Past Articles

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Report: Lake Berryessa OW - 2010

2010 USMS National Championship OW

2010 Parkside Mile Evaluation: "Excellent"

Joinville, Galine Farewell Photos (On a separate page)

Donald L. Galine (1945 - 2010)

Daily Journal Article - Marlins Relocation (2-page PDF file)

Laurin Weisenthal is Back!

Special Announcement

2010 Marlins Registration Packet

Three Marlins Make a Splash at Rinconada

Go You Bemidji Beavers!

Report: 2009 Swim and Eat Classic (On a separate page)

Da Vinci Code Workout

2009 Santa Cruz Roughwater (On a separate page)

2009 Trans-Tahoe Relays (On a separate page)

Report: 2009 PMS LCM Championships

Four Marlins Compete at 2009 Lake Mendocino 2-Mile OW

Report: 2009 DAM Lake Berryessa OW (On a separate page)

Marlins Nominate Ray Laughlin as Coach of the Year

2009 Founders' Day Brunch - Note from Nancy Littlefield

2009 USMS Nationals - Results

City Budget Gap Threatens Joinville

A Mile a Day in 2008

Friday, the 13th

Results of the "No Excuses" Workouts

Get a 10% Discount at Sports Basement

Report: Lake Berryessa OW - 2010

Photography and Story by Bart Selby

The 2010 Lake Berryessa swim was held on Saturday, June 12, and as always it was fun and well run.  There was a small school of Marlins in attendance, around a bakers dozen or so, including our fearless leader, Scott Williams, who kicked tail and won his age group.

Also notable was Virginia Waik's daughter visiting from Minnahsootah who enjoyed her first open water swim!  Other notable newbees included Heidi Hagler and John Fasola, both venturing into open water for the first time, all parties emerged smiling and unscathed.  The lane formerly known as "three" won the prize for highest percentage of Marlins in attendance.

It was a bit windy, as you can see in a few of the pictures, but the water was warm.  The winds forced Davis Aquatic Masters (DAM) to pull in the orange turn markers, which when coupled with a little wave action and a small kayak contingent allowed a few swimmers to see more of the lake than they normally would, with the expected effect on finishing times.

The big surprise was the water level was lower than last year, but a balmy 70° F.  The exit was a bit on the rocky side due to the low water, but the food was good, as was the camaraderie among the Marlins.  The timing system they used takes your picture as your sensor crosses the line, if you go to results you can see the image of every finisher. Interesting.  All in all a nice day on the water.

CLICK HERE for the official results of the 2010 Lake Berryessa OW.

Webmaster's Note:  Thanks, Bart, for this great article and the fantastic photographs!

Eight Marlins Compete at 2010 USMS National Championship 1.5 Mile OW

Congratulations to the following eight Marlins who participated in the USMS National Championship 1.5 Mile Open Water swim competition on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at Lake Del Valle in Livermore:

For the complete results of this swim competition, CLICK HERE.

2010 Parkside Mile Evaluation: "Excellent"

Pacific Masters Swimming (PMS) issued an evaluation report on how the San Mateo Master Marlins organized and ran the Parkside Aquatic Park Mile Open Water swim that was held on Sunday, May 16, 2010.  The scores in each and every catagory were excellent.  Congratulations to Marlins Open Water Director Joel Swartz on receiving such high marks!  Job well done!

CLICK HERE for the two-page PDF copy of the PMS report.

Donald L. Galine

1945 - 2010

Saturday, May 15, 2010 - Taken from Care Pages

During the last ten days we, with the help of Mission Hospice, were able to care for Don in his beloved home.  He passed away Saturday, May 15th at 9:50 a.m.  Thanks to all of you for being a part of this difficult, almost year long, journey.  Your words, sentiments, memories, humorous stories, and advice lightened the load and gave Don and our family great comfort and solace.  So often he would ask us to read him his CarePage.  He always was so touched by your kindness and would give me instructions to write notes to be sure to thank each one of you for taking time to think about us and pray for us.  Thanks to Allison for having the good sense to start the CarePage for Don and to her and Brian for writing so many of the updates.  Don wished he could have lived longer, but told me we had a good satisfying life, and it's true.  Don lives in all of our hearts and spirits forever.  He packed a lot of adventures into his 64+ years.  -Sue  {Don's wife}

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Brain Tumor Society, American Brain Tumor Association, Mission Hospice, or your favorite charity.  Services will be private, not held openly to the public at this time, but more celebrated among the family, his closest friends, and over many dinners in days, nights, months, and years to come.  There are so many stories to tell to remember who he was-for us that is him as a dad and as a husband-the best we could ever have!  I am thankful I vividly remember his quirks and the sound of his laugh.  I hope to always have a lingering image of his smile.  Love you Dad!  -Ally  {Don's daughter}

CLICK HERE for a direct link to Flip Videos of Don Galine's Last Swim Meet.

