JUNE 2014

With summer nearly here, it's time to get wet. Where will you be swimming this summer?

Better Posture, Better Balance

Swimmers are seldom models of perfect posture. Countless hours spent swimming back and forth encourages slumped shoulders. In addition, swimmers are often believed to be clumsier than land-based athletes. But even for these seemingly systemic problems, there is a simple solution: Strength training.

 

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Finding the Right Fins

Look at any swimmer's equipment bag and chances are you will find a pair of fins. They are great for all kinds of uses from helping to isolate a part of your stroke to strengthening the core and the kick. But there are so many options for types of fins on the market today, the question becomes: Which fin is the best type? There is no easy answer here, and finding the right fins for you depends on a few factors, including how you plan to use them. 

 

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Registration for Summer Nats Now Open!

Registration is now open for the 2014 Marriott USMS Summer National Championship to be held Aug. 13 through 17 at the University of Maryland, College Park. The Eppley Natatorium is a 20-minute drive or Metro ride from Washington, D.C., and less than an hour from Annapolis and Baltimore and all the historic and fun places to see there. Don't miss out on a chance to visit our nation's capital and swim where Michael Phelps set a world record in 2003!

Register today and check out all the additional information on the Summer Nats page. There, you can find detailed information about accommodations, local attractions, transportation options, and the meet itself. Registrations must be received by July 9, so don't delay! We hope to see you in Maryland later this summer! 

Award Nominations July 1

Each year U.S. Masters Swimming recognizes the extraordinary efforts of our members beyond the water's edge. USMS's success is a result of the amazing contributions of our talented and dedicated volunteers. Help us identify initiative and performance by nominating people you know who fulfill the ideals of the following awards. The deadline for nominations is July 1; please review the submission instructions for each award and help recognize an amazing volunteer.

• Speedo/USMS Coach of the Year
• Dot Donnelly Service Award
• Kerry O'Brien Coaching Award
• Club of the Year Award
• June Krauser Communications Award
• Fitness Award
• Open Water Service Award

Congratulations to Hill Carrow

The Captain Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award is U.S. Masters Swimming's highest honor, given to the volunteer who does the most to further the objectives of Masters Swimming. This year, the award went to Hill Carrow of North Carolina Masters Swimming. Hill is a USMS Recognized Coach who also received the 2004 U.S. Masters Swimming National Championship Meets Award. Fellow volunteers probably know him best from the witty awards poems he presents at Convention every year. Congratulations, Hill, and thank you for your service!

Open Water Safety Webinar

The Open Water Committee is pleased to announce an Open Water Swimmer Safety webinar with Jim Wheeler on Sunday, June 22, 2014, 7 p.m. EDT. This is a 30- to 45-minute webinar providing an in-depth discussion of swimmer safety in open water activities based on the longer webinars presented in March and April. The call will feature a presentation plus a Q&A session with participants.

 

Additional information on upcoming educational opportunities will be published in STREAMLINES and the Convention packet. Register for the June webinar online by Thursday, June 19. Please direct all questions to the Open Water Committee.

Bidding Open for 2016 OW/LD Champs

Want to host an ePostal or open water National Championship long distance event in 2016? The bidding process is open to events that have run successfully for three years in a row before bidding. Hosting a national championship provides lots of national exposure, which can help your event grow substantially. Bidding information is available on the  Long Distance Championship page at usms.org. Bids are due July 15. Selection will be based on the overall suitability of the bid received, and in the case of open water, the committee will also be considering the area in which the event is to be held, safety, and the annual event schedule as a whole. For more information and detailed instructions, check out the Championship Bid Information page. Applications for both ePostal and open water events can be completed online. Apply today!

Questions About Worlds?

The USMS coaching staff will have limited resources to contact swimmers participating in the 2014 FINA World Masters Championships, to be held July 27 though Aug. 10 in Montréal, Québec.

 

Anyone with questions about the 2014 FINA World Championships may contact Head Coach Tim Waud directly.

 

The 2014 FINA World Championship Coaching Staff are:

• Tim Waud, Oregon City, Ore.
• Andrew LeVasseur, Denver, Colo.
• Jennifer Catucci-Crowther, Alexandria, Va.
• Dean Hawks, Carmel, Ind.

Summer is here, and for many of us, it means it's time to get new suits, caps, goggles, and bags to carry it all to and from the pool. Our partners offer everything you need for a great swim, from swimsuits and swim caps to swim bags, t-shirts, sweats, hats, and much more. Check out the items on our merchandise page and see all the useful ways you can show off your USMS affiliation!

This Aquatic Life

After a painfully long, cold, and snowy winter in many parts of the country, open water season is finally getting underway. Even in the northernmost regions of USMS, swimmers are gathering at their local swimming holes and racking up some distance. The Great Bay Masters in New Hampshire is no exception, posing here at their first race of the season in a picture tweeted out by Coach Crystie McGrail. Nice job, gang! #getwet

Seen on Our Facebook Page

About STREAMLINES

U.S. Masters Swimming encourages all USMS members to subscribe to STREAMLINES, a monthly publication. However, if you'd rather not receive this update, please do not click the "SafeUnsubscribe" link, as that will remove you from all other USMS National Office mailings. Rather, click on the "Update Profile/Email Address" link to manage your subscriptions to U.S. Masters Swimming electronic communications.

About U.S. Masters Swimming

U.S. Masters Swimming, founded in 1970, is a membership-operated national governing body that promotes health, wellness, fitness, and competition for adults through swimming. It does so by partnering with more than 1,500 adult swim programs across the country; promoting information via the bimonthly member magazine, SWIMMER, monthly e-newsletters, STREAMLINES, and website, usms.org; and by sanctioning and promoting pool, open water, and virtual events and competitions. Nearly 60,000 adults are registered members of U.S. Masters Swimming.

Registration is still open for the remaining USMS Open Water National Championship series events:

• June 7, 1 mile. Lake Berryessa, Lake Berryess, Calif. REGISTER (Registration closes June 5!)
• July 26, 10 miles. Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata, Minn. REGISTRATION OPENING SOON
• Aug. 3, 5K. Elk Lake, Bend, Ore. REGISTER
• Aug. 16, 2-Mile Cable. Mirror Lake, Lake Placid, N.Y. REGISTER
• Aug. 23, 10K. Lake George, Hague, N.Y. REGISTER

The 5K and 10K ePostal season is now underway! Want a taste of national level competition without leaving the comfort of your home pool? Then these two postal swims are for you! Hosted this year by Rogue Valley Masters, the 5K and 10K postals must be swum between May 15 and September 15 in any 50-meter pool. See how fast you can swim these two long distances and find out how you stack up to other swimmers in your age group across the country. Registration is now open and all swims must be submitted online by September 25 to be eligible for competition. Good luck and fast swimming!

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