FULLERTON, CA – The Nova Masters Swim Team regained the Southwest Zone
Championship title at the 2010 Southwest Zone Long Course Championships held
at the Janet Evans Swim Center in Fullerton July 23-25.

SwimPhone has the full results and stats from the meet.

The team race turned out to be a close battle between the Las Vegas Masters
and Nova. Las Vegas came to the meet with several collegiate swimmers on
their summer break who dominated the younger age groups, while Nova had a
decent but not dominating presence across the age group spectrum. At the end
of the second day, Las Vegas led by 110 points, but Nova rallied on the final
day to bring it to within 56 points going into the last set of relays.

“Our plan from the beginning of the meet was to hit the last set of relays
hard to overcome a deficit if we were behind,” Coach Michael Collins said.
“We got about 12 swimmers to come swim, just to compete in relays at the end of
the meet and it certainly made the difference. We went from 56 down to 68
ahead in that last set of 200 Medley and Freestyle relays. It was great to
see the energy of the team to swim fast at the end of the meet.”

“But in addition to relays we had several excellent individual performances.
If we had just ONE person less at the meet we probably would not have won.”
Individual Age Group High Point winners for the team included Danny
Puchalski (25-29M), Hank Greenberg (60-64M), Jim Riddle (45-49M), and Paula
Fell (45-49F).

“We actually TIED with Las Vegas in individual points scored, but got a few
extra points on relays to make the final difference.”

Final Team Scores Individual Relay Total

1. NOVA Novaquatics Masters           1,676               762                2,438
2. LVM Las Vegas Masters                 1,676               694                2,370
3. ROSE Rose Bowl Masters                964                348                1,312
4. SCAQ Southern California                793                276                1,069
5. MVN Mission Viejo Masters              637                138                   775

SwimPhone has the full results and stats from the meet.

“We had a lot of fun and relaxation; it was like a day at the beach, “Paula exclaimed!  This was the first swim meet without the “FAST” suits and both Paula Fell and Hank Greenberg commented on the difference the suits did make.  I say with a little more hard work and better technique, we can and will break our own personal records.

However, there were 3 Nova team records broken.

Coach Jim Dietrich in the 35-39 100 Breast, 1:18.67. The previous record was held by Coach Mike Collins in 1:18.76.
This was a nice thought, but credit is really due for Steve: 1:05.62  (edit by Jim )

Mika Gomez in the 40-44 100 Free, 1:16.75.

Tom Angell in the 70-74  50 Free, 30.97.

Cristina Pelaez recorded 1^st place as well as best times in 50 Fly and 200 IM with another 1^st place in 50 Backstroke.   Our new transpacific swimmer from Australia, Jess Goldacre took four 1^st place finishes in the sprint events, 50 Free, 50 Back, 100 Back and 50 Fly.  In addition to setting a team record in the 100 free, Mika Gomez easily won the 50 Fly.  Paula Fell won her age group in the 50 and 100 Breaststroke and swam 2 strong races in the 50 and 100 Backstroke.

Ken Hatano recorded best times in 4 events – 50 and 100 Free, 50 Fly and 200 IM.   Coach Jim won all of his events, 50 and 100 Breast and the 50 and 100 Free.  Steve Lamm swam 4 events and took 1^st in the 50 Breast.  Ira Cholodenko won all 3 of his races, 200 Back and the 100 and 200 Breastroke.  Tord Benner was very impressive with 4 out of 5 first place finishes in 50 Free, 50 and 100 Back and 50 Butterfly.   Richard Andersen won three freestyle events, 50, 100 and 200 freestyle.  Richard really “kicked it” into gear in the 50 Free with a time of 36.45.  Hank Greenberg won 2 out his five events, 50 Free and the 200 Butterfly.   As always, his 200 Fly is without a break in his stroke.

WAY TO GO NOVA

At least 10 Nova Masters swimmers participated in the 2010 Ironman in St.