CLICK HERE to read Don Galine's Obituary.

{Webmaster's note:  You can post your own comments on Care Pages.  Sign up is free.}

Laurin Weisenthal is Back!

Our very own Laurin Weisenthal who conquered the English Channel in September 2009 with the amazing time of 8 hours, 33 minutes, was away from swimming for two months.  Now she is back.  Her first swim competition this year was the PMS Short Course Yards Championships at Pleasanton in April.  And what a splash she made:  Four first place finishes in five events!  Congratulations, Laurin!

Laurin has an incredible tale to tell as to why she was away from swimming for those two months.  Get the full story on her blog, www.LaurinSwim.com.  Look for the April 20 article titled, "Start of a New Season."

Welcome back, Laurin!

Webmaster's Note:  Story and link provided with Laurin's permission.

Special Announcement

Dear Marlins and Friends of the Marlins,

We are announcing both very sad and tremendously exciting news to all our Team members, past Marlins, and friends.

Over the past three years we have worked very closely with the City of San Mateo Recreation Department to restructure the Marlins as an independent club.  This transition was in response to on-going financial pressures within the City, and a belief that the Marlins should be independent of the City's Recreation program - self-sustaining and self-supporting.

The City's budget crisis this past year brought home to us in vivid terms the difficulties the City faces, and the vulnerability of a pool facility that continues to run at a significant deficit.  In short, the City Recreation Department cannot in good conscience guarantee continued availability of Joinville as a pool facility for us to call home.

In light of this, as the College of San Mateo has been building their new Health and Wellness facility, we have been talking with them about the opportunities that they might offer the Marlins team.  They have opened their facility, selected a management team, and an Aquatics Director.  Our Head Coach Scott Williams has been instrumental in continuing a dialog with San Mateo Athletic Club about moving our Masters team to this incredible new pool and health club.

The SMAC has offered us a very generous corporate charter membership package, and many of us have had the opportunity to swim a workout at the new pool and tour the facility.  The Swim Committee, with Head Coach Scott's advice and counsel, has voted to accept SMAC's offer.  We urge the entire team to move to the new facility as a group.

San Mateo Athletic Club offers us an incredible opportunity to grow our team in a beautiful new 50 meter pool, with excellent coaching, and a full range of training and exercise amenities.  They have responded wonderfully to our request to make the rates for membership as comparable as possible with current rates for masters at Joinville.

We will swim with San Mateo Masters and continue to register with USMS as San Mateo Master Marlins - Club 001.

Leaving Joinville will be incredibly difficult - it has been home for almost 40 years.  We are very grateful to the wonderful Pool Staff, the Recreation Department, and especially Paul Council for his professionalism and support.

We are looking toward the future - and another 40 years of Masters Swimming with the San Mateo Master Marlins.

Nancy Littlefield, for the San Mateo Master Marlins Swim Committee

CLICK HERE for the SMAC Introductory Letter (One-page PDF file).

CLICK HERE for Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ (Two-page PDF file).

CLICK HERE for the 2010 Marlins Registration Packet (Two-page PDF file).

CLICK HERE for a printable copy of Nancy Littlefield's letter (One-page PDF file).

CLICK HERE for the San Mateo Masters Registration Form (One-page PDF file) - NEW!

2010 Marlins Registration Packet

Next time you are at Joinville Swim Center, be sure to pick up your Marlins 2010 Registration Packet.  Contained in it are the following:

1. Cover letter from Marlins President Nancy Littlefield
2. 2010 Marlins Team Dues Registration form
3. 2010 US Masters Swimming / Pacific Masters Swimming Registration form

Or, CLICK HERE for the complete three-page document in PDF format.

