Mark your calendars and plan to attend these great pool championship events!


2011 Spring Nationals:
April 28 - May 1, 2011
Kino Aquatic Complex, Mesa, Ariz.



2011 Summer Nationals:
August 3 - 6, 2011
Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.




2012 Spring Nationals:
April 26 - 29, 2012
The four-day competition will take place in the brand new Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C.



2012 Summer Nationals:
July 5 - 8, 2012
The USMS Summer Nationals will follow the USA Swimming Olympic Trials that are scheduled for June 25 through July 2, 2012 in Omaha, Neb. Our meet will be contested in the same competition pool-- this is an opportunity to swim in an amazing facility and experience Olympic Trials.  (Photo Courtesy of Dan Johnson)

By Steven R. Erickson, Pharm.D. University of Michigan

People who exercise regularly tend to have a lower likelihood ofdeveloping some types of chronic illnesses. However, many people who exercise regularly still develop illnesses for many reasons. The overall burden of illness may have some effect on a person's amount or intensity of exercise they are able to do. Medications are available to treat many illnesses, some which enhance our ability to exercise, while others may impair our ability. You are invited to participate in a survey research project to determine the type of chronic illnesses people who swim regularly have and how doctors treat those illnesses. Simply click on the link provided and you will be sent to the online survey.

USMS Convention Update

To find out who was elected and who was honored at this year's USAS Convention, view our Convention Results page.

USMS Convention Update

The burning question on the suits in open water was answered when the HOD voted to follow new regulations regarding swimsuits for open water competitions, effective January 1, 2011.

There are now two categories for open water swimwear: Category I is required for all Open Water National Championships and shall be scored separately from Category II, whether in a National Championship event or not.

Category I swimwear shall be made from textile materials. For men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel or below the knee.  For women, the swimsuit shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend below the knees. There are no "fastener" specifications. Everything else, such as wetsuits, rash guards, arm warmers, arm bands, etc., is considered to be included in Category II.

The 4th UANA Pan American Masters Championships will be held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, November 10-15, 2011. This will be the first championship in which all of the aquatic disciplines will compete. (swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming, diving and open water). Basic information about the meet is available now. Hotel and event format information will be available shortly. We are expecting 25 countries from the Americas to attend the championships. Start making plans!
 
Coaches and Registrars if you are interested in hosting future UANA Pan American Championships, the UANA Masters Technical Committee is accepting bids for the 2013 Championships. Deadline for receipt of bids is July 15, 2011. For more information, contact Mel Goldstein, Chair, UANA Masters Technical Committee.

by the Professionals at Fitness Nutrition

The essential amino acids (EAA) are those specific amino acids that you need to consume in your diet because your body doesn't naturally make them. If you slept through your college chemistry class, remember that amino acids are the building blocks of protein. So for any given protein that you consume, whether it is beef, chicken, eggs or beans, the amount of each specific amino acid differs. Most plant sources of protein for example do NOT have enough of the essential amino acids; that's why they are incomplete proteins. And that's why most athletes are carnivores. We love our meat because they are full of the EAA or essential amino acids. [Read more]

USMS Editor-in-Chief Laura Hamel, Membership Coordinator Anna Lea Matysek and other USMS swimmers test out the latest in swim fin technology for SWIMMER.

 

Meet Tuolumne County Aquatic Masters (TCAM). Head coach Patti Scott-Baier was recognized in 2010 with a Kerry O'Brien Coaching Award. The Kerry O'Brien Coaching Award recognizes coaches who are building USMS membership in communities throughout our country. TCAM, a program with 470-registered USMS members, is located in Sonora, California, a town of 5,000. Find out how coach Patti and her team have become such a success.

 

The South Shore Sails Masters swim team in League City, Texas celebrate their one-year anniversary!



From left to right: Karen Crenshaw, Coach Kyle Sanders, Matt
Chauvin, Bradley Pigage, Pam Falk, Cathy Modaro, Jim Yarzy, Melanie Yarzy.