George including:

Slater Fletcher (10:02:24) 3rd in 25-29 age group. Qualified for Kona!!!!

Larry Davidson (11:20:44) – 5th in 50-54 Gary Clendenin (12:34:18) – 6th in 55-59 Matthew Wedin (12:36:23) Jeff Rhodes (14:17:04) – Broke his collar bone in a crash at mile 109!

Quinton Berry (14:17:04) – Walked the Marathon with injured Jeff Rhodes Scott Callender (14:17:04) – Walked the Marathon with injured Jeff Rhodes Monique Fletcher (14:26:00) Rene Rodarte (14:52:59) Christine Masterman (15:01:25)

Here is the link to the 2010 St. George results page:

http://www.ironmanusa.com/results/results.php

Read the story about Jeff, Quinton and Scott:

http://ironman.com/columns/ironmanlife/kevin-mackinnon-catches-up-with-three

-men-who-truly-embody-the-spirit-of-ironman

Here’s what Christine Masterman had to say about her race:

I had an amazing time in Saint George.  Jason and the girls, and parents came out to support and cheer me on all day.  It was really cool!   I felt like I had a great swim, they said the water was around 58 degrees, but I don’t believe it was.  The day before when I was dropping off my bike it was really windy and cold and the water temp was 54 degrees.  I have a hard time believing that it rose 4 degrees over that day since it was so cold!  I think the Ironman people said it was around 58 degrees, for more of a psychological reason; they would have had many people freaking out if they said the water was colder.

During the swim I could feel the hypothermia setting in because my fingers were going numb and separating when I was trying to keep them close together.  I tried to make fists to pump blood into them but it didn’t seem to work.  I just kept telling myself to swim faster to get out of the cold water.  I was so happy to see the swim finish!

My swim was 1 hour and 11 minutes!  What I wasn’t prepared for was how I would feel once out of the water and not having feeling in my fingers and being so cold.  My transition was over 18 minutes because I had a difficult time getting my bike cloths on.  I had a volunteer help me, but I was shaking so hard and uncontrollably it just took time.

I was happy with my bike time.  The course was really hilly and I knew I had to pace myself to do the run afterward, so I did my bike in 7 hours and 42 minutes.  I was amazed to see other people’s times, they really crushed it!

But I still felt like I had a good bike time!  As for the run, I started off good but then the steep down hill came and I started having IT band issues.  My right knee started really hurting and I knew I had to stop running on it.  So I powered walked the last 18 miles of the race.  I looked at my time and knew if I kept between a 13 1/2 and 15 minute mile pace I would have plenty of time to finish.

My goal was to finish this Ironman in the 17 hours.   I knew it was a difficult course and set no expectations. I had been out here before and knew the bike and run course were going to be hard so I was very excited to have finished in 15 hours and 1 minute.  I would love to do another Ironman, but I think I’d like to do a flatter course next time!

ATLANTA, GA – Four Nova swimmers traveled Atlanta GA to compete at USMS Short Course Nationals held May 19-23 held in the 1996 Olympic pool at Georgia Tech University. Competing in the meet were Tom Angell (65-69), Coach Michael Collins (40-44), Megan Hedges (35-39), and Steve West (35-39).

The team had a total of 13 swims and set a total of 10 Nova Team Records and 1 USMS National Record.

Steve West led the way competed in just the 3 breaststroke events but won all 3 with new Nova Team record times. In the 50 Breast he also set the USMS National record at 25.35, which he had to do to win the event, as the 2nd place finisher also broke the old record.  In the 100 Breast Steve was just shy of the national record of 55.26 when he went 55.46. However, he crushed his own Nova team record of 57.92.  Here is a link to his 100 Breast video http://www.upmygame.com/watchv/3654/0/. Finally West cruised to a 10 second victory in the 200 with a 2:01.42.

