An Interview with Gen Mackwood
by Kerry Smith
November 2011
At age 51, Genevieve (Gen) Mackwood of Technosport Ottawa set herself a goal of completing the Ederle (ed-er-lee) Swim, a 17.5 mile (about 27.8 km) salt water swim from Sandy Hook, New Jersey to Lower Manhattan, New York City on Sunday, October 2, 2011. She placed eighth overall with a time of six hours, thirty two minutes. I interviewed her to see what ever possessed her to take on such a challenge.
K: Can you provide me with a sketch of your swimming career from your youth?
G: I started competitive swimming in the summer of 1969 with the Nepean summer competitive swim program at General Burns Pool where I also took lessons, and I liked it the best of all the sports I tried.
I swam in the summer for three years with my older brothers. Scot, he eldest was a swim instructor and later on a swim coach in spite of the fact that he was legally blind. Even so, he attained the highest award “Distinction” as a swim instructor.
My brother Mark was a breaststroker, but enjoyed rugby and team sports more than swimming. My Dad earned his Bronze Medallion and was a good all-round athlete, especially in Track and Field. My Mom is the most amazing person. In her eighties, she can out walk and out garden anyone.
The summer I turned 14, I was swimming at Nepean Swim Club with Head Coach Mike Dirkson. I swam breast stroke but I loved the long distance swims, especially the 1500m. But at that time, in the 70’s there was no 1500m at nationals for girls, so I swam the 200m and 100m breast stroke events at nationals and at a few international meets. Mom and Dad were always really involved with swim meets when I was a teenager. They spent a lot of time encouraging me and giving me a lot of positive reinforcement.
I stopped swimming at age 19 to go to nursing school. I got married and had my children. At 25, I swam for a few years with the Pembroke Masters Swim Club. Then, I had a third child and stopped swimming again because I had no time. I went back to swimming ten years later and joined up at lunchtime in the public swims with like-minded people to do workouts on our own.
My two youngest children swam competitively and I did my share of car-pooling. When the kids were swimming, I napped in the stands and after their practice they would wake me to take them to school. I noticed the older group at the other end of the pool: Technosport Masters Swim Club with coach Duane Jones. He invited me to come on down and swim and the rest is history. I have been swimming ever since. I have swum at Nationals and in other meets, but the distance is what I really wanted to do. 1500m is about as short a race as I like these days.
I have been attracted to long distance swimming since my youth. You don’t have to go fast and I love spending time in water. As a kid, I had heard of marathon swims and was fascinated. But, where do you go to start? It is off the radar. Kim Lumsdon followed in her father Cliff’s footsteps and became a well-known marathon swimmer. She has a family background in sport and has known open water swimming from early in life. To me, marathon swimming looked like an unattainable goal, but Kim had experience throughout her life. Paula Stevenson swam all of the Great Lakes. She swims with the Nepean Masters Swim Club. Knowing what they attained made me think that perhaps I could do it too.
K: How did you make the shift from pool to open water?
G: As a teenager, I attended the Ak-o-mak swim camp near Huntsville, and I experienced outdoor swimming for the first time. I was anxious about the leeches and weeds but the other swimmers inspired me. I thought if they can swim in the lake, so can I. I did the swim across the lake; a four- or five-mile swim for kids 14–19 yrs. It was a great summer swim camp for teens and I have very fond memories from then.
Swimming solo is the last thing I ever dreamed of doing. I was always a pool swimmer and when my family would venture into a lake to swim I had a healthy fear of “things in the water” (muskellunges, sharks, fish, snakes and weeds) and I would make my husband Jeff swim next to me in case I had to climb on him to escape from the “things.” But, in the back of my mind was the dream of swimming a marathon.
With practice and lots of patience from Jeff, I learned to control and conquer my fear of the “things in the water” and to concentrate on stroke technique instead.
K: Can you tell me about your recent accomplishment, swimming the Ederle (ed-er-lee) swim?
