Welcome back to another year of Masters' swimming; Pacific Masters is pleased you have renewed your membership. As you may know Pacific Masters, at the regional level, and USMS, at the national level, offer a wide variety of programs to support the interests of all adult swimmers. As you consider your plans for 2013, I encourage you to visit each organization's website (www.pacificmasters.org & www.usms.org) to get ideas on how to set, track and achieve your goals. From logging your practices to competing in your first meet to finding a pool when traveling to swim workouts for expectant mothers and much more, your Masters' organizations provide the tools to help you succeed.
Your registration record indicates you are an unattached swimmer (see below if this not correct). I encourage you to consider joining one of the many clubs affiliated with Pacific Masters Swimming. Whether you are a serious competitor, a novice fitness swimmer or somewhere in between, most teams have a program that will meet your needs. Our coaches can provide stroke instruction and design workouts that allow you to choose your effort level. One of the biggest benefits of being part of a club is the support and friendship you receive from other members. They provide encouragement when you are tired and can give you a challenge when you are not. I realize you may be hesitant about joining a club but I am confident you will find the coach and other swimmers to be welcoming and friendly. In no time at all you will be saying your lane mates are one of your favorite parts of swimming. Finally it is worth noting that, in many cases, the cost of swimming with a club is just pennies more than what you already are paying for lap swimming.
The PacMasters website has a list of clubs, their websites and contact information may be useful in finding a club to try. The Places to Swim page on the Pacific Masters website (www.pacificmasters.org) and the places to swim section (under the Local Programs tab) of the U.S. Masters Swimming website (www.usms.org) are other resources. Our Registrar, Nancy Ridout, can also provide recommendations on a club in your area. . She can be reached by email at registrar@pacificmasters.org or phone at (415) 225-0771.
If you are already a member of a club and would like to help us correct our records, please contact Nancy Ridout using the information provided above. Nancy can also help change your registration to a new club.
I realize that your schedule or location may make it difficult to join a club. Or you may not be able to find a program that is right for you. Please be aware that the USMS website provides workouts for all types of swimmers. Check them out under the Training tab on the USMS website (www.usms.org).
Just keep swimming,
Peter M. Guadagni
Chairman
Pacific Masters Swimming
