Masters Weekly Announcements Monday, December 1, 2025

Mark Moore

Masters Weekly Announcements Monday, December 1, 2025

Happy December!

This Week’s Highlights from the Deck:

  1. Coach Mark’s Message
  2. Upcoming Events  
  3. Nadadores Annual Holiday Party
  4. Polar Bear Club Workout Challenge
  5. Team Support Service Policy Reminders

 

1. WORDS FROM COACH MARK

Pool Etiquette for Our Swim Team

Our team includes swimmers of all levels—from beginners to competitive athletes. To keep workouts safe, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone, please follow these guidelines:

Lane Designations

  • Lanes may be marked as slow, medium, or fast.
  • If not designated, observe the speed of swimmers before entering.
  • Always choose a lane that matches your ability and pace.
  • With 3+ swimmers in a lane, use a circular swimming pattern.

Warm-Up

  • Warm-ups with 3+ swimmers must follow a circle swim.
  • Stay on the right side of the lane, just like driving on the road.

Entering a Lane

  • Pick a lane that fits your speed.
  • Let others know before you join.
  • Never dive, jump, or push off into oncoming swimmers.
  • If a set is in progress, wait until the next set begins, especially if you’re the third swimmer.

 Entering During a Workout

  • If a set is already underway, join the set in progress.
  • Don’t start your own set mid‑lane.
  • With only 2 swimmers splitting a lane, this rule is less strict.
  • Best practice: enter between sets.

Swimming Patterns

  • Two swimmers: split the lane (each stays on one side) or agree to circle swim.
  • Three or more swimmers: circle swim is required.
  • Keep right, avoid drifting into the middle—this prevents collisions and keeps space clear for passing.

Workout Sets

  • Stick with the set being swum in your lane.
  • If you’re lapped, skip the lap and rejoin the set.
  • Stay in rhythm with the group.

Speed & Order

  • Slower swimmers yield to faster swimmers.
  • At the start of each set, decide the order by speed.
  • Leave the wall in that order.
  • Adjust order if equipment (paddles, fins, drag gear) changes speed.

Passing

General Passing

  • Pass on the left side.
  • If uncomfortable being passed on a flip turn, stop at the wall and move right.

Mid-Lane Passing

  • Tap the swimmer’s foot before passing.
  • Don’t attempt passes too close to the wall—use good judgment.

Flip Turn Passing

  • Tap the foot before passing.
  • If tapped, move to the far-left corner of the wall during your turn.
  • A faster swimmer will flip turn to your right and pass safely.

General Rules

  • Don’t block the pace clock.
  • If you stop, move to the right corner to give space for turns.
  • Always stay aware of your lane.
  • Avoid kicking or swinging into other lanes.
  • If late and lanes are full, join the workout where it is, not from the start.
  • If someone seems unsure of the rules, explain politely.
     

2. UPCOMING EVENTS

Masters Annual