G: First, it is not a race, it is a swim. It is not one of the NYC swim group’s bigger swims. They organize many races each year and they are all well run and the bigger ones have major sponsors. This one was first swum in the 1920s. Gertrude Ederle started it and she was also the first woman to swim the English Channel. I thought that if she could do it back then, I should be able to do it too. I swam the NYC swim group’s Little Red Lighthouse swim a few years earlier. Some swimmers I had previously competed against also did the Ederle, so I compared my previous event results to theirs and figured I should be able to do Ederle too. I swam the Ederle and was close to my estimated times.
K: In your profile on the Ederle Website you noted that you started with the Little Red Lighthouse swim two years ago. How did you progress to the Ederle?
G: I started with Technosport’s 1k, 2k, 4k, Bring on the Bay 3k, Traversee de lac Memphremagog 10k, St. Marys 5k and Brockville 5k. Training for the Ederle was a real labour of love as I swam two to three times a day in different lakes, bays and pools.
Training began in earnest in late May when I did my first 59f swim. I stayed in the water for 90 minutes and after getting cramps I retreated to the warmth of the beach. I thought I would never make the three hour qualifying swim. But, I kept at the long swims and still did the grueling workouts with the rest of the team. I soon realized the rest times we have in workouts were pretty long compared to the 15 seconds I would be taking in my long swims and that I wasn’t nearly as tired as I would have been previously.
I completed the Kingdom Swim, a 10 mile swim in Vermont about nine weeks before Ederle. This would be my last chance to qualify for the Ederle. It was a choppy, cool swim (67 degrees F) which challenged me physically and mentally. The chop didn’t let up until the last quarter of the race, which taught me to train more, and I learned that distance is best broken down into small chunks of time.
Workouts after the Kingdom swim were much longer and more focused. Because of my work schedule, I wasn’t able to swim with my team, so the last two months leading up to the Ederle Swim were done solo. And, it was a good learning experience in preparation for Ederle because it was cold, the water was choppy, and it was hard work. Aside from the Kingdom swim, I also swam a five km swim at Chicago in September, which was a lot of fun.
K: What do you learn from these swims and what are the challenges?
G: The challenges are the weather, the air and water temperatures, and water conditions—you have to adapt your stroke to the conditions. If the conditions are cool, you have to work harder to stay warm. If it is sunny, you can enjoy the warmth. I train in lousy conditions as well as good ones, training for the worst conditions and hoping for the best.
I also learned how to not work myself too hard; I work in heart rate zone two so I don’t burn out early in the swim. People always say that I must have been tired when I finished the 17.5 mile Ederle swim, but I wasn’t. My spinning class instructor said to save something for the end, and I did. Cross training is important and different instructors have different strategies and insights for training and competing.
The mental preparation is probably the hardest part. I trained so that my body never knew when the workout was over.
K: How do you approach preparing a training plan?
G: For Ederle, I did three swims per day to put in the distance, and some days I combined swimming with cross training.
I found the Facebook site of United States Masters Swimming very helpful, as it has a menu for open water swimming with marathon swimming tips and tricks. Through that site I connected with Jim Barber, who was extremely helpful. He was preparing to do a double crossing of the Straight of Gibraltar. He shared his training program. He has a family and works and travels and still fits in training and events. He shared his workouts and told me how to taper, which was invaluable. He swims longer distances and is faster than me. I took his advice and extrapolated for my level and it worked. It was so helpful. People on the site do English Channel swims and many other big and small swims. His lessons were invaluable. For example he suggested that I stop every 15 minutes to drink something so as not to become hypothermic in cold water and that made the difference during some of my events.
K: What keeps you going?
G: I set big goals and smaller, in-between goals leading up to the big events. The Chicago swim in September was an interim goal and mostly was just for fun. Even getting to a workout and finishing it is a small goal leading to the big one. They must be reasonable goals.
K: How do you keep focused in the long swims?
G: I find that there is no time to be bored. There is always something different to see when you are swimming; the scenery is changing. Also, I am busy placing my hands properly, focusing on every stroke, getting my breath when the waves wash over me, and staying in sync with my guide kayak. I break each swim down to 15 minute intervals punctuated with drinks, like Boost, at the top of the hour and other drinks in between. I thought I can do anything for 7 minutes, and in the water I found that 15 minutes is a good interval. Each drink is a treat for completing each 15 minutes of swimming.
