April is Adult Learn to Swim Month!

The Governors of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont have all issued proclamations of "April as Adult Learn to Swim Month." We in the NELMSC are ready to celebrate!
Fifteen masters teams, representing all five states in our LMSC, are running Swimming Saves Lives programs and offering free swim lessons to adults in their local communities. A huge shoutout to these program directors, and all of the masters swimmers on these teams, who are donating their time as swim instructors this month: 

Maine
Maine Masters: Tim Lecrone, Alford Youth Center, Waterville
Penobscot Bay Masters: Susan Rardin, Penobscot Bay Y, Rockport

Massachusetts
Cambridge Masters Swim Club: Sue Jensen, Harvard University/Blodgett, Cambridge
Martha's Vineyard Masters: Elizabeth Lytle, YMCA of Martha's Vineyard, Vineyard Haven
Simon's Rock PaceMakers: Bill Meier, Simon's Rock @ Bard College, Great Barrington
Pittsfield Polar Bear Masters: Georgette Keator, Pittsfield Family YMCA, Pittsfield
Worcester Area Masters: CJ Dickson, Central YMCA, Worcester
YMCA of Greater Boston: KerriAnn Foley, Boston

New Hampshire
Granite State Penguins: Karin Stokes, Londonderry & Salem Workout Clubs, Londonderry & Salem

Rhode Island
MWR Lobster Swim Club: Denise Vieira & Mike Garr, Chafee Fitness Center, Naval Station, Newport
SwimRI: Paul Dow & Doug Sayles, Newport Athletic Club, Newport

Vermont
Burlington Area Sink or Swim: Kim Fry, The Edge, Williston
Johnson State Masters & Norwich University Masters: Cara Hancy, Johnson State College, Johnson
UV Rays: Catherine Pearson, Upper Valley Aquatic Center, White River Junction
Stowe Masters: Charlotte Brynn, The Swimming Hole, Stowe

FREE ADULT SWIM LESSONS!

Research shows that adults aspire to swim more than any other fitness activity. Yet according to the Centers for Disease Control, 37% of American adults cannot swim the length of a pool. It's not too late! If you know anyone who never learned how to swim, is afraid of the water and/or needs to improve their strokes or breathing technique, contact any one of the masters teams above or email swimmingsaveslives@gmail.com to schedule free swim lessons.

GIVING BACK

The Swimming Saves Lives program provides the perfect opportunity for masters swimmers to give back
to the sport they love by sharing their expertise and passion with beginning swimmers. If you'd like to volunteer to be a swim instructor this year or next, send an email to swimmingsaveslives@gmail.com. Training tools (a 10-page training manual and accompanying video) are provided.

INTERESTED FOR 2016?

Would your masters team like to run a Swimming Saves Lives program in 2016? Please contact Sue Jensen, the New England SSL program coordinator, at swimmingsaveslives@gmail.com to receive SSL Program Overview that will provide all the details for getting a program up and running. Grant money received from the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation to our LMSC will cover all your lane space rental and lifeguard salary expenses.

Coaches Workshop Scheduled for March 28th

NE-LMSC Coaches Chair, Crystie McGrail, has a fantastic coaches workshop lined up focused on open water swimming. 

Three local open water experts - Jennifer Dutton, Elaine Howley and Greg O'Connor - will discuss best practices and theories/ techniques for training in the pool for open water, training in open water and open water safety.

There will also be plenty of time for interactive conversation and questions for the panelists.

Date: March 28, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (lunch included)
Worcester, MA - specific location details to come

We will limit the workshop to the first 30 coaches who register. For presenter bios and registration, visit the Coaches section of the website.

NE LMSC Swimmers Compete at US Winter Swimming Championships

NE-LMSC swimmers Helen Lin, Elaine Howley, Paula Yankauskas and Rich Born recently competed in the Inaugural U.S. Winter Swimming Championships. Swimming in a "pool" carved into the frozen Lake Memphremagog in Newport, Vermont, competitors raced in the 25 breaststroke and the 25, 50 and 100-meter freestyle. Way to go ice swimmers!!

CMSC's "Miles for Marly" Raises $2,000!

Cambridge Masters Swim Club hosted its 4th annual 100x100s "Miles for Marly" on January 4th. Miles for Marly rasies money for the Marly Pineda Scholarship Fund at Smith College in honor and memory of our friend and coach Marly Pineda. 

This year's event attracted 108 swimmers and raised $2,000 for a cause close to our hearts. Many thanks to CMSC Head Coach Abe Rogers for coordinating this event, Rick Osterberg for setting up the scoreboard counting system and all of the volunteers. 