“Super Sprinter” Tom Angell traveled all the way to Atlanta for just one event, the 50 Free, but he swam 27.01 for 2nd place in his new 70-74 age group, and blasted the Nova Team Record by 7 seconds! (previous record by William was 34).

Megan Hedges overcame a delayed start due to crowd noise and a quiet beeper to blow away the field in her heat of the 100 Fly with a 1:02.63. She moved up from 16th seed to finishing 6th. Her time also shattered her existing Nova team record of 1:07. See video of her race here:

http://www.upmygame.com/watchv/3646/0/

Nova Masters Head Coach Michael Collins got the team off to a good start with a new team record of 10:43.60 in the 40-44 to place 3rd. His time knocked nearly 8 seconds off the previous record he set last year at Nationals (10:51.25). Collins swam 4:42 in the 400 IM for 14th place and

2:16.51 in the 200 Back for 12th. See video of his 200 Back here:

http://www.upmygame.com/watchv/3648/0/. Collins also nipped Katsuya’s team record of 5:11.37 when he went 5:10.87. Finally, Collins placed 14th in the 200 Fly where his wheels fell off a bit in the final 50. (2:18.01)

NOVA TEAM RESULTS (With Splits)

50 Free

2 Angell, Tom            70 NOVA                27.50      27.04  NOVA TEAM

RECORD

=========================================

1000 Free

3 Collins, Michael D     44 NOVA             10:43.60  NOVA TEAM RECORD

29.19      1:00.28 (31.09)

1:32.18 (31.90)     2:04.04 (31.86)

2:35.88 (31.84)     3:08.41 (32.53)

3:40.80 (32.39)     4:13.13 (32.33)

4:45.69 (32.56)     5:18.15 (32.46)

5:50.70 (32.55)     6:23.38 (32.68)

6:56.25 (32.87)     7:28.94 (32.69)

8:01.95 (33.01)     8:34.58 (32.63)

9:07.15 (32.57)     9:39.68 (32.53)

10:12.26 (32.58)    10:43.60 (31.34)

400 IM

14 Collins, Michael D     44 NOVA             4:42.36

29.83      1:03.31 (33.48)

1:41.93 (38.62)     2:18.51 (36.58)

2:59.85 (41.34)     3:39.64 (39.79)

4:11.75 (32.11)     4:42.36 (30.61)

200 Back

13 Collins, Michael D     44 NOVA             2:16.51

32.74      1:07.46 (34.72)

1:42.61 (35.15)     2:16.51 (33.90)

500 Free

10 Collins, Michael D     44 NOVA             5:10.87  NOVA TEAM RECORD

28.53        58.88 (30.35)

1:29.64 (30.76)     2:00.58 (30.94)

2:32.31 (31.73)     3:03.94 (31.63)

3:35.70 (31.76)     4:07.71 (32.01)

4:39.82 (32.11)     5:10.87 (31.05)

200 Fly

14 Collins, Michael D     44 NOVA              2:15.00    2:18.01

29.55      1:03.20 (33.65)

1:37.95 (34.75)     2:18.01 (40.06) NUCLEAR MELTDOWN ON THE LAST

LAP!

======================================

100 Fly

6 Hedges, Megan          37 NOVA              1:12.65    1:02.63  NOVA TEAM

RECORD

29.50      1:02.63 (33.13)

50 Fly

6 Hedges, Megan          37 NOVA                27.81              NOVA TEAM RECORD

50 Back

9 Hedges, Megan          37 NOVA                30.66    NOVA TEAM RECORD

100 IM

13 Hedges, Megan          37 NOVA              1:07.57  NOVA TEAM RECORD

30.44      1:07.57 (37.13)

======================================

50 Breast

1 West, Steve T          38 NOVA                25.50      25.35 NATIONAL

RECORD

100 Breast

1 West, Steve T          38 NOVA                55.46  NOVA TEAM RECORD

25.92        55.46 (29.54)

200 Breast

1 West, Steve T          38 NOVA              2:03.00    2:01.42  NOVA

TEAM RECORD

27.29        58.24 (30.95)

1:30.06 (31.82)     2:01.42 (31.36)

Approximately 15 Nova Masters Swimmers participated in the Short Course Yards meet at UC Irvine on April 25, 2010.

