The year 2020 will go down in posterity as a challenging one. United States Masters Swimming is mandated to have an Annual Meeting, but COVID-19 has the world by the tail. Travel is limited and group meetings are forbidden, forcing us to make appropriate adjustments. 

Mary Kahn has been a coach for Davis Aquatic Masters since 2009. During that time she has exemplified what it means to be a leader, a mentor, a counselor, an advocate and a friend. Her presence on deck has been, and continues to be, settling and inspirational for the myriad of swimmers she connects with each day. She is also a leader by example when she is in the pool, helping to forge and sustain an atmosphere of competitiveness and supportiveness among fellow swimmers. She consistently exudes an aura of approachability and a genuine interest in helping those around her. Even under tremendous duress and adversity, Mary exemplifies what it means to be outstanding in the way she responds to and resolves both ongoing and emergent issues. The totality of her unique skills are unparalleled and her inspiration is unquestionable.

The 2020 Annual Celebration and Meeting is going virtual this year. In addition to a very engaging program, we are looking to capture the unusual dynamics of the year and memorialize the ways in which our members have adapted to these strange times. 

These days, the closest I’ve come to going for a swim has been going for a walk through the park and pausing at the chain link fence protecting my local pool from people like me. When the Shelter-in-Place order was first announced, I had just returned from a lovely swim and felt great. How long could this lockdown possibly last?

It’s lasted long enough for me to revisit many of my favorite swimming-related books, as well as dive into a few new ones. Below is a list of some classic, must-read, books as well as a few new, or lesser-known ones that deserve your attention. I’m an open-water baby, so my picks lean towards tales of wild swimming, stories about endurance athletes and books about the healing nature of water. I hope you’ll find a few on this list to tide you over until you are next able to jump in and enjoy the water yourself.

Nine years ago, Pacific Masters Swimming created an event to celebrate all that has transpired in the year. Occurring each November, it is the organization’s opportunity to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of our members while giving something back. We devote a day to immersing in all things swimming. As the largest Local Masters Swim Committee in the country, our programs, activities, events and especially our people, are the best. This year’s celebration followed the success of prior years. The day starts with both pool and dryland workouts followed by a technical talk, a catered lunch, a keynote address by one of our sport’s luminaries, all capped off with the year’s final LMSC business meeting and recognition ceremony.

St. Mary's College, Moraga, Ca.

November 17, 2019

Getting up at 5 AM on a Sunday morning is only worth it-- if you get to swim. The Annual meeting of the Pacific Masters, held at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, provided that opportunity and so much more.

The program began with two exercise choices: a swim practice conducted by Stu and Mary Kahn and a dry land exercise class led by Chris Chorak. Divided into two groups, the sessions were held to manageable numbers.

Carol Macpherson is retiring as Rinconada’s Coach after 47 years on the job. She founded Rinconada Masters, along with Cindy Baxter, in 1972, as one of the Bay Area’s first Masters Swim Teams. Cindy retired in 1999, leaving Carol as Head Coach for the last twenty years.

Carol has been an outstanding swimmer on her own, competing for the Santa Clara Swim Club, under the tutelage of George Haines. She has attended, competed and coached approximately 40 National Championships and 10 International meets. She swam in the Maui Channel Relay in 1998. Her last FINA International Competition was in 2008, in Perth, Australia. She took eight swimmers with her and she personally won 2 seconds and 2 fourths. 

Teamwork, treasure and trust exemplify the SCM Sprint Pentathlon in Folsom. No one could deny the excellent teamwork between Sacramento Masters and Sierra Marlin Masters as they joined forces to host this meet. From the moment you parked your car at the Folsom Aquatic Center and walked towards the pool, there was a sense that something very special was about to take place.

The first impression of this pool was a sparkling, clean facility populated by welcoming and sincerely hospitable folks, attentive to incoming guests. We felt treasured. The Meet Director actually smiled as he juggled a new USMS registration with cell phone in hand and a lineup of questions from different people. Throughout the meet, the announcer was witty and shared bits and facts about our world.