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

recaps

,

39th Annual Celebrate the Clean Harbor Swim Draws Swimmers from Near and Far

,

Contributed by Guy Davis, GBM, NE LMSC Vice-Chair

NE LMSC Treasurer and ANA swimmer Al Prescott

Charles River Masters swimmers David Bentley and Andrea Sonan

GLOUCESTER, MA -- Now in its 39th year, the New England Open Water Swimming Association's ever popular Celebrate the Clean Harbor Swim was held on August 19th. The swim follows a 1.2 mile rectangular course out and back from Niles Beach, a sheltered cove on the north side of Gloucester Harbor. The event now includes a 500m youth swim, an introduction for 8-12 year old swimmers to the fun and challenge of open water racing. Although more overcast than the usual perfect summer sunshine that this event typically enjoys, the conditions were perfect for racing with comfortable water temperatures and very little breeze or chop. North Shore and Boston area swimmers dominated the nearly 90 entries, including longtime former race director Richie Martin in the largest and most competitive division of Men 60-69 years. There were also participants from all over New England and from as far afield as Illinois. 

This year's non-wetsuit overall winners were Kaitlin Pratt (Wakefield, MA) and Graham Lott (Gloucester, MA). Wetsuit overall winners were Hannah Perkins (Beverly, MA) and, for the third consecutive year, Ethan Saulnier (Salem, MA). Kaitlin and Hannah are both 13 years old, and Hannah is a former winner of the youth swim. Overall winners received Megalodon teeth and division winners received shark teeth as prizes. Many thanks to race director Dave Swensen and his team, volunteers, and sponsors for the professional management, a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, competitive racing and the coolest prizes.

,

Maine Swimmers Dominate at Nubble Light Challenge Revival

,

Results     Photos

Contributed by Guy Davis, GBM & NE LMSC Vice-Chair

YORK, ME -- Southern Maine's popular Nubble Light Challenge open water race made its triumphant return on August 12 after a three year hiatus. The picturesque two and a half mile course takes swimmers from York's Long Sands beach around the rocky Cape Neddick headland, through “the Gut” - the narrow passage of water that separates Nubble Island from the mainland, and on to finish at Short Sands beach. Weather conditions were very favorable, with water temperatures in the low 60s, light winds, and a moderate swell. Nevertheless, the swim's long stretches of open ocean and unpredictable tidal currents around the headland most certainly warrant the race's moniker. The warmly cheering crowds on the rocks overlooking the Gut and at the finish provided great encouragement to the swimmers.

Maine Masters swimmers dominated this year's event with wetsuit winners Cheryl Daly and Justin Burkhardt and non-wetsuit winners Susan Knight and Simon Wignall. Congratulations to all who swam and completed the Nubble Light Challenge!

The race is a fundraiser for the great work of the Maine chapter of NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) whose programs enhance the lives of any one impacted by mental illness through support, education and advocacy.

Great Bay Masters swimmers at the Nubble Light Challenge

Big thank yous go to Bob Reed, Bob Fernald, and Jen Zorn for their great work reviving and organizing this terrific event and to the many wonderful volunteers and sponsors who contributed to the fantastic atmosphere and very enjoyable event.

Race website

Fundraising page

Race Facebook page

NAMI Maine website

Photos by Tracy Phillips Photography via Nubble Light Challenge Facebook page

,

MAMA Swimmers Lead the Way at the Mighty Merrimack Swim

,

Contributed by Al Prescott (MAMA), NE LMSC Treasurer

LOWELL, MA -- The Minuteman Masters turned out in force to support the Mighty Merrimack 1- and 2-mile Swim on August 6. Next year's race is scheduled for August 5, 2018.

Pictured left to right are:

"Big" Al Prescott, 1st overall non-wetsuit, 1 mile
Mark Devlin, 1st overall non-wetsuit, 2 mile
Kathy McGovern, 1st overall female, 2 mile
Denise Veenstra, 1st place age group, 2 mile
Maria Beconi, 1st place age group, 2 mile

merrimack17.jpg

Pat McDermot Swims Across Lake George

Contributed by Stacy Sweetser, GSP

PatStart.jpeg

LAKE GEORGE, NY -- Pat McDermot (GSP) has been swimming for six years, the last two of which have included long distance open water swims. He recently completed an official unassisted marathon swim in Lake George, NY. Pat's crew included his wife Lynn McDermot (kayak support for 20+ hours), his brother Jay McDermot (support boat captain), and additional crew of Sharon McDermot, Katie McDermot, Laura Foley, Sheryl Scott (GSP) and Karen Cole (GSP). Pat departed Diane's Rock on July 18 at 3:23 pm and swam against the wind during the day. Thankfully the wind relented during the night and Pat held his expected pace. The next morning, Pat battled headwinds to finish at the south end of Lake George around 4:15 pm on July 19. His total time was 24 hours and 50 minutes. Amazing!