I sometimes sing while swimming, or talk to myself when tired or strained, and I make an effort to change from negative to positive thoughts. During Ederle, I swam past a very large ship and it scared me by its size, so I focused on my guide kayak. Ederle took a lot of mental effort. I was warned about and prepared to encounter the wood and flotsam from Hurricane Irene. The wildlife in water freaks me out—fish, sharks, jelly fish and stuff like that, so I have to control my thoughts.
K: I read that you plan to swim around Manhattan?
G: Yes, it is a 28 mile swim counterclockwise around Manhattan in June 2012. I will be doing a lot more training to prepare for it than I did for Ederle. I will do a lot of long-course swims, and regular cross training: spinning and some weight training for strength. I also have to lose some body fat.
K: Who do you look up to?
G: Everyone I swim with is an inspiration. Everyone has different reasons for swimming. All swimmers are amazing when you stop to think that some people don’t want to get their faces wet or be seen in swim suits. Some people ask me why I do this, get up at 4:30 a.m. to train. There are older, retired swimmers who are doing ironman races, and it’s a way of life for them. They taught me a lot. They have suffered injuries and have bounced back; it’s amazing.
I want to mention Brent Hobbs, who I was introduced to at the Nanaimo MSC nationals in 2010. He gave me his card and told me to contact him at any time and he would help me prepare for the English Channel. It blew me away having him say that as if it was no problem. He was so positive and supportive. I’ve learned that if you think you can do it then try. It doesn’t matter if you can’t finish it; it matters that you trained and tried.
K: Do you have any tips for those thinking about open water swimming; especially rank beginners?
G: If you are comfortable swimming outside, look for outdoor swim events on the Internet and sign up and just do it. You will be amazed at how much fun you will have and how well organized these events are. I see people at events who I wouldn’t judge capable to do a long swim and they do it, no problem. And if you don’t feel comfortable in open water, swim with a kayaker or another swimmer until it becomes natural.
K: Any last messages you want to share with readers?
G: Yes. I think swimming is the best sport. I always liked that in swimming, you get to lie down! As you age, you become more patient with yourself, and I have done things I never thought possible.
K: Thank you Gen.
Web Sites Gen uses:
NYCswim.org (Ederle and other swim events)
openwatersource.com
http://dailynews.openwaterswimming.com/?m=1
http://www.mastersswimmingontario.ca/openwater/openwater.
www.usms.org/longdist/
10kswim.com
USMS OWS Marathon swimming tips and tricks. (On Facebook)
Oannes Swim Camps: www.npconsultants.com/oannesswims/owstc/index.html
Camp Akomak: www.campakomak.com/
Kerry Smith swims with Technosport in Ottawa. He is a corporate communications consultant and life coach. He is a former figure skating champion and coach, whitewater kayaker and instructor, and now does occasional workshops on butterfly stoke. He can be reached at kerry_smith@rogers.com.
October 30, 2011
Technosport December 4,2011 swim meet Meet Package and Information and
Technosport January 29, 2012 swim meet Meet Package and Information along with
Technosport March 4, 20212 swim meet Meet Package and Information
has be sanctioned by the MSO.
Online Registration
October 18, 2011
Alderwood Teddy Bares 37th Annual SCY Swim Meet Meet Package and Information hosted by the Alderwood Teddy Bares has been sanctioned by the MSO for January 22, 2012.
October 18, 2011
North York Gators Pentathlon Meet Package and Information hosted by the North York Masters Aquatic Club has been sanctioned by the MSO for December 11, 2011
October 16, 2011
2012 Nepean Masters Winterlude
Long Course Swim Meet Online Registation Meet Package and Information hosted by the Nepean Master Swim Club has been sanctioned by the MSO for February 26, 2012.
October 7, 2011
The 1st Annual Splash 'n Dash Meet Package and Information hosted by Swim Ottawa has been sanctioned by the MSO for October 22, 2011.
