USMS is once again offering sponsor discounts for those members who register from November 1 through December 31. Once a member registers they will receive coupon codes via email from the following sponsors.

blueseventy: 20%
Finis: 20%* 
TYR: 20%
SBR/Triswim: 30%
SwimOutlet.com: 10%**
Hammer Nutrition: $5 off total purchase***
Speedo: 20%****
Aqua Sphere: 20%
Active.com: 40% off of Active.com Advantage annual membership*****

by Laura S. Jones, Staff Writer
 

When you think of the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation, what do you think? If you are like many people, you may think of the lifesaving aspect of swimming in terms of drowning prevention. While teaching people to swim safely is a big part of SSL, another way swimming saves lives is by preventing, and in some cases reversing, chronic ailments like heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

 

To that end, the USMS SSL Foundation is currently supporting a University of Michigan research project on the effects of swimming on chronic illnesses and on how doctors treat those illnesses. The project is also studying the types of self treatment and exercise-enhancing supplements used by people who swim regularly.

Read more...

by Lisa Hiller

If you've tried every trick in the book to help your body stay level and balanced while swimming and your legs STILL sink to the bottom of the pool, your coach may affectionately refer to you as a "sinker." Stretching and lengthening your hip flexors can help you go from being a sinker to a balanced swimmer. A simple stretch may be all you need. Read more...

by the Professionals at Hammer Nutrition

Sarasota to Host 2013 Pan American Masters Championship

By Luca De Matteis

The breaststroke pullout consists of three phases: the glide phase, the pull-down phase, and the recovery/kick phase. Properly executed, the phases of the pullout are combined to produce maximum efficiency and speed. The long pullout has been the traditional way to begin each length. However, it is not the only form of pullout. Read more... 

USMS Club and Coach Services Director Job Opening

The Club and Coach Services Director position is the business unit leader for USMS Club and Coach Services. This position is full time and located in the USMS national office in Sarasota, Fla. The overall responsibilities of this position will be to provide leadership to the USMS Club and Coach Services division by collaborating with the executive director, other USMS business unit leaders, and the USMS Coaches Committee to develop short-term and long-term strategies that align with the U.S. Masters Swimming business plan. Candidates may confidentially submit their applications online.

USA Swimming has made available four (4) day tickets for the 2012 Olympic Trials. To purchase tickets, view here. Don't forget, the USMS Summer Nationals will be in the same pool following the Olympic Trials. Reserve your hotel for the 2012 USMS Summer Nationals today. Once the Olympic Trials and USMS Summer Nationals conclude, your team can actually own the Olympic Trials warm up pool. For more information, call Myrtha Pools at 941-955-2591.

by Angela Tate, PT, PhD & Shana Harrington, PT, PhD       
 

For this month's Really Cool Website, goes to the Connecticut Masters as they keep their membership entertained and informed.
 
                     

"Do you have a favorite swimming quote or motivational phrase that gets you through the workout?" Check out what they said!

Become a Fan! We have over 15,000 fans at the official USMS Facebook Fan Page! Join the party and suggest our page to all of your friends.

We've Got Spirit!

by Jerri Clark 

High-spirited swimmers are haunting a pool in Camas, Wash. A total of 15 women from the Southwest Washington Master's Swimming, a chapter of Oregon Masters, bought witch- and pumpkin-decorated Halloween "Uglies" in a spooktacular show of solidarity for their team and for UNICEF, which received $3 for each of the $30 suits.

The UNICEF fundraiser was a first for Portland, Ore., swim shop owner Curtis Taylor, who says SWMS bought more Halloween Uglies, designed by Dolphin, than any other group. His store, JD Pence Aquatic Supply, has sold almost all 50 suits Taylor ordered for the season and will donate about $150 to UNICEF, the United Nations program for impoverished children. "My kids used to always trick-or-treat for UNICEF through their school," says Taylor. "They don't do that anymore, so we're finding another way to give to UNICEF."

Among the pumpkin-splashers at LaCamas Swim and Sport was club owner Denise Croucher, who often has joked that she chases any swimmer in pink. "I want to be the fastest woman in the water," says Croucher, a 3-time Ironman finisher. In her pink and orange "Punkin" suit, she's had fun circle swimming with "twin" teammates and others in their black-and-purple "Glinda" suits.

Croucher and the club's head swim coach, Justin Slade, joined 14 other swimmers on deck for a photo in early October, adding capes, pointy hats and other festive accoutrements for full fall effect. Angela Fadlovich, the swimmer who ordered the suits en masse, says the team's theme was a perfect fit. "With all the wicked workouts Coach Justin gives us," she says, "we thought it was only appropriate we dress for the occasion." 

Starting in back row from left-right: 

Kealey Sitler, Sheri Bender, Bill Klein, Angela Fadlovich

Next row: Dave Ashmore, Justin Slade, Melinda

Next row: Jerri Clark, Anita Burkard, Ami Brimhall, Denise Croucher, Carolyn Nigro

Front row: Nancy Vincent, Serena Johnson, Dianne Thomsen,  

Christie Seumalo