the first time with Monument Masters were Matt Moon, Carol Newell and MG Nightingale. Gabrielle Betit-Mattison and Amanda Robson returned to action in the pool following previous splashes at the meet. Siblings Jeff, Jill and Mike Leake along with Kevin Murphy and Greg Sellei continued their streak of swimming in each of the Monumental meets.

Monument Masters also fielded two relay teams in each of the relay events offered. We look forward to our sixth meet in April of 2017!

,

Casco Bay YMCA "Toughen Up Challenge" Results

,

Casco Bay YMCA and Maine Masters hosted the 9th Annual "Toughen Up Challenge" this past Sunday, February 21.

The challenge is a five-event competition to find the "toughest" masters swimmers. Participants race five times, then their times are age graded and added together. The swimmer with the lowest total time in each category take the title.

Meet Results

Winners 

Sprint Challenge

50 back, 50 fly, 50 free, 50 breast, 100 IM

Men: Michael Regan ('13, '16)

Women: Katrine Alcaide ('14, '16)

Distance Challenge

400 IM, 200 free, 200 breast, 200 back, 200 fly

Men: Mike Hurd ('15, '16)

Women: Anne Uecker ('13, '14, '16)

Women's Sprint Challenge winner Katrine Alcaide with 3rd place finisher (and 5-time champ) Mary Estabrook

Women's Sprint Challenge winner Katrine Alcaide with 3rd place finisher (and 5-time champ) Mary Estabrook

Women's Distance Challenge winner Anne Uecker

Women's Distance Challenge winner Anne Uecker

Thank you to Crystie McGrail for submitting the photos!

Men's Sprint Challenge winner Michael Regan

Men's Sprint Challenge winner Michael Regan

Men's Distance Challenge winner Mike Hurd

Men's Distance Challenge winner Mike Hurd