Message from Darwin - Great Bay Masters

Thanksgiving seems to have added much needed extra weight to my mid-section and
my chicken legs have been fattened into turkey thighs. With my extra buoyancy
and power I am now ready to take on a full program of 50s at BU!

We are running close behind our friendly rivals, the Blue Lobstahs of Maine, in
registrations for the BU meet. There are 2 days left until the registration
deadline so it's time for all of you who are still on the fence to get on deck
for BU. Last year we had an outstanding turnout, particularly for team relays,
which delivered a narrow and well deserved victory over our crustaceous
competitors. We have the core of a strong team again this year, so please JOIN
US for some FUN and fast 50s.

It's game time!! Let's GO Team GBM!!

Darwin

BU Registration:
https://www.meetresults.com/entries/

Thanksgiving week practices

**** GBM Enews Update ****

No practice at Portsmouth Wednesday 11/23 because of early pool closure at 4pm.
(Only one lap lane after 7:30am Wednesday 11/23.) Pool closed Thanksgiving.
(Portsmouth Pool: 427-1546)

Dover Pool closed Thanksgiving. No coach at Dover Sunday 11/27. Practice times
as usual. Design your own workout - or email if you would like workout
suggestions. (Dover Pool: 541-6441)

UNH schedule
http://campusrec.unh.edu/reservations/index.cfm?action=month&date=&locationid=17

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Its Motivation Time!

My motivation has been under serious question by my lane mates recently, I have
been told that the last email was weak and I have been asked 'D, where's the
HYPE???'
Well, like many of you I have had family and business obligations, I'm carrying
a few extra pounds, my chicken legs are weak and I'm in pretty mediocre shape.
To make things worse, Guy has diagnosed me with that scourge of masters
swimming, a case of MDS – Motivational Deficit Syndrome.
Despite these set-backs I will be heading down to BU for the weekend. I know
there won't be any PRs and that really doesn't matter. I am going because no
matter how I feel, whether I just swim a 50 or if I swim 10 events, this team
gets me fired up to have FUN! That's what makes me a team player and eager to
show up at game time.
Last summer I ran into an old swim teammate's parents at the store. I hadn't
seen Kate since 1980's. A week later I ran into them again at the dump. I took
this as a providential sign (meetings at the dump are like that for me) so I got
Kate's email address, and a few emails later she met up with us a Portsmouth
Pool for her first serious swim practice in 2 decades. Like most of us she has
a busy schedule with work and family and is lucky to practice once a week. I'm
happy to report that after some gentle encouragement (only 14 emails, 6 phone
calls and 3 texts) she signed up for GBM and on December 10th at BU will be
making her first start off the blocks in 25 years! Welcome to the TEAM Kate!
Friday I swam with Bart. After he had crushed us in sprint practice he told me
'You beat me by 1 tenth of a second at the Portsmouth meet and I'm coming after
you in the 50 at BU!' Now I'm thinking 'This is the guy who was in Lane 5 only
2 years ago??? What an athlete this guy is!' Raw talent, hard work and
DEDICATION and he is flying!
As many of you know, Paul had a major physical setback last spring. You'd never
know that now – he's been training regularly, swimming in the mini-meets and
only last month ran a marathon in the snow! He's entered for the BU meet. What
an amazing comeback and INSPIRATION for our team!
GBM has over 300 swimmers on the mailing list, yet we struggle to get 50 to the
BU meet. So much talent wasting away on the bench! My goal is to get you off
the bench and into the GAME! Whether it's for the weekend, a day, or just a
drop-in for a quick 50 between Xmas shopping and a night out in Beantown, I
want you to sign up and join us for some fun and some laughs.
There are 3 days left to sign up for the best masters meet, with the best team
at one of the best swimming venues in New England! I look forward to seeing you
there!
Happy Thanksgiving!! Go GBM!!
Darwin

Meet entries:
https://www.meetresults.com/entries/

Order of events:
Friday 12/9
800m freestyle
Saturday 12/10
Men 400 Meter Free
100 Meter IM
Women 200 Meter Free
200 Meter Breaststroke
100 Meter Butterfly
200 Meter Medley Relay
Women 400m IM
50 Meter Freestyle
200 Meter Backstroke
50 Meter Breaststroke
200 Meter Butterfly
400 Meter Free Relay

2010 Sunday 12/11
Women 400m IM
200 Meter IM
Men 200m Free
50 Meter Backstroke
100 Meter Breaststroke
200 Meter Free Relay
50 Meter Butterfly
100 Meter Freestyle
100 Meter Backstroke
Men 400m IM
400 Meter Medley Relay
800 Meter Free Relay