October 6, 2011
Subject: Ederle Swim
Hi:
I finally got to swim today despite serious lightning which delayed some
boats from arriving on time. Water temperature was 69f at Sandy Hook which
naturally dropped several degrees in the deeper sections. The water is clean
except for debris from Hurricane Irene which was pretty extensive. I was
wearing most of a tree at one point just past the Verrazano Narrows Bridge
and my trusty kayaker Bill deftly avoided the larger logs.
The swim itself is long but there is a good tide assist for which I was
thankful. The number of times I asked myself why I was doing this can't be
counted but with each surge it felt like flying and the dark thoughts were
set aside for a while.
As we neared Manhattan I passed tankers at anchor, channel markers and best
of all Lady Liberty! She is a sight to behold. My boat captain Anthony and
his wife Denise were amazing as they had to fend off several dozen boats
which were making a beeline for me.
Complete strangers were so kind and encouraging as we pulled into the
finish: they were cheering and clapping and O Canada was sung twice!
Crazy Americans!
I am really pleased with the whole event.
My time is approx 6:33 but official results are not up yet.
http://www.nycswim.org/Event/Event.aspx?event_id=2112&from=results
Cheers Genevieve Mackwood of Technosport.
September 28, 2011
From time to time, the MSO brings to the attention of its members certain events which, though not officially endorsed or sanctioned by MSO, are likely to be of interest to members. The following may be of interest to MSO members:
PP Travel and Training (Swim Camp Cruise)
8-18 March 2012.
This unique camp offers enjoyable, challenging and innovative training on many different
islands in the sunny Caribbean. What a perfect way to combine quality family-time with
outdoor training experience in a new environment –the ideal holiday! Click here for more information.
September 21, 2011
EOMAC Semi-Serious Seven Meet Package and Information hosted by the Etobicoke Olympium Masters Aquatic Club (EOMAC) has been sanctioned by the MSO for November 13, 2011.
September 14, 2011
THORNHILL MASTERS 1ST ANNUAL INVITATIONAL Meet Package and Information hosted by The Thornhill Masters Aquatic Club has been sanctioned by the MSO for May 6, 2012.
September 13, 2011
Brantford Fall Sprint Splash Meet Package and Information hosted by The Brantford Aquatic Club has been sanctioned by the MSO for October 15, 2011.
www.brantfordaquaticclub.ca
August 22, 2011
Lynn Marshall: Canada’s Second Inductee into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame
Interview by Kerry Smith of Technosport Ottawa
The link to the IMSHOF is: www.ishof.org/awards/INTLMASTERS.html.
Lynn Marshall is one of seven inductees to be honoured by the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) annual ceremony on Friday evening, September 16, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Jacksonville, Florida, in conjunction with the United States Aquatic Sports Convention. Lynn becomes the second Canadian Masters swimmer to be inducted into the IMSHOF, and is already a member of the Masters Swimming Canada Hall of Excellence.
Since 1986 Lynn Marshall, of Canada, has been among the world’s Top 10 Masters swimmers every year and has set five long course and 23 short course FINA Masters World Records. She has done all this while being a full-time professor at Carleton University.
I sat down with Lynn in Ottawa on August 10, 2011 to discuss her life and athletic career.
Q1. Congratulations on your induction into the IMSHF. How did you first find out and how do you feel about the induction? Are family members planning to be there?
I was about to have cataract surgery, and I got an e-card from Bonnie Pronk congratulating me on my induction into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame. I hadn’t even been notified. The Hall of Fame contacted me the next day.
My parents are planning to be there; they live in Victoria B.C.
Q2. What influence has your family had on your athletic career, and how have they influenced your attitude and way of thinking about training and competition?
My parents are very supportive of whatever I want to do. As kids, they wanted us to be able to swim so that we had confidence at the cottage and learning to sail. My parents are still active; mom at 75 and dad at 80; they still go hiking. All our family members are active—sailing, curling, tennis, cricket, figure skating, etc.
I was born in England and came to Canada with my parents as British subjects who could live and vote in Canada back then. When the law changed, my sister my parents and I became Canadians.