Please complete and sign the 2010 Marlins Team Dues Registration form and leave it at the Joinville front desk with your check:  $30 individual or $60 family.  Please make your check payable to: San Mateo Master Marlins

You should also renew your membership with USMS and PMS.  The fee for 2010 is now $42.00.  To renew this membership you can either:

• Complete the form (third sheet in the Registration packet) and mail it in with your check, or
• To register online with a credit card CLICK HERE or at the link on our Dues & Fees page.

Three Marlins Make a Splash at Rinconada

The following three Marlins competed in the Rinconada Masters Spring Short Course Meet in Palo Alto on Saturday, March 13, 2010:

Ashley Prosen, one of our part-time coaches, took three first places in the Women's 18-24 Age Group: 50 Yard Backstroke, 50 Yard Butterfly, and the 50 Yard Freestyle.

Dennis Prosen finished with high rankings in the Mens 50-54 Age Group: 100 Yard Freestyle (second-place), 200 Yard Freestyle (second-place), and 100 Yard Backstroke (third-place).

Dave Traver took on the "IRON-MAN" event of the day and completed the 1650 Yard Butterfly with the amazing time of 30 minutes, 4 seconds.

Congratulations, Ashley, Dennis, and Dave!

For the complete results of the meet, CLICK HERE.

Go You Bemidji Beavers!

by Renee Prosen

Webmaster's note:  In mid-February 2010, Dennis Prosen ventured forth to the snow and Arctic-cold of northern Minnesota to be inducted into the Bemidji State University 2009-2010 Athletic Team Hall of Fame.  He was accompanied by his lovely wife Renee Prosen who wrote the following article.

Somewhere between duct tape cure-alls and tater tot casseroles, lives a group of retired swimmers in the heartland of America.  On a recent trip there, I had a chance to discover how life evolved for them and the regular inhabitants who once shunned fitness as something maybe only Californian crazies did.

First, I should explain what would draw a reasonable couple from California to the land of 10,000 frozen lakes.  It was my husband's honor of being inducted into Bemidji State University's Sports Team Hall of Fame.  The swimming team of 1978-79 had earned its place by finishing 9-1, winning the conference title and taking fourth at the NCAA Nationals.  But doing it in a place that is so inhospitable to their sport is just another dimension to their experience.

While there were no absolutes, it seems that the fastest swimmers in the 70's were still pretty fit but they didn't necessarily stay that way by swimming.  Three swimmers who came for the induction swam at World Masters last year.  Five swim for fitness, seven coach swimming, 12 have kids who swim competitively.

That's a lot of sports passion.  And it seems their commitment has changed the face of fitness statewide.  Steady growth has continued in my 25 years of visits.  I used to observe that not a lot of people in The Cities (see below) worked out.  Even fewer did so in the Iron Range (see below).  They were mostly people who'd rather hang out in Fish Houses (see below) and just catch Walleye (see below).

There are definitely more workout facilities, more people using them now and users tend to be older.  This year, for the first time, I was not the only woman in the weight room, at the Y, the fitness center at BSU and the hotel workout room.  People are getting moving.  They know it will make them healthier and at least they have enough indoor option to make it work.  Even the senior citizen apartments where my 90-year-old in-laws live have one.  Hats off (well, maybe not till spring) to Minnesotans who have found indoor exercise as a great way to wait out winter.  However, it is important to not only understand how Minnesotans think, but how they speak.  Garrison Keeler would concur.

*The Cities - Sophisticated metropolitan area encompassing Minneapolis (home of Mary Richards in the Mary Tyler Moore show) and St. Paul.  High density population, chain fitness clubs, heated bus stops and upstairs bridges connecting downtown buildings.

*Iron Range - Rural area up north where soil is red from iron ore, where few swimmers and many hockey parents earned their living.  The hockey coach whose team beat Niagara University our first night in Bemidji, couldn't get over my husband's roots as a swimmer in 'da range.  "The Range" is better place to be from if you play hockey.  The US hockey hall of fame is located in this area.

*Walleye - not Wall-E - Japan and California have tuna and sushi.  Minnesota has Walleye, a delicate fish only spawned and eaten in the north, it is generally exported.  Restaurants boast their own unique treatment.  There are even Walleye Tacos (pronounced Tack-os).  Frequently caught in Fish Houses (see below).

