Week of June 24, 2024

Hi Christine,

Champs of Today and a Blast from the Past

The legacy of the Berkoff Blastoff

At the US Olympic Trials in Indiana, Regan Smith reclaimed her world record in the 100-meter Backstroke, with a time of 57.13 as her family and high school coach looked on. Coming in a very respectable second place was Katherine Berkoff, with a 57.91.

The Berkoff name is a storied one in the field of competitive swimming. Katherine’s father, David Berkoff (1988 and 1992 Olympian) is famous for his backstroke start and dolphin kick, swimming over 30 meters underwater before popping up, aptly named the Berkoff Blastoff. David did not invent the technique, but he certainly perfected it, breaking the world record three times. We do not see the lengthy underwater backstroke anymore as there is now the 15-meter underwater limit. Read how and why the rules changed.

Regan Smith and Katherine Berkoff will be among the many outstanding athletes representing the United States in Paris this summer. We understand the significance of their accomplishments and will be cheering for each and every one of them as they continue a legacy of excellence.

Special Notice

New limit on individual events at championships

Swimmers, please note that we've made some changes to registration limits for our championship meets. The entry limit will now be 6 individual events. Swimmers who enter 6 individual events will be asked to designate a 6th event in case we need to scratch down for timeline purposes.

This is in keeping with the way USMS Nationals are conducted. Our distance events (1500, 800, and 400 Frees) will still have caps on them, but the caps are higher than they have been. There will be no waitlist for these distance events.

Swimming Competition Extraordinaire

First-hand account of the Olympic Trials and the USMS Nationals

Never before has an entire city been transformed into a venue for a swimming competition. From one's first steps off an arriving plane in Indianapolis, you are regaled with super-sized imagery of competitors in action, floors surfaced with water patterns and lane lines, and a myriad of signs with shout-outs to the over 1,000 qualifiers for the 2024 Swimming Olympic trials to take place in a pro football stadium.



Concurrent with the trials, United States Masters Swimming was invited to hold our 2024 Spring National Championships in the nearby IUPUI Natatorium. Over 2,500 members registered to participate in the 5-day meet. See results here.

Indy is no stranger to orchestrating championships having done so eight times, and they put on a near flawless event. The meet ran on time, was superbly administered, and the pool was especially fast. Read more.

Rowdy Gaines at our Annual Meeting and Celebration

Sunday, November 17, 2024

If you followed the Olympic trials, or any televised swimming competition of the past decade, you’ve been regaled with the always animated and entertaining announcing of Rowdy Gaines. By now, Rowdy is a household name among swimmers of all ages. Especially, Pacific Masters members who remember Rowdy as the guest speaker at our first Annual Celebration and Meeting in 2011. Pictured here is Rowdy with Rich Burns and Laura Val.

Rowdy will return as guest speaker for this year’s Celebration to be held on Sunday, November 17. He’ll be fresh off of this summer’s Olympic games and sure to make this a not-to-be-missed event. More information to come – save the date.

Eight Bridges Virtual Swim Goes Hollywood!

The Second Annual, Through September 30

Swimmers log pool and/or open water swims to move virtually from bridge to bridge across the San Francisco Bay. This year, swimmers will learn more about the Bay Bridges as they appear in movies, TV shows, and even some songs! After reaching each bridge, swimmers will receive an email with entertainment titles that feature the bridge, and sometimes extra fun info about its locale.

As an unsanctioned event, all are invited to participate—swimmers may be affiliated with any club, organization, or none, can be of any age, and reside within any country.

No awards, just heaps of fun, personal satisfaction, and bragging rights! It’s an opportunity to support a terrific Bay Area nonprofit: The San Francisco Baykeeper.

Pacific Masters Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, July 17, Doors open at 6:45, Meeting begins at 7:00 PM

Join us on Wednesday, July 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.

Coaches Clinics

September 28 and 29, 2024

USMS is offering Coach Certification for Level 2 & Level 3 on September 28 in San Rafael (Four Points Hotel) Click each level for registration.

"How-to-coach-a-clinic" sessions in classroom on September 28 in San Rafael (Four Points Hotel) and on deck on September 29 in Novato (Miwok Aquatic Center). Registration for both days.

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 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 the end of today (June 26) 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.

Through June 30

Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge

Last chance - Closing Soon

Through Sept 30

Eight Bridges Virtual Swim

Registration open

July 7

Silver State LCM Meet, Carson City, NV

Registration open

July 20

QuickSilver Fast and Free LCM Meet, Gunderson High School, San Jose

Registration open

August 1 -31

400 Fastest Pull for Sebastopol

7th Annual

August 2 - 4

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

Registration open

August 10

Donner Lake Open Water Swim

Registration closed

August 17 - 18

Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz, CA

Registration open

August 21 - 25

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

Registration open

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

QuickSilver Fast and Free LCM Meet, July 20

Gunderson High School, San Jose

Get a jump start in preparation for our Long Course championships with this fun meet offering 50s and 100s of each stroke plus the 200 IM a the 400 Free.

Information and Registration

Pacific Master LCM Championships, August 2-4

Miwok Aquatic Center, Novato, CA.

Has watching the Olympic Trials given you a longing for Long Course? Our Pacific Masters LCM Championships will be here before you know it. Hosted by Marin Aquatics Masters and held at the beautiful Miwok Aquatic Center, we anticipate world-class swims! Participants will be limited to 6 individual events, as per the new rules. Information and Registration 

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.

Come enjoy the ocean and all that Santa Cruz has to offer. Information and 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

Virtual Event Details

Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge, Through 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 to be updated to reflect this year’s expansion from fly-only to fly, back, and breast. Information and Registration

Eight Bridges Virtual Swim, Through 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 an opportunity to support a terrific Bay Area non-profit: San Francisco Bay Keeper.

Information and Registration