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Newsletter
November 21, 2008
by Tim Sheeper
In this edition:

2009 Menlo Masters Competition Schedule

In 2009 we are going to offer a full menu of team competitions including 3 swim meets and 3 open water swims along with our traditional team sponsored events. 

Swim Meets:
1.  Rinconada Spring Meet-Palo Alto March 7
2.  PMS Championships-Pleasanton April 17-19
3.  USMS Nationals- Clovis May 7-10

Open Water Swims:
1.  Lake Del Valle .75 & 1.5 mile June 6
2.  Alcatraz Challenge 1.25 mile July 12
3.  PMS Open Water Champs-Santa Cruz         Aug 1

Traditional Team Events:
1. National Hour Swim January
2. February 50K and 100K Club February
3. Blue and Gold Meet March
4. Duathlon April
5. Dynamic Duo September
6. Killer Quad Oct-Jan
7. Swimmer of the Year Party January
8. Summer BBQ July


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Menlo Mavens Water Polo Tournament

The Menlo Mavens, our masters women's water polo team, hosted its first tournament at Burgess Pool this past October. Eight teams participated, with teams traveling from Sacramento, Napa, Burlingame and Woodside.

Teams were configured by experience, skill, and/or age. Novice players were able to gain valuable experience and more advanced players honed their skills against fierce rivals.

The tournament was heavily attended by family and friends of the players which elevated the excitement and competitive play of the athletes.  There is nothing like having cheering fans surrounding the pool to help one forget the nagging fatigue that attempts to take over the athlete's body.

Our Maven A team went 2-1, opening with a solid win against PAC A, bowing 11-7 to the North Bay 20+ team, and coming back in overtime to defeat the North Bay 30+ team.

Our Maven B team defeated the Burlingame novice team, and then fell to PAC and North
Bay B.

The Mavens epitomize Menlo Swim and Sport as a fun, inclusive, and diverse group with a passion for water polo. The team continues to prove that playing hard and having fun go together.

The Mavens welcome all interested to come and view them in action or come and participate on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.


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Killer Quad Schedule

The bitter-sweet days of multiple 100's are upon us.  The hours of 100 yard repeats around the holidays are a long standing team tradition that many people actually look forward to each year.  These swims are designed to accomplish two main objectives.  One of the objectives is to give us all a physical focus point during the off season which motivates many to stay in condition.  The other objective is to foster team camaraderie by lane mates working together to collectively overcome a large challenge. Do one of the sessions or do them all, benefits are surely to be had either way.

50 x 100
Thanksgiving
Thursday November 27, 2008
6:00 AM and 8:00 AM

75 x 100
Christmas Eve
Wednesday December 24, 2008
5:45 AM and 8:00 AM

100 x 100
New Years Day
Thursday January 1, 2009
8:00 AM
Potluck Brunch follows swim


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Hour Swim Results

The 2009 Killer Quad kicked off with the hour swim on October 30 and 31.  The Halloween swim attracted record numbers to each of the four workouts so we shoe-horned in over 150 Menlo Masters into the lanes.  Now we have the highest number of swimmers ever who are on course to complete all four swims, which will result in the coveted team gift/award upon completion.


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Building Futures Now (BFN)

Building Futures Now is the foundation that Menlo Masters started and supports in many different ways including providing mentors, tutors, and project organizers.  We are supporting the underserved children of East Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. 

Please check out the November BFN Newsletter that highlights the new swim lesson program that has been started exclusively for the BFN families.
http://buildingfuturesnow.org/index.php?page=newsletters

On a recruiting note, Laurel Wessler, the director of the program is looking for assistance in developing a program logo and on print layout work for brochures. Please contact her at lwessler@buildingfuturesnow.org if you our someone you know is able to help.


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Michael Phelps on YouTube

This is what we have all been working on in practice for years.  Check it out and copy.

Michael Phelps freestyle underwater:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax77_hHq9Dc&feature=related

Michael Phelps flip turn underwater:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9eDAQxL5cA&feature=related


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Vacation

I am going away on a family vacation, from 11/21-11/29.  The team will be in the capable hands of Rick Peterson, Judy Strauss, Susie Giordana, Matt Gilman and Brian Winkler.  Happy Thanksgiving.


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