My parents are supportive. My parents became involved in swimming because they didn’t just want to be spectators. They became meet officials. They were never competitive swimmers.
Q3. You have been a masters swimmer since 1986. What changes and/or improvements have you seen in the sport? What do you see as the sport’s strengths and weaknesses? What improvements would you like to see?
I turned 25 in 1986 when I lived in Manchester, and a friend encouraged me to become a masters swimmer. What has changed is that there are many more teams and swimmers. In Manchester, I trained with an age group team and competed as a masters swimmer under a team based in London. Now there are teams in almost every major community.
Strengths – inclusiveness. You meet people from every walk of life. What is very interesting is seeing people in their life outside of swimming. It is a supportive atmosphere with no pressure to compete unless you want to. The social aspect is important as is the health aspect of regular exercise.
As for weaknesses, the size of competitions can get out of hand, making it hard to stay on schedule. That in turn can lead to making it difficult to swim really well, for instance, when you share lanes and can’t use the starting block in longer events. Sometimes you swim late into the evening. Those things can make it difficult to swim your best and perhaps set records. It seems that the sport has grown bigger and faster than facilities and organizations can accommodate.
Improvements – One thing that I think would be nice is to have all swimmers have three timers, not just the people who are trying for a record setting swim. Either it is an official swim or it isn’t. Having officials calling for a third timer and having people asking what time you are going for, just before you swim, is distracting and causes unnecessary stress.
Q4. In your profile, you list the accomplishment of a 1st Dan Black Belt in Judo. Tell me about that? How has it influenced your swimming?
When I went to Manchester for grad work, the swim team was kind of Mickey Mouse. If I wanted to train seriously, I needed to swim with an age group team. Socially, I needed some activity with adults, so I joined the Judo group and in about two and a half years, I attained the black belt. I had the advantage that there were fewer women in judo and I was bigger than most and my weight was an advantage, particularly once I got them down on the floor.
I broke my neck in 1993 and I don’t do judo now. I broke it during a triathlon. I was leading the race at the beginning of the cycling leg and following a police car when an elderly man drove out between me and the police car and he slammed on the brakes when he saw the police car. I braked, but not in time to avoid slamming into his car.
Q5. You also list flying trapeze in your profile. How does that figure into your life?
I went to the Dominican Republic with a group of Carleton Masters women, where it was an activity at the resort. When we got back, I traveled to Montreal to do it but it was difficult to keep up the schedule, so I dropped it.
Q6. Aside from your academic pursuits, you list reading is important to you. What role does it have in your life and athletic pursuits?
I don’t have a TV, so I read for entertainment, to relax and to get ready to sleep. Reading about swimming is helpful. I subscribe to a couple of swimming magazines, and I try some of the techniques myself and sometimes I get the swimmers I coach to try them.
Q7. In swimming, what was your proudest moment so far? What was your most discouraging moment?
The highest point for me so far was the five kilometre open water swim that I won in the 1992 Worlds in Indianapolis. As a woman, I was not allowed to be seeded in the first two waves. I came in first overall by eight seconds, beating all the men and women. It was interesting because I became an instant celebrity for the rest of the week with people coming up to me asking for my autograph. It was a relief, though, to go home and back to life as usual.
The lowest point was in July 1993 after I broke my neck in the triathlon. I went home after the triathlon in Kingston, Ontario, and the hospital visit not knowing that I had a broken neck. They misread the X-ray. I got a call from the Kingston hospital the next day saying that I had to get to a hospital immediately. Then, I was lying in my hospital bed and overheard the interns in the hallway say, “Yeah, she used to be a really good swimmer.” My heart sank.
My freestyle has never been the same as I don’t have as much neck mobility, but it worked out in the end.
Q8. Would you summarize for me your philosophy of life and sport?
As far as sports goes, even if you swim for fitness, you need to have goals. At Carleton, where I coach, I try to reward people for their goals whatever they may be. If getting your name in the newsletter as having perfect attendance is your goal, I encourage it. The goals don’t have to be super lofty; the main thing is to have goals that help you be active. It has to be something convenient and that you enjoy.