Open Water Program at PIP

Train for the Challenge – Open Water Program

The Indoor Pool in Portsmouth is launching a program to help swimmers progress
in their open water ambitions.
The program will kick off with a seminar/meeting on Saturday December 3rd at
9am-10am at PIP where the program will be outlined. The program will begin on
Saturday, January 7th and will involve training sessions every other Saturday at
6-7am through to April/May. There is no charge for the seminar, and the program
fee will be $7 drop-in or $50 for a 10 times punch pass (pool membership not
required). In the summer the plan is to have 4 sessions of ocean swimming with
kayak support. The overall aim of the program is:

'to support swimmers and triathletes with limited open water experience who want
to develop their open water swimming readiness, skills and capabilities. The
program is designed to assist athletes in following a structured approach to
preparing for a significant ocean swimming race, the Nubble Light Challenge, a
2.4 mile ocean race in York, ME held in early July.
This is the target event of the program however this program is also intended
for all swimmers who wish to prepare for other open water swims or triathlons
that represent a significant 'step up' compared their current experience.'

The Nubble Light Challenge will be held next on July 14th, 2012 at 9am.
Registration will open next month.
Bob Fernald and Guy Davis, along with other volunteer mentors/coaches, are
providing support to the program.
Please contact the Portsmouth Indoor Pool (603) 427 1546 or Guy
(davicass@aol.com) or Bob if you would like further information.

BU Meet - Message from President Darwin

Hello Team!

It's BU time! If you have not yet signed up for the meet, which takes place at
BU December 9th-11th, you can sign up online at:
https://www.meetresults.com/entries/

Entries must be in by NOVEMBER 23 to avoid late fee.

Last year we rallied 56 swimmers. As usual, we are planning on having lots of
fun and laughs at the meet and maybe even doing some fast swimming, so please
join us for a few races and relays over the weekend.

GO GBM!!!

Darwin

Notes:
1. Team seating: Please come sit with the team. You may want to bring a
folding chair as pool deck chairs can be limited. Look out for the GBM team banner.
2. Fluids and snacks: There will be a concession stand but you will want to
bring some snacks (e.g. energy bars, dried fruit, bananas) and drinks (water,
energy drinks) to keep you going through the meet.
3. Keeping warm: Keeping cool is usually easy, but sometimes keeping warm can
be a challenge. A warm hat and warm socks with good pool deck shoes can help.
Remember to bring enough towels/chammy swim towels to get dry between swims.
4. Sadly the era of 'Body suits' is but a distant memory. Guys can wear jammers
(waist to knees), briefs or shorts. Gals can wear suits from shoulder to knee.
5. Warm up: It is a good idea to get into the race pool to get used to the turns
and the starting blocks before you race. Coach can give you warm up
suggestions. There is a small (and crowded) pool for warm up and swim down
between races throughout the meet.
6. Don't miss your races: Be sure to check your heats and follow progress of the
meet so you don't miss your race! You may want to watch a few heat starts
before your heat to see how the starter is handling the starts. Rules require
you to be not moving when the starting signal is given.
7. Please email us or talk to coach Crystie if you have any questions or concerns.

USMS and GBM Membership Renewal

Hi everyone. The system is now available to sign up or renew membership to US
Masters Swimming and Great Bay Masters. This will be good through 12/31/2012,
including the remainder of this year (if you are not yet a member).

Step-by-step for new members:
1. Go to
https://www.clubassistant.com/club/usms.cfm?CFID=4228230&CFTOKEN=6187513b45a64ad8-7DE89B73-BBA1-3C0C-2125790D4429EFE1
2. Click 'No, I have never been a member', then click the 'Continue' box.
3. On the next page, click the box for age eligibility, and below Click next to
'Yes, I know the club's official abbreviation' and type 'GBM' into the box, then
'Continue'
4. The next page is a confirmation page. You should see 'If the above is
correct, select Great Bay Masters Swimming, Inc (GBM) to continue.' Click on
Great Bay Masters Swimming, Inc. (GBM) to proceed.
5. You will now proceed to registration where you will be asked to fill out
brief biographical information, and supply payment details. Required fees are
USMS $31, plus LMSC $5 plus Great Bay Membership $15 for a total of $51. (You
will also be asked if you would like to make other voluntary donations and
purchase USMS merchandise.)

Please contact one of the club officers if you need any assistance.

BU MEET ENTRIES NOW OPEN! GE READY TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER MICHAEL PHELPS OR
JENNY THOMPSON :)

https://www.meetresults.com/entries/

GBM practices @ Seacoast YMCA stopping

GBM practices @ Seacoast YMCA stopping

Regrettably there has not been sufficient interest in the GBM practices at the
Seacoast YMCA so there will be no further coached GBM practices there.

Please remember that there are practices at Portsmouth Indoor Pool on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 7-8pm.