Results can be found at www.swimphone.com and photos from the meet can be found in the Nova Masters Meets Gallery.

New Nova meet swimmers included Mika and Dick Anderson.

Team records broken at the meet included:

Max Biesmann 25-29, 500 Free 5:02.??

Hank Greenberg, 60-64  200 IM 2:49.00

Who: Alex Cheung, Kathy Downing, Hank Greenberg, Robin Kehrli, Tanya Maclean, and Emily Perez

What: YMCA Pancake Pentathlon

Where: San Diego

When: March 14, 2010

Why: Team bonding and fast swimming

On Sunday, we all headed south for the annual Pancake Pentathlon.  There were sprint, middle, and distance event options – something for everyone including pancakes with all the condiments.

The day was well prescribed for a swim meet.  The sun was shining and the pool was fast.  Great swims were there for the taking and our Novas stepped up to the blocks.  Three of our swimmers won overall best cumulative time in their events and received a gift card to Jamba Juice – Alex Cheung, mid-distance M30-34, Kathy Downing, sprint – W30-34 and Hank Greenberg, mid-distance M60-64.

In addition there were many PR by all our swimmers.  All the hard work and double practices paid off for Alex.  He swam a 1:10.04 in the 100 fly and went 1:00.96 in the 100 free.  Kathy with her long graceful strokes thought she would change it up in the 100 IM and speed up her turn over in the freestyle.  Truly, a new sprinter was born.  Hank was strong in all his events.  He is like the Energizer Bunny that keeps swimming and swimming and swimming.  Robin’s 100 fly, 1:25.43, was very strong all the way and out touched the swimmer who had a body length lead at the 50 yard mark.  Tanya broke the 29 barrier in the 50 free coming in at 28.95 and also commanded her 50 fly in 34.02.  Emily swam her first ever 50 fly in 36.15 and continues to improve every time she races.  Coach Kim, while still on the injured list, sat this meet on the bleachers.

Next stop was lunch in Old Towne San Diego for great food, great music and great margaritas.  The consensus from the group was that we should make this an annual event, so mark your calendar for next year!

Our thanks go to the San Diego Swim Masters for putting on an outstanding event with good “TIMES” had by all.  Hope to see you there next year.

Way to go NOVA – CONGRATULATIONS

Coach Kim T.

Results: http://www.simasterswim.org/031410-SCY-MVY-440-MC-01Y.htm

Here are some quotes from athletes in the program, or who have attended our camps, clinics, classes or lessons:

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Recently, I was talking with my pastor and I told him for the umpteenth time what a great group NOVA Master’s is. It’s hard not to mention it when we get together. I mentioned a workout once when (wearing fins) I swam 100 free in 1:10. And when I got back to the wall, Coach Mike shouted “1:10 – Alan! That’s awesome!”

“How often and where else do people our age get encouragement like that?” I said. Sometimes you get out of the pool and people you barely know are patting
you on the back and saying “Great job!” If the rest of the day were filled with such encouraging people, the world would be a very different place.

He said, “’Well, when you combine the hard work and fun you’re all having with the fact that you’re building up your endorphins every time you’re together – Master’s Swimming probably feels a lot like getting together with a bunch of drinking buddies.”

That made me laugh. And I hope it’s encouraging, because it’s true. I do end up swallowing a lot of water there.

- Alan
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Thank you for creating a positive environment where excellence is inevitable to steal a phrase. Your slogan has been tested and proven and I thank you for being the encourager by getting me to see that I can do more than I think.