As for life in general, you have to figure out your focus and, as life changes, figure out your priorities and set your goals.
Q9. Who are your swimming and sports idols?
It was great to hear last year that Bonnie Pronk would be the first Canadian inducted into the International Masters Hall of Fame
In 1980, Vladimir Salnikov broke the 1500 meter long course freestyle barrier of 15 minutes. He missed the 1984 games due to the Russian boycott, but in 1988, when he was 28 years old, everyone said he was too old to compete at the Olympics. The USSR officials said that if he wanted to compete, they would send him. He didn’t break his own record that year, but he won again. When he walked into the athletes’ village cafeteria late that evening, everyone stood up and applauded him. It was so poignant that it brought me to tears, and to this day thinking about it still does.
Tom Watson, at over 60 years of age won the Masters Golf tournament. Anyone who is older and accomplishes something tremendous impresses me.
June Krauser, an American masters swimmer, inspires me. In her 70s and 80s, she tried to beat her times in at least one event each year. Not only did she swim all strokes, she swam the toughest events including the 400 metre individual medley, and the 800 and 1500 metre freestyle events.
Q10. What’s the next challenge for you?
I got the news of the induction on the day of my cataract surgery, which took me away from swimming for three weeks. I have only been back in the pool for two and a half weeks, so I have to get back into shape. I missed the 1500 metre short course at provincials by 1.9 seconds, so I have to get ready to try again. Part of the challenge is to find a meet that has optimal circumstances, that is, it allows a start from the block, assigns one swimmer per lane and has cool water. It is surprisingly rare.
Thank you, Lynn, for taking time for this interview and again, congratulations on your induction.
Summary of Lynn's Masters Records as of August 1st, 2011
Since 1986, Lynn has set many World, National, and Provincial records in a variety of events in age groups 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, and 50-54.
2011 (50-54 Age Group):
This year Lynn has set 13 new World Records in 11 different events. One (SCM 100bk) has already been broken, so she currently holds 10: SCM: 400fs, 800fs, 200bk, 200fl, 400IM; and LCM: 400fs, 800fs, 1500fs, 200bk, 400IM.
She has also set 34 new National Records in 19 different events: 200fs, 400fs, 800fs, 1500fs, 200bk, 100fl, 200fl, 200IM, and 400IM, both SCM and LCM; plus SCM 100bk.
And, she has set 59 new Provincial Records in 31 of the 35 different events (all except for 50br and 100br, both SCM and LCM).
Pre-2011 (25-29 through 45-49 Age Groups):While many of her old records have been broken, Lynn currently holds one 45-49 World Record: SCM 1500fs. She also holds 46 Nationals records and 76 Provincial records set in 2010 and before.
Kerry Smith swims with Technosport in Ottawa. He is a corporate communications consultant and life coach. He is a former figure skating champion and coach, whitewater kayaker and instructor, and now does occasional workshops on butterfly stoke.
________________________________________________________________
June 24, 2011
NORMAC (Norseman Masters Aquatic Club) is looking for full time and summer swimmers. Contact Margot Wheeler at
mwheel@toronto.ca for further information.
June 23, 2011
The Welland Open Water Swim (4 Bridge Swim) Provincial OWS Championships 3K 5K 10K Meet Package and Information scheduled for August 7 Now has implemented an Online Registration
North Toronto Masters Swim Club is running a Summer Training Camp for MSO Swimmers at the Donald Summerville Pool in the Beaches which is located at the foot of Woodbine Ave.
Open to all Masters Swimmers.
