Ever wonder why masters are allowed to do breaststroke kick during butterfly or why masters are allowed to start in the water facing the course or the wall?  (Yes, those really are rules.)  These rules are debated and voted on at the convention.  USMS is made up of many committes that are made up of about 10-20 members.  They cover topics such as The Coaches Committee, Open Water Committee, Rules Committee, Championship Committee, etc.  During convention, they hold meetings that all convention attendees are allow to attend.  They talk about what changes they are working towards in Master’s swimming, including anything that will be voted on by Convention Delegates.  Some of this year topics included how to institute a point system to determine the fastest open water swimmers, what are safe and reasonable temperature limits for open water swimming, and what are reasonable expectations for LMSC boards.  With such broad topics, it is easy to find subjects to feel passionate about.  I enjoyed both in the Open Water Committee Meetings and the LMSC Committee meetings, reminding members that not all LMSC’s have 10,000 plus members and that expectations and rewards should be balanced for the large and small LMSC’s like Connecticut.  While sometimes listening to the debates can seem tedious, it is a great way to give to USMS and get so much back at the same time.

NJ LMSC is hosting a USMS/ASCA Master’s Coach Level 1 and 2 Certification Clinic in Cranford, NJ (which is not far from Elizabeth, NJ which is near Newark, NJ- it is not far from NY).  This is an all day program being taught by Mel Goldstein with help.  Like many coaching clinics, even if you are an experienced coach, you will pick up great ideas from the instructors and the other coaches that attend.  The class covers both the logistics of running a program: budgeting, marketing, insurance and safety issues, etc and swimming fundamentals and the latest theories on good technique.  I have taken this class and even after coaching for 18 years, I thought it was great.  Click here for registration information.

I was lucky enough to attend the USMS Convention in North Carolina this last week.  The highlights are too numerous to share in just one news burst so over the next couple weeks, I will share some of my experiences.  The convention is both a way to give to USMS, which is almost entirely run and organized by volunteers but also a way to get more out of Masters.  I was able in many occasions to voice my opinion that USMS should remember that some LMSC’s are smaller, like Connecticut, and that rules, regulations, and rewards need to be balanced to equally represent us.  I was also able to remind people that USMS is for “fitness, fun, and fellowship” and that fast is not one of the founding principals (even though it can be fun too).  While I can talk at length to the importance of committee meetings and workshops, the real benefit of going to convention is the socials.  While I have so many great memories, I will share this one first.  Friday night, a group from New England and I celebrated a successful day by drinking some beers by the pool.  Who should wander over but none other than, world record holding, Olympic gold medalist, Aaron Peirsol, who sat a drank with us for over 2 hours.  And the best is that he is really cool, down to earth, and has a great attititude about swimming for fun.  Yes, I will add the pictures for those of you who think this is just a ploy to get more CONN Master’s to convention next year.  But really, consider making time for next year’s convention in Anaheim, California.