You are a great coach and I so appreciate that you bring the team together in social events as well as coaching us as a team. Thank you Mike, it is hard work, often thankless, takes so much of your energy and patience and it all turns out so well. Congratulations on coaching a winning team, for putting so much of yourself into making this a wonderful swim club. You are the best Mike, thank you.

- Jayne

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I can’t tell you what a huge confidence booster part 1 of the Triple Crown was. I have never swam that far in that time.
Thank you very much for everything. After just two months with the club, I
am beyond impressed. If you offered a lifetime membership, I’d sign up!

- Bob J.

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I wanted to let you both know the top ten things you guys have helped me accomplish and that I am grateful.

Things that have improved or am thankful for since joining NOVA.

1. I swim 14 seconds faster in freestyle than when I started in January. ( I got my personal best time today). Still in shock.. double checked my math each time.

2. I now swim straight on the backstroke…well straighter than when I first started & I no longer hit my head against the pool edge when doing backstroke.

3.I learned how to swim butterfly.I can now go 75yds straight… goal 100yds and then 200yds eventually.

4. I re-learned how to do flipturns… still need to work on them.

5.I can now do bi-lateral breathing. It has helped me out in the Pacific.

6. I have learned to decipher your workout code and remember the set. Still need to work on lap counting though. I sometimes lose track. Thank God for Gene he keeps me honest.

7. My breaststroke is a lot better .. I no longer swim up hill but it is still me least favorite stroke.. I am still really really slow. Goal: Improve times next year.

8. I can push myself out of the pool in 4 ft 6 feet and not use the stairs… Still working on trying to get out of 7 feet of water…..

9. I learned how to use the pull gear, but using my fins are lot more fun.

10. I can now swim a full hour non-stop (at-least in the pool…I still freak out every once in the while in the ocean when it is really choppy)

And most importantly : I have lost 2 dress sizes since I started swimming… Thanks!

A year ago in Novemeber Kerri managed to convince me to go to a practice with her to check out what you guys had to offer. I just want to say that in that year I have learned a lot and I am super happy I joined.

Thanks for keeping me motivated.

- Veronica
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My family and I are moving to Colorado early December so I guess I’ll
have to make this my last month of swimming at the Nova Masters
Swimming program. Thanks for your excellent coaching – I never
dreamt I would enjoy swimming this much.

- Tim

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I wanted to make sure I sent you a big THANK YOU for all the effort you put into making the World Masters meet in No. Cal a fun meet for the team. You did a great job putting the relays together and making sure everyone had a good time. I had a lot of fun and really appreciate being a part of a masters team that encourages everyone to have fun and swim fast

Thank you.

- Alison M

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Thanks so much for making World’s so special for me. You are truly a great coach in addition to being a really fun guy. I appreciate your video tape analysis and race strategy very much. People like you keep Masters Swimming fresh and exciting!

Thanks,

- AJ

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Just got back today from the World’s after the open water swim yesterday!
What a swim!!

Thank God for the water temperature…70 degrees!!! The wind was strong and
cold, even with the sun out, and the tide was coming in..In the swim I made
a couple of mistakes in sighting, but got 2nd, the silver medal behind a
well respected. long time, FINA rep., good swimmer in my age group!

Loved the meet Mike, love Stanford, and had a great experience. Thanks for
the encouragement and help. I felt my turns reflected your help, along with
the starts (from the practices with Paul), it was a wonderful experience for
me after being out of LC meets for 11 years! I really enjoyed swimming the
relays too with Katherine, Kim, Dick and Tom.

Thank you!

- Carol

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“I am impressed by you and Paul. You put together a first class program and are complementary in your coaching styles. The pool is at a good temperature, the showers clean and hot and the work out times work for me.”

- Mark

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“Just wanted to say thanks for the great lesson a few weeks ago. Since I
broke my collarbone 3 months ago I hadn’t been swimming much but after the
lesson I went from the 1:50 lane (long course) back down to my 1:35 lane in
two days with my new stroke! Thank you!!!”

