Week of June 10, 2024

Hi Christine,

Need an extra challenge? Try swimming 40 miles across Arizona!

The SCAR Swim is a four-day, 40-mile open-water race across four lakes along the Salt River in Central Arizona: the Saguaro, Canyon, Apache, and Roosevelt. This is not for the faint of heart! Check out this NYT article giving a glimpse of the race experience.

Lake Berryessa Celebrates 40 years!

Pacific Masters kicked off the 2024 open water season in style at Lake Berryessa on June 1—hundreds of swimmers participated in what was both the 40th anniversary of this lake swim and the USMS national Open Water 2-mile race. Recap

Open Water Challenge Achievement Patches

Available at Open Water events

Did you know that since 2021, whenever you swim Pacific Masters Open Water events, you’re racking up Pacific Masters Open Water Challenge points? We passed out patches at Lake Berryessa! Look for Open Water Committee Members who will hand out the patches at the registration tables and after swims.

Designed by Bay Area artist Zina Deretsky, there’s one patch for each tier level: Trout (5-9 swims), Manatee (10-24 swims), Salmon (25-49 swims), Shark (50-99 swims), and Whale 100+ swims). To date, more than 150 swimmers have earned patches!

Not sure which patches you’ve earned, or want to learn more about the Challenge? Check the Open Water Challenge website pages. Teammates and coaches may pick up patches for swimmers not in attendance.

Wish to refuse all earned patches? Or perhaps you’d prefer electronic versions instead? Please send your requests to owchallenge@pacificmasters.org. 

Pacific Masters Monthly Meeting

New Date: Monday, June 17, Doors open at 6:45, Meeting begins at 7:00 PM

Join us on Monday, June 17, for our monthly meeting via the Zoom platform. If this is your first time Zooming, we suggest you sign on a little early to ask questions and address technical issues. Even if you are familiar with Zoom, sign on early to say "hi" to your fellow swimmers.

Our monthly meeting reminder email will provide the Zoom link. If you are not on that list and would like to attend, please send an email to administrator@pacificmasters.org for details. All members are encouraged to participate.

Upcoming Events for our Coaches

Coaching at Nationals and/or attending the Coaches Clinic

Be an on-deck coach at Spring nationals, June 20-24 (Indianapolis). The swimmers are very grateful for your help, while giving you "front row" seating to catch all the action. We still need volunteers! Sign up here.

USMS is offering coach certification for levels 2 & 3 on September 28 in San Rafael. Click each level for registration. Also on offer are "How-to-coach-a-clinic" sessions in classroom on September 28 in San Rafael and on deck on September 29 in Novato. Registration for both days' how-to.

USMS is offering The Nationals Coaches Clinic, October 18-20 (Houston). Receive guidance from some of the most knowledgeable and experienced mentors in our field. This is a fantastic learning event for coaches with speakers, networking, and pool time. Information and Registration

USMS SCY Spring Nationals

Indiana University Natatorium, June 20 - 24

Registration is now closed. Stay tuned to the information page for pre-event updates, plus peruse psych sheets.

USMS LCM Summer Nationals

Marguerite Aquatics Complex, Mission Viejo, August 21-25

U.S. Masters Swimming is excited to bring Summer Nationals back to Mission Viejo. Let the Olympic excitement continue throughout August! Hosted by Mission Viejo Nadadores, the USMS LCM Summer Nationals meet is sure to be filled with great weather and fast swims. Register by June 25 before prices go up!

USMS Volunteer Awards

Nominations Due, July 1

A goal of the USMS Recognition and Awards Committee is to acknowledge and share the impact and involvement of our volunteers so that everyone is aware of their contributions and how vital they are to the success of our sport. A few of the USMS awards are the June Krauser Communications Award, the Dorothy Donnelly Service Award, Club of the Year, and the Fitness Award. Find out about ALL the USMS awards here.

Any USMS member may nominate individuals for these awards. We’re grateful for your service to USMS and would like to expand our thanks to other volunteers that you believe are exceptional.

May 1-June 30

Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge

Registration now open

June 1-Sept 30

Eight Bridges Virtual Swim

Registration now open

June 20-24

USMS Spring Nationals, IU Natatorium, Indianapolis, IN

Registration is closed

July 7

Silver State LCM Meet, Carson City, NV

Registration now open

August 1 -31

400 Fastest Pull for Sebastopol

August 2 - 4

Pacific Masters Long Course Championships, hosted by MAQ, Miwok Aquatic Center, Novato

August 10

Donner Lake Open Water Swim

Registration is closed

August 17 - 18

Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz, CA

Registration now open

August 21 - 25

USMS Summer Nationals, Marguerite Aquatic Complex, Mission Viejo, CA

Registration now open

Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge, May 1 - June 30

Registration closes July 15

The Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge allows you to swim a timed 500, 1000, or 1650 fly, back, or breaststroke in your own pool. All results will be displayed on our virtual “wall of fame” for the event, to be updated to reflect this year’s expansion of the event from fly-only to fly, back, and breast. Information and Registration

Eight Bridges Virtual Swim, June 1 - September 30

Registration now open

Swimmers log pool and/or open water swims Saturday, June 1-Monday, September 30 to virtually move from bridge to bridge across the San Francisco Bay. Instead of awards, you'll have heaps of fun, personal satisfaction, and bragging rights! It’s also an easy opportunity to swim in support of a terrific Bay Area non-profit, we donate 20% to San Francisco Bay Keeper. Information and Registration

USMS Spring Nationals, IU Natatorium, Indianapolis, IN, June 20-24

Registration closed

Continue to check the Information page for any updates.

Silver State LCM Meet, Carson Aquatic Facility, Carson City, NV, July 7

Participation is limited to 125 entrants

The Carson Aquatic Facility is located in Mills Park in the center of Nevada’s capital, featuring four pools: an eight-lane Olympic-sized pool, a six-lane 25-yard pool, therapy pool, and a kid’s pool. With only a 30-minute drive from Reno or 20 minutes from Lake Tahoe, this event is perfectly situated to bring the family for a fun-filled weekend, culminating with a Sunday meet. Information and Registration

Pacific Master LCM Championships, August 2-4

Miwok Aquatic Center, Novato, CA.

Once again, the Pacific Masters LCM Championships will be hosted by Marin Aquatics Masters and held at the beautiful Miwok Aquatic Center. Meet Information and registration will be coming soon! Check our schedule page. 

Donner Lake Open Water Swim, Truckee, CA, August 10

Participation has reached capacity and is now closed

Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend, August 17-18

Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz, CA.

Registration is now open. Registration

USMS Summer Nationals, August 21-25

Marguerite Aquatic Complex, Mission Viejo, CA.

Grab your swim friends and prepare for five days of racing in beautiful Mission Viejo. Registration is now open. Meet Information