Until next year! 

NELMSC Celebrates Four Newly Frozen "Ice Milers"!

On December 14th, four NE-LMSC swimmers - NEM President Helen Lin, Kellie Joyce, Rena Demeo and Paula Yankauskas - became official Ice Milers when they completed one mile of outdoor open water swimming wearing only a swimsuit, cap and goggles in water under 41 degrees. Swimmers were not allowed to touch any other person or escort kayak and could not stand until the swim was complete.

The MA Open Water Association organized the event at the L Street Bath house in S. Boston, supplying EMTs and escorts for the four ladies. Helen, Kellie, Rena and Paula swam eight lengths of the beach between two fences, equaling about 1,800 meters. The water that day was 40 degrees; the air, 41 degrees.

Congratulations to all four ladies for doing something few of us can imagine, but all of us respect and celebrate!

Breaststroke Rule Change - Effective Immediately

There is an immediate rule change in the breaststroke:  

“101.2.3 Kick — After the start and after each turn, at any time prior to the first breaststroke kick, a single butterfly (dolphin) kick is permitted, following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.  The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. Scissors, alternating movements, or downward butterfly (dolphin) kicks are not permitted except as provided herein. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly (dolphin) kick.” 

Click on the photo to the right for a fuller description. If anyone has questions or wishes to discuss this or other USMS rules, contact Officials Chair Bill Ewan at Bill.Ewan.W1VH@gmail.com.

Another Fantastic NE SCM Championships at BU!

Results

Congrats to everyone who swam at this weekend’s New England SCM Championships hosted at the Boston University pool. As usual, there was a large turnout of swimmers from all across New England.

Cambridge Masters Swim Club took top honors with 4,299 points; Great Bay Masters was second with 3,105 and Worcester Area Masters was third with 2,651. 

David Russel of CMSC took home swimmer of the meet honors.

The weekend saw numerous New England records fall, and three Masters Age Group World Records!
Men 25-29 100-meter back set by David Russell from CMSC (53.88).
Women 100-119 400-meter free relay set by NEM-BUMS (4:04.38)
Men 50-54 50-meter back set by Frit Bedford of the UV Rays. Frit lowered his own world record from 2013 to 27.28.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who worked so hard to plan and run another spectacular meet! Special shout-outs to the BU Fit Rec Center staff; Doug Sayles, NEM Registrar; the officials, led by Bob and Priscilla; Simmons Swim & Crew for the back-up timing; Joe Fraier from Swimwear in Motion; Bart, Jacqui and other Great Bay Masters volunteers for running the concessions and finally the NE-LMSC and NEM for the support.

Happy Holidays to all! 

NE-LMSC Chair Bill Meier Wins Prestigious USMS Donnelly Service Award!

PRESS RELEASE

Prepared by Rich Burns
Swimmer Gives Back – and Gets Recognized!

United States Masters Swimming (USMS) is a membership-operated nonprofit organization of
over 60,000 swimmers from across the country. USMS’s mission is to encourage adults to swim.
From beginners who enjoy the camaraderie of fellow swimmers to those who like the challenge of competition there’s a place for everyone.

Masters Swimmers don’t just confine their participation to the pool. There are many volunteer
opportunities for the talent, expertise and generosity of its members. USMS recognizes the
commitment of those who give back with the Dorothy Donnelly Service Award, honoring one of
USMS's outstanding volunteers. The award recognizes those whose contributions stand out in
service to local, regional, and national programs. Up to 15 people are selected each year with
nominations coming from LMSCs, clubs, and individuals.

Bill Meier is an early crusader for the adult Learn-To-Swim programs promoted by USMS’s
Swimming Saves Lives Foundation.

Based on the success of Bill's program over the last two years at the Bard College PaceMaker
Swim Club, he received a $5,000 grant from the Foundation to develop and support adult swim
lessons throughout New England. He created New England’s "April is Adult Learn-to-Swim
Month" campaign. Under Bill's leadership, eight New England Masters teams will be conducting
Swimming Saves Lives programs during the year, using Masters Swimming volunteers to teach
over 400 people how to swim.

The Swimming Saves Lives Foundation has officially adopted Bill’s "April is Adult Learn-to-Swim
Month" concept as a national campaign. At Bill's urging, the governors of Massachusetts, Maine,
New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont have proclaimed April as "Adult Learn-to-Swim
month." Bill’s dreams and vision have greatly expanded awareness of U.S. Masters Swimming’s
program for the lifesaving benefits of swimming for adults.