- Marisa

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“I just wanted to let you know that the swimming class has been great. I think the combination of classroom videos and in-pool drills and coaching have been VERY beneficial. The locker room chatter that I’ve heard from some of the other participants echoes my sentiments. Thanks!”

- Annie

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“Thank you so much for the highlights and the strengthening program.
I don’t think I’ve ever had such complete coaching.”

- Helen

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“THANK YOU for giving me a final opportunity to cap off my weekend with the 800 free relay leadoff swim. It was a weekend beyond dreams …. just 3-4 weeks ago I had written off the SCY season.    …. 8 swims and 6 new best times!!!!!”

- Hank

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“I wanted to thank you for your coaching, and say that even though I haven’t achieved what I would like to yet, Thanks to you, I am now comfortable in the water and feel relatively good while swimming upwards of 3500 meters. ”

- Finney

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“I was so overwhelmed on the way home I started crying….I had such an AMAZING experience at LB this weekend. I don’t know if you realized this, but I hit every GOAL I set for myself for the meet!(except the 200 where I stopped early by mistake!!!) They were a bit aggressive, so I was sooo stoked! Take care and keep up the great work at NOVA.”

- Beeeeeeee

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“I couldn’t have made those stroke improvements without both of you helping me day in and day out and giving me lots of coaching advice during competitions. I really appreciate the recognition and I have had a lot of fun at all of the meets. Thank you for the Nova 2005 Outstanding Female Competitor award.”

- Libby

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Mike, you and Paul are the two best coaches I’ve ever had and I really appreciate you have done for my stroke and all. Without those changes there is no way I would have been able to do as well as I did, only training twice a week since May, at SCM regionals. Thank you to both of you.

- Meg

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COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Nova Coach, Michael Collins, and athlete Adam Craun recently attended the USMS High Altitude Training Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. Craun was one of only 12 athletes selected to attend the camp. Coach Collins served as the Head Coach of the camp and has served as a coach at the yeary USMS training center camps since it started in 1999. Craun was quoted as saying “It was the most fun I’ve had in five days, EVER!” The highlights for Craun included swimming at 100 butterfly world record pace in the flume and getting to race against guest Olympian and motivational speaker, Rowdy Gains.

Click logo to shop online using discount code: MSOC

FINIS PRODUCT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE ONLINE

	Be sure to use a Sharpie to mark your gear

SWIMMING EQUIPMENT SUGGESTIONS

We suggest that you purchase the following swimming equipment items for use at Nova practices. You can get a 20% discount  online at:

www.finisinc.com

Use discount code: MSOC

Here are the Finis products we highly recommend you get:

Z2 Fins – Helpful for drills and in High Speed Swimming.
http://store.finisinc.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=23500270

One Piece Pull Bouy – Swimming with a buoy helps simulate the feeling of a wetsuit for triathletes.
http://store.finisinc.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=10503648

Fulcrum Paddles – Helps teach to pull with the fingers pointing toward the bottom for greater leverage and less shoulder injury potential. (Yellow for Women, White for Men)
http://store.finisinc.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=20500110006

Finis Alignment Kickboard – Competitive swimmers are constantly working on improving their kick, and it is very important to keep the body posture straight while kicking and not in a banana libe shape that happens with most kickboards.
http://store.finisinc.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=105030

Tempo Trainer – One of the greatest tools available to teach rythmic tempo and pacing for both swimming and running
http://store.finisinc.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=105015

Centermount Snorkel – Assists with correct head position and air management for greater efficiency.
http://store.finisinc.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=10500910350
Mesh Gear Bag – To carry all your gear. PUT YOUR NAME ON IT!
http://store.finisinc.com/SearchByKeyword.aspx?word=mesh%20bag

Here are some additional items to consider that help you improve your swimming

Open Water Swimming DVD – Produced by Coach Michael Collins. Shorten your learning curve and prevent the critical mistakes many athletes make in open water.