Must bring proof of updated MSO #
Swim Times: Monday and Wednesday: 8:05 PM to 9:45 PM
Saturday: 7:50 AM to 9:45 AM
Cost: $10.00 a swim
Information: www.swimordie.ca/summerville
Contact: Doug Vanderby - 416.464.9706
June 22, 2011
From time to time, the MSO brings to the attention of its members certain events which, though not officially endorsed or sanctioned by MSO, are likely to be of interest to members. The following may be of interest to MSO members:
Technosport is hosting three open water swims in 2011. Meets are not sanction by the MSO. Information is listed below:
June 25, 2011 - 2 K OPEN WATER SWIM Meet Package and Information
July 23, 2011 - 3 K OPEN WATER SWIM Meet Package and Information
August 13, 2011 - 2 K OPEN WATER SWIM Meet Package and Information
June 22, 2011
Due to the postal strike, entries for the July 16th Bright’s Grove Open Water Swim Meet Meet Package and Information can be e-mailed to Sue Weir at sweir@xcelco.on.ca. Payment will be accepted at the meet. For anyone who has entered by regular mail, e-mail confirmation would be appreciated.
June 15, 2011
Due to the postal strike, entries for the July 9 2011 Sunset Outdoor Long Course Swim Meet Meet Package and Information meet can be e-mailed to Paul Cappa at swim4life@isp.ca . Payment will be accepted at the meet. For anyone who has entered by regular mail, e-mail confirmation would be appreciated.
The entry deadline for the July 9 Sunset Outdoor Long Course Masters Meet in London has been extended to 9:00 pm on Friday, June 24.
June 15, 2011
Masters Swimmers:
We have recently lost one of our long time Masters Swimmers.
Harry Class has died at the age of 95.
Harry was a bit to frail to compete the last few years but did compete for the Granite well into his 90's.
Harry had a long list of athletic accomplishments over his life including being an International Diver, Coach and Masters Swimmer (too many records to even count). He is in the Ontario Sport Hall of Fame and the Granite Club's Hall of Fame.
Harry was one of the nicest men I have ever met.
You can go to the link below to see Swim Ontario tribute to Harry.
http://www.swimontario.com/news_detail.php?id=2399
Bill Durrant
Granite Masters Swim Team
June 8, 2011
EOMAC Summer Splash Meet Package and Information hosted by EOMAC has been sanctioned by the MSO for June 26, 2011.
Burlington Masters Winter Splash 2012 Meet Package and Information
hosted by the Burlington Master has been sanctioned by the MSO for February 12, 2012.
June 5, 2011
Greetings swimmers!
Just a reminder: Entries for the Colonies Zone Championship must be postmarked by Monday June 6 or received by Wednesday June 8, 2011. Late entries will be accepted until Friday Jun 17 (with a late fee).You can register online at http://www.middleburymuffintops.org/LCMChamps/Default.aspx
Over 75 people are already signed up for the Saturday Social at the Middlebury Inn--be sure to sign up now if you want to attend this fun event! Space is limited and we had to turn people away last year....
Feel free to forward this email to other swimmers.
Best wishes in your training and we hope to see you all at Middlebury in a few weeks!
- Middlebury Muffintops
Mike Delaney
271 High Meadows Rd.
North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473
802-777-7634
May 11, 2011
2011 Sunset Outdoor Long Course Swim Meett Meet Package and Information hosted by the London Silver Dolphins has been sanctioned by the MSO for July 9, 2011.
L.O.S.T. Race Meet Package and Information hosted by the Lake Ontario Swim Team has been sanctioned by the MSO for August 13, 2011.
Bright's Grove 1.5 km & 3km Open Water Swim Meet Package and Information hosted by the TYMS has been sanctioned by the MSO for July 16, 2011.
May 3, 2011
Welland Open Water Swim (4 Bridge Swim) Provincial OWS Championships 3K, 5K, 10K Meet Package and Information
hosted by the Welland Masters Swim Team and Brock Aquatics has been sanctioned by the MSO for August 7, 2011.
April 22, 2011
EOMAC Try-Meet
Sunday May 8, 2011 Meet Package and Information hosted by the Etobicoke Olympium Masters Aquatic Club (EOMAC) has been sanctioned by the MSO for May 8, 2011 . This Try-Meet is with THOR and BURL.