PatSupportCrew.jpeg
,

Rogacki and Epstein Break Records at Jenny Thompson LCM Meet

,

Contributed by Dan Epstein, Charles River Masters

Front: Susan Rardin, Brittany Harrington, Emily Cook, Mike Hurd, Pieter deHart and Ted Clark; Back: Dale Syphers and Bill Jones, all part of the winning Maine Masters group.

DOVER, NH -- It was the middle of July in New England, and the sun was up early as close to a hundred swimmers gathered for the annual Summer Meet at the Jenny Thompson LCM Pool. There were no clouds in sight, and the water was blue, crystal clear, and cold--the kind of invigorating cold that makes you smile when you jump in, that makes you want to swim fast.

And we did. Eighty-eight masters swimmers splashed 271 times during a beautiful morning of great swimming and fun. In the end, it was Maine Masters who collected 1196 points for a first place team effort, edging out host Great Bay Masters, who garnered 1078 points. This year's installment of the annual sanctioned NE LMSC event was four fantastic hours of friends, family, and swimming. 

Sue Jensen, Jennifer Downing, Dan Epstein, Matt Wiens, and Fred Schlicher represented Charles River Masters

Individually, Dan Epstein of Charles River Masters set his first New England record by swimming a time of 36.74 in the 50-meter backstroke (men 65-69). Dan Rogacki of Pittsfield YMCA Polar Bear Masters began his assault on the men's 70-74 record books by competing in his first meet in that age group. Rogacki shattered records in the 50, 100 and 200-meter breaststroke events, with times of 39.67, 1:31.35, and 3.23.96 respectively.

There’s something about the 50-meter pool that can feel jarring, but also very honest: it just doesn’t seem to ever end. I, for one, left the meet wiser and with greater resolve for next year. I hope it’s sunny in July of 2018. And I hope you can join us there for a great event. 

,

Miles 4 Michelle Raises Over $3000

,

Contributed by Alyssa Farnsworth, Event Director

LANCASTER, MA -- The 4th Annual Miles 4 Michelle, hosted by Worcester Area Masters, was held at Fort Pond on July 22nd. We had a great turnout this year! Over 60 swimmers participated, supported by many volunteers, family, and friends. We asked that everyone bring a little breakfast item, so we had plenty of food and drinks for after.

Every year, Cathrine Thibault and her amazing staff from Compassion Massage Therapeutic Clinic in Leominster, MA are there to give the swimmers post-race massages. We also had many awesome raffle prizes, including a one hour massage from Compassion Massage and gift certificates from the Claw Shop in Leominster, Sneakerama in Worcester, and Slate Bar and Grill in Leominster, to name just a few!

wssc club sign.jpg

It was just an amazing day to bring everyone together -- those that knew Michelle and those that just know her story. I look forward to this event every year because I know Michelle is not forgotten and never will be. We were able to raise over $3,000 to go towards the Michelle Farnsworth Scholarship Fund. We hope to continue this event for years to come! Please keep an eye out for next year's date. 

m4m 2017.jpg
,

Swim With A Mission A Huge Success

,

Contributed by Stacy Sweetser, Sweetwater Swim Studio

BRISTOL, NH -- The inaugural Swim With A Mission (SWAM) took place Friday, July 14, 2017 in Newfound Lake at Wellington State Park. The 5K, 10K and 10-Mile Relay events fundraised for the Navy SEAL Museum, Veteran’s Count, and Bridge House Homeless Shelter and Veteran’s Advocacy organization. The event was well attended with over 100 swimmers, dozens of volunteers on land and water, and spectators galore.

Navy Seals lined the beach as twenty-eight 5K swimmers took to the crystal clear water of Newfound Lake at 7:00am. Ten minutes later, nineteen 10K swimmers followed. The sixteen relay teams (2-5 swimmers) had a staggered start at 7:20am for their 10-mile swimming journey around the lake.

Crowds of spectators filled the State Park for a post swim festival. Spectators were able to get up close and personal for the beach swim finish and watch various Navy SEAL demonstrations in air, on water, and on land with their K-9 squad. Veteran George Brunstad, a B-52 bomber pilot and renowned open water swimmer, attended as a special guest.

