Here's to having some Spring in your stroke. And if you're planning on swimming in any championship meets, we hope you're enjoying your taper.

 

Are you a triathlete? We've created a new triathlon page at usms.org for you. Read on for more great content for all types of swimmers. 

  

by Bill Walsh

I'm approaching 7000 miles swum while registered with USMS. I'll soon enter my 100th organized competition during that period. I (barely) qualified for an event at the 2006 FINA Masters World Championships, and managed an official swim during the competition.

 

But I've never met a time standard for the USMS National Championships; I've never broken a single one of my National Qualifying Times (NQTs). Not in more than 20 years of training and competition. Not once. Read more... 

by Coach Emmett Hines

For many swimmers, the part of their swimming technique most flawed is everything done while trying to snag that next gulp of air and then recovering from the experience over the next stroke, or two, or three. Yet, because this is repeated thousands of times each workout, the struggle for air and the attendant loss of performance-head-lift, hip-drop, neck craning, pushing down on the water instead of making a proper catch, etc.-eventually begin to seem normal to the neuromuscular system and soon become habit. Read more...

Nearly 20 percent of USMS members identify themselves as triathletes or as having an interest in triathlon. Many have joined USMS seeking assistance from Masters coaches and teams in an effort to improve their swimming technique and endurance. But don't take our word for it; here's how Olympic triathlete and USMS member Jarrod Shoemaker of Minuteman Masters feels about U.S. Masters Swimming.

Olympic Triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker and U.S. Masters Swimming

2012 Marriott USMS Summer Nationals

Online entry is available for the 2012 Marriott USMS Summer National Championships. This unique championship will be held in the same pool as the USA Swimming Olympic Trials Omaha, Neb. All the pageantry from the Olympic Trials will be in place for these Nationals. The competition pool is a Myrtha pool with ten 9-foot wide lanes. The warm-up pool has eight 50-meter lanes and an additional six 25-meter lanes. Visit our USMS Facebook page contest for a chance to win a 4 nights hotel stay in Omaha for these nationals. The energy for our Nationals will be electric. This is guaranteed to be the one Nationals you will not want to miss! Read more...

2012 Marriott USMS Summer Nationals July 5-8

SWIMMER magazine is honored to be part of the 2012 American Society of Magazine Editors "Best Cover Contest." Voting started Sunday, April 1. We have two covers entered in the fitness and health division. Please vote for the one you like the best at amazon.com/bestcoversvote! The winners will be announced at the ASME Annual Meeting on May 2.

The Swimming Saves Lives Foundation is the charitable arm of USMS. Grant opportunities are available for programs that will encourage more adults to swim. To learn more and apply for a grant, visit www.usms.org/giving/

Sara McLarty is an elite-level athlete in swimming, open water and multisport and has medaled at the world championships in all three sports. She attributes her success to working with knowledgeable and creative coaches at Daytona Beach Swimming and the University of Florida. A true professional, Sara understands the rigors of multisport training and the special needs of athletes training in all three disciplines. Her USMS online workouts will showcase her philosophy of providing creative and challenging activities for triathletes and swimmers of all ability levels. Go to workouts...

by the Professionals at Nike Swim

One of the most visible changes in the history of swimming is the swimsuit itself. From the first Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece, 1896, where only male swimmers participated (in a body suit that resembled a short-sleeved shirt and shorts in one), to the upcoming 2012 games this year in London, England, where swimmers will be suited in the latest, advanced textile suits. Read more...

2011 Long Distance Championships Results

Hundreds of USMS members participated in the 2011 Long Distance Championships. This includes open water and postal pool events. Results from these events are now online, including the 2011 All-Americans and All-Stars. Congratulations to everyone who participated, we look forward to seeing you in the results again this year.

Entries are available online for the 2012 Long Distance Championships.

Important Breaststroke Rule Update

The USMS Rules Committee asks that you read the following urgent notice of a change in the interpretation of Article 101.2.3 (Breaststroke).  This notice can be found on the Rule Book page on usms.org, under the "Articles and Publications" tab, or at the following direct link.

Questions should be directed to Kathy Casey, Chair USMS Rules Committee.

Did you know that Pacific Masters is organized with over 100 clubs in Northern California and Nevada, with membership numbers over 10,000! Keeping them all informed is the website of the month

                 
To be considered for RCWOM, please make sure that your team's website includes the current USMS logo and Join/Renew membership button. You may submit your team name and web address to the USMS for consideration at press@usms.org  

"Does your coach give some inspirational, funny or motivating sayings during practice? What are they?" See what they said.

Become a Fan! We are 18,000+ fans strong at the official USMS Facebook Fan Page. Join the party and suggest our page to all of your friends.

Missouri Valley Masters Swimming

The very spirited team MOVY Masters come together for a photo during the annual KC Blazers All-Relay Meet, which has a great history (and great tie-dye shirts!)