April 20, 2011
From time to time, the MSO brings to the attention of its members certain events which, though not officially endorsed or sanctioned by MSO, are likely to be of interest to members. The following may be of interest to MSO members:
During the past 4 months, Masters swimmers at the Metro Central YMCA in Toronto have been very fortunate to have a student intern from Dalhousie University as their swim coach. Her workouts are available online: www.renatajz.com and so if you're looking for workouts to follow when swimming on your own, feel free to download one from this website.
Bill Eadie
April 5, 2011
Etobicoke (EOMAC) AND THE Aurora Ducks have come forth to host the 2012 Ontario Masters Swimming Championship. Information about the 2012 meet will be forthcoming in the months ahead.
March 11, 2011
From time to time, the MSO brings to the attention of its members certain events which, though not officially endorsed or sanctioned by MSO, are likely to be of interest to members. The following 2011 Colonies Zone Long Course Meters Champsionship may be of interest to MSO members:
Greetings Swimmers!
Just wanted to let you know that online entries have opened for the Colonies Zone LCM Championships...Feel free to check out the meet website for the entry link and all other meet info:
http://www.middleburymuffintops.org/LCMChamps/Default.aspx
Also a quick reminder to book your rooms at the Middlebury Inn and the Courtyard Marriott soon. Those rooms fill quickly and the discounted block is only held until May 24.
Best wishes in your training and we hope to see you all at Middlebury this summer!
- Middlebury Muffintops
March 4, 2011
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL CLUBS
The deadline for individual registrations for the 2011 Provincial Championship has been extended to March 11th 2011 All relays must be in by then as well as there will be no deck entries for any events.Clubs have until MIDNIGHT Sunday March 13th to get their relays in.Thank you
NMSC
February 15, 2011
MSO Coaches Clinic: March 25, Nepean Sportsplex, Ottawa.
Coaches, Assistant Coaches and anyone interested in coaching masters swimmers:
MSO is sponsoring a coaching clinic to be held in conjunction with the MSO Provincial Masters Swimming Championships 2011 in Ottawa. The clinic will take place at the Nepean Sportsplex, the same pool hosting the provincials. The program will be led by Duane Jones, PhD, one of the best-know coaches in Canada, who has over 45 years of coaching experience. He has guided his team, Technosport, to three successive first-place finishes at the MSC Canadian Masters Swimming Championships.
The program will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting with a classroom session and then moving to the pool. Topics covered are listed below. The entry fee is only $30, lunch included. The program is open to coaches from anywhere, not just Ontario. Registration is limited to 15 participants, so act now!
Sign up today, or obtain further information by emailing mso.clinic@gmail.com.
- Establishing and managing a masters team
- Retaining and motivating masters swimmers
- Workout design for different levels of swimmers
- Cycles of training over the season
- Working with triathletes and open water swimmers
- Dryland training and injury prevention
- Long- and short-axis technique
- Using video
- Meet preparation and racing tips.
January 16, 2011
HOLD THAT DATE: Masters Coaching Clinic—March 25 Ottawa.
MSO will be holding a clinic for Masters Coaches, those who assist coaches and anyone interested in getting into Masters swim coaching. The program will be in the morning and early afternoon of Friday, March 25 in Ottawa. The Ontario Provincial Championships start late that afternoon in Ottawa hosted by the Nepean Masters Swim Club. Experienced recognized Masters Coaches will conduct the clinic. More details regarding registration and the program will be posted on this site shortly. Reserve the date and combine this clinic with your trip to the Provincial Championships!!
January 12, 2011
Milton Masters Spring Splash Meet Package and Information Entry Form hosted by the Milton Masters Aquatic Club has been sanctioned by the MSO for March 6, 2011 .
January 7, 2011
2011 Ontario Masters Swimming Championship Meet Package and Information Online Registration
hosted by the Nepean Masters Swim Club has been sanctioned by the MSO for March 25 to 27, 2011.
January 6, 2011
EOMAC 15th Annual 1500m Swim for Heart and Stroke Meet Package and Information hosted by the Etobicoke Olympium Masters Aquatic Club has been sanctioned by the MSO for March 13, 2011.
January 2, 2011
Top Ten Yards Records for 2010 have been posted. MSO Top TEN Yards Records
.
.JPG)
.jpg)