 

RESULTS

5K

Female

Taylor Hough, age 14 of Laconia, NH, took the women's title with a time of 1:24:57. Aubrey Patrick, age 15 of Bedford, NH finished 2nd and Sarah Barrett, age 22 of Goffstown, NH finished 3rd.

Male

Edmund Gendreau (GBM), age 55 of Rye NH, won with a time of 1:14:58. He received a special award for fastest 5K in honor of SCPO Daniel R. Healy, Navy SEAL. Bruce Mohl, age 71 of Bonita Springs, FL finished 2nd and Jeff Stuart, age 56 of Manchester, CT finished 3rd.

10K

Female

Vera Rivard, age 13 of Springfield, NH with a time of 2:42:32. Jana Slezak, age 52 of Rye, NH finished 2nd and Nelle Killourie, age 44 of North Conway, NH finished 3rd.

 

Male

Connor Robinson, age 19 of Wallingford, CT, placed first with a time of 2:08:36. He received a special award in honor of Jeremiah Fitzgibbon, world-class swimmer/triathlete, for fastest 10K. Geoffrey Michaud, age 52 of Manchester, CT finished 2nd and Maury Mckinney, age 56 of North Conway, NH finished 3rd.

10 Mile Relay

The winning relay team, Team SweetWater Swim Studio

Team SweetWater Swim Studio (SWS/GSP), which consisted of Stacy Sweetser, Randy Clark, Karin Biskovich, Johanna Lawrence, and Rebecca Hecox, took the team title with a time of 4:01:38. Team Connection placed 2nd and Team Tools placed 3rd.

SWAM website

 SWAM Facebook

Union Leader Article

,

NE-LMSC Members Take on Misery Challenge

,

Results      Photos

Contributed by Guy Davis (GBM), NE-LMSC Vice Chair

Ildiko Szekely (BUMS) was the top female in the Misery Challenge.

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, MA -- Over 100 hardy competitors, including many NE-LMSC members, completed this year's Misery Challenge swim on July 15. Misery Challenge is a 3-mile out-and-back swim between the Manchester-by-the-Sea yacht club and Misery Island. The sky was overcast and the water was cooler than in previous years, but the sea conditions were very calm, making for fast swimming. As with last year's race, swimmers had to navigate low tide conditions, completing the course with a 200-yard beach run.

This year's winners were Eric Nilsson (57:11) of Tech Masters (MIT) and Ildiko Szekely (1:00:15) of Boston University Masters (BUMS). Another notable performance was Sam Levinson's (Unattached) completion of the course swimming butterfly in 1:48:48. Levinson is training to take on the channel swims of the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming -- butterfly! Many thanks to race organizer Josh Crosby and his team, volunteers, and sponsors for another terrific event.

Mindy Williams (GSP) was third overall female and won her age group.

Martha Wood (Unattached) and Guy Davis (GBM) each won their age group.

,

Swim Across America Boston Harbor Raises Over $220,000 for Cancer Research

,

Results     Photos

 Contributed by Jessica Stokes, Charles River Masters

The 21st Annual Swim Across America Boston Harbor Swim was a big success! Spirits were high among the passengers on Timeless and Secret Love, despite the overcast sky. Team members were able to jump off their boats and complete three or four 15-minute swims in the Harbor. (Usually, swimmers swim four to six times, but there was a delay in the action this year due to fog.) Team members included seven Olympians: Carlton Brunner, Janel Jorgenson, Kristy Kowal, Alex Meyer, Heather Petri, Eric Vendt, and Eric Wunderlich. The Boston Harbor Swim and the Boston Pool Relay (which took place in April) raised a combined $325,000 for Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Perini Center and Mass General Hospital for Children's cancer research group.

,

Gary Isherwood Memorial Swim Meet Recap

,

Contributed by Tim Lecrone, NE-LMSC Registrar & Photos by Mike Hurd, MESC

BANGOR, ME -- With an amazing turnout out of 56 competitors, the first annual Gary Isherwood Memorial Swim Meet on June 24th was an incredible success. It was MESC's first ever summer mini meet to exceed 40 swimmers, and more excitingly, the majority of swimmers were first time masters meet participants. 

The high participation couldn't have been for a better cause, as proceeds from meet entries and t-shirt sales went to the Gary Isherwood Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund honors the late Gary Isherwood, longtime swim coach at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor. The meet raised about $2,000.

Swims were fast, smiles were huge, and next year's event promises to be even bigger. A huge thanks goes to the Bangor YMCA, the staff and volunteers of the Bangor Y Barracudas, and several meet enthusiasts from local high school teams.