*Fish Houses - Suppose I told you people in Minnesota fish all winter in sub zero temperatures and they never get frostbite because they have heaters.  They watch TV while fishing.  Essentially, a Fish House is a portable party shack.  You drive out in your truck on the frozen lake (18-24 inches thick) and you put up your structure.  You turn on your the 20,000 BTU gasoline heater, arrange the furniture (also carried out in the truck), throw down Sports Illustrated, some beer and, oh yeah, some fishing tackle.  Bore two holes through the ice.  Then place a doo-hickey inside that bounces the bait around so the walleye see it and want to nibble.  But, just so you don't have to spend your whole time looking down a black hole for approaching fish, you use another thing-a-ma-bob that pulls an orange flag to full-mast when a fish bites, just in case you're too drunk to notice.

The "Da Vinci" Code Workout

by Bob Leuten
Marlins Volunteer Webmaster
Updated August 22, 2009

Hi Fellow Marlins:

Friday, August 14, 2009, was Ray Laughlin's last day as Marlins Head Swim Coach.  We had a nice send-off for him at our monthly Marlins Pizza Night on Wednesday, August 12.  Click on the Bulletin Board button above to see some the pictures from that night.

In keeping with Ray's tradition with date-appropriate workouts, the Marlins were "treated-?" to a special workout on Ray's last day.  Here's how the workout board (pictured at the left) read:

If you can't figure it out, I'll post the decoded message in a week or so.

Ray gave us a clue at the top of the workout board:  "25 = A"

Divide the distance of each workout segment by 25 and you get a number that equates to a letter of the alphabet.  Thus, A = 1, B = 2, and so forth.  The nine workout segments spell the following nine letters:

M - Y - L - A - S - T - D - A -Y

Thus the decoded message reads:  MY   LAST  DAY

We're all sad to see Ray leave the Marlins but we wish him the best in his new position.  So long, Ray, it's been a great two years!

Report: PMS LCM Championships

July 10 - 12, 2009 - Chabot College, Hayward, CA

Twelve Marlins made a big splash at the July 10 - 12 Pacific Masters Swimming Long Course Championships Swim Meet at Chabot College.  As a team, the Marlins finished in ninth place, a remarkable achievement considering we only had twelve swimmers competing.  Here are some of the individual highlights:

*Don Stupfel's accomplishments are even more extraordinary when you consider the fact that on the day before the meet began, he underwent a painful 45-minute treatment for a kidney stone.  Congratulations, Don, on your seven first-place finishes and your award as the high-point man!

If you would like prints of any of the following pictures, please contact: Webmaster@MasterMarlins.org  These pictures will also be posted on the Marlins outdoor bulletin board at Joinville Pool.  For the complete meet results, CLICK HERE and then on the "Pac Masters LCM Split " tab.

Four Marlins Compete at Lake Mendocino 2-Mile OW

Congratulations to the following four Marlins who participated in the Redwood Coast Masters (RCM) Lake Mendocino 2-Mile Open Water swim competition on Saturday, June 27:

For the complete results of this swim competition, CLICK HERE.

Marlins Nominate Ray Laughlin as Coach of the Year

At its May meeting, the San Mateo Master Marlins Swim Committee unanimously voted to nominate our Head Coach, Ray Laughlin, as the PMS Coach of the Year for 2008.

The purpose of this award is to recognize the Pacific Masters Swimming coach who has demonstrated outstanding coaching qualities.  The award criteria are as follows:

• The coach and Club held current PMS registration during the year under consideration.
• The criteria for the award will be considered first, since January 1 of the preceding year, and second, over the coach's career with his or her club. Outstanding contributions to his or her club and its individuals are measured by the following competitive and non-competitive factors:

1. Competitive factors shall include club and individual performance at PMS and USMS Championships in any sanctioned course, as well as relay and individual PMS, USMS and World records that reflect the coach's skill and inspiration.
2. Non-competitive factors shall include club vigor, size and growth, club participation and volunteering, and club having hosted well-run events.
3. Outstanding service to PMS, USMS and to other public or private community organizations.
4. Outstanding professional contributions, such as participation in clinics and published works.

The winner of the PMS Coach of the Year award will be announced on Sunday, July 12, at the PMS Long Course Championship meet in Hayward.

Good luck Ray, we hope you win!  Even if you don't win, you will always be our COACH OF THE YEAR!

CLICK HERE to view a copy of our nomination submission (Word document).