Triathlon Transitions DVD – Produced by Coach Michael Collins. Shorten your learning curve and prevent the critical mistakes many triathletes make in in the easiest area to save time in a triathlon.

Hydro Hips – This is like paddles for your CORE! Where the REAL power in the stroke comes from.

Clarity Vision Correction Goggles – Great option for people with contacts who don’t want to always wear them.

SwimP3 – A Waterproof MP3 player attached to a pair of googles. Great for long straight swims on your own to keep you motivated in open water. (Just leave the theme from Jaws off of it.)

Goggles – Varies styles for every swimmers face

Swim Suits – Great Prices on practice suits and competition suits.

Swimming Away from Home

We always have swimmers off to see the world on business or pleasure with hopes of getting in a workout away from home. For pools outside the U.S., it is good to remember that the Nova Masters consists of swimmers from all around the globe. If one of our swimmers does not know of a good place, they might be able to email a friend or at least use their native language skills to navigate local online swim sites for you. While word of mouth on the pool deck is one way to find a great place to swim, there are several Websites that are wonderful resources for finding pools outside of Irvine. This page lists our favorite Websites along with a list of rules for visiting a new team.

Etiquette Away from Home

Top-ten things to remember when visiting a Masters team:

1. Arrive a little early.
2. Introduce yourself to the coach and show him/her your current USMS card. Do this before anything else!
3. Know in advance what or if you need to pay to drop in. Have cash or a check ready (see also items 9 and 10).
4. If you know you will be late, send an email or call the team contact to see if this is OK. If you need to leave early, tell the coach at the beginning of the workout. Some teams do not take kindly to late arrivals or early departures.
5. Ask if there is anything you might do to help get things ready (lane lines, clocks, flags, covers, etc.).
6. Be sure you are getting in the right lane. Ask the coach to explain how the team works (lanes, workouts, etc.).
7. Introduce yourself to your new lanemates. This can be the first step to so many friendships. Without the introduction, it never seems to happen…
8. Swim the set as given, or as your lane has decided to alter it (it is masters after all). Do not be the visitor who is “doing their own thing”. You all know what I mean.
9. If you have the foresight to take a Nova swim cap or T-Shirt or some other gift for the coach, this often equals free swimming for the duration of your visit. A little gift goes a long way!
10. Thank the coach for the workout. Tell him or her that it was perhaps the finest piece of coaching that you have ever had the pleasure to encounter. This somehow makes up for coaches being paid far less than they should be.

Websites
USMS Places to Swim – the USMS list of places to swim, but it is not exhaustive. Teams have to “opt in” to get their information on the site (and often it is outdated). However, it is still a great resource.

SWIMMERS GUIDE – the tried and true “staple” of finding a place to swim – kind of a bible of lap pools around the globe.

SPMA Places to Swim – If you need to find another program in the SoCal area this is the place to check first

Laurie Kilmartin Lap Pool Reviews – perhaps my favorite site. This is a list put together by a comedian who swims with Walnut Creek. She travels a great deal for work and has a great grading system for the pools she has visited. What makes this site so great is the commentary. Even if you have no plans to travel it might be worth a look.

Pacific Masters Places to Swim – the list of clubs from Pacific Masters, their locations, and practice times. Like USMS, this list if kind of an “opt in” and is not always complete and current.

Metropolitan LMSC Places to Swim – the LMSC site for the Greater NYC area. Many of our swimmers travel to NYC, so this is a good site for you.

USMS Zone and LMSC Websites – the USMS list of LMSCs. If you cannot find a club, but feel like there might be one, look for the LMSC Website. Most have a list of clubs. You can contact most clubs via email, or by phone if it is listed. As a last resort, LMSC registrars or officers are often willing to tell you about local clubs. Beware, everyone thinks that their club is the best!

Know of a site that is helpful, but not listed here? Send the URL and a brief description to info@novamasters.com