Founders' Day Brunch - Note from Marlins President, Nancy Littlefield

Marlins founders, Zada and Ray Taft

Saturday, June 20, 2009 - The Brunch was a great opportunity to talk, eat, and honor Zada and Ray Taft.  Kudos to Bob, Leon, Jutta and Virginia for catering assistance, Henry for photos (samples below--more on Facebook).  Thanks to all who brought yummy items to share - especially Liz's decadent mystery potato gratin (vegetarians wonder "was that meat?").  Also to generous donations from those without a potluck item, who contributed enough cash to cover all the Marlins' expenses.  Thanks John, Tom, Bill, & Don!  All those Marlins love to party and eat!

Thanks to all for helping - the tres leches cake continues to give to those hard working life guards...

Pictures of June 20, 2009 Founders' Day Brunch - Photography by Henry Chan

USMS Nationals - Results

The following seven Marlins competed in the 2009 Short Course Nationals at the Clovis North Aquatic Complex in Clovis, May 7 through 10:

Moby Coquillard entered the USMS One-Mile Open Water National Championships at Millerton Lake on Monday, May 11.  The official results are now posted and Moby finished sixth in his age group with an outstanding time of 19:57.3.  Congratulations, Moby!

City Budget Gap Threatens Joinville

The current economic downturn affects not only individuals and businesses, it affects Joinville Pool and the City of San Mateo, too.  For the current 2008-09 fiscal year, the City has cut about $9 million from the previous year's budget.  Fortunately, these cuts did not significantly affect City services or programs.  Now, their $80 million budget for FY 2009-10 requires another 10% cut ($8 million).  This could significantly affect the Marlins' program...

Lap swimmers Anna Woods (who is also a member of the Marlins) and Radi Julina are organizing the Joinville Lap Swimmers in an effort to keep our pool open year-round.  They are gathering names of Lap Swimmer and handing out a letter to help rally support.  The Marlins and Lap Swimmers will co-ordinate efforts to KEEP JOINVILLE POOL OPEN 12-MONTHS A YEAR!

A Mile a Day in 2008

by Henry Chan

In 2008, USMS had a program called Go The Distance, where you track your distance swam.  Every day that I swam, I would record the workout and enter into an excel spreadsheet, that I received from the program coordinator.  After 11 months, 28 days, I reached a milestone of 365.25 miles swam.  With the support of the peers, Carla, and the evening workout coaches (Julia, Loren, and Hennel) I fought past injury, illness, and lack of sleep, and achieved this milestone with three days to spare.  Big thanks to all of them for pushing me when I could have allowed my laziness win. This is a great program with the opportunity to show off your achievement.  There is customizable apparel and swimming accessories to show off your milestone. Have you ever thought to track how much you swim in a year?  2009 is another year and the chance to track your distance.  If you would like to participate, go to http://www.usms.org/fitness/content/gothedistance#resources to download your excel tracking sheet and for information on what you need to do to sign up.  Go swimming!

One mile is exactly 1,609.344 meters or 1,760 yards.  Not able to swim every day?  The following chart shows what you must average every week (rounded UP to the nearest 100 meters or yards):

Friday, the 13th

by Bob Leuten

Calendar year 2009 contains three months that contain a "Friday, the 13th":  February, March, and November.  In keeping with his tradition of date-appropriate workouts, Coach Ray Laughlin, delighted the Master Marlins with a very special workout on Friday, February 13, 2009.....

Results of the "No Excuses" Workouts

Congratulations to the following 13 Marlins who attended all three holiday workouts (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) and have earned their "2008-09 No Excuses Team" tee-shirts:

"Honorable mention" also go to those Marlins who swam at Burlingame High School on Christmas morning.  Despite the early hour (5:30 am!), the cold wind, the rain, and the hail, 35 Marlins showed the real No Excuses spirit and purpose of the holiday swim series.

The real winner, of course, was Samaritan House who received a check for over $1,500 from the participating Marlin team members who made contributions for the right to swim when our pools would normally be closed for the holidays.   On December 11, we sent a press release to four local newspapers, but alas, none published it.  If you would like to see what we sent to the press, click here for the Word file. John Flannigan donated the nifty No Excuses tee-shirts.  Thanks, John!

Special thanks go to our coach, Ray Laughlin, for organizing and coaching the holiday workouts!

Get a 10% Discount at Sports Basement

Sports Basement is offering a 10% discount off their already low prices to anyone who shows a current USMS Registration Card.  For store locations and hours visit their web site: http://www.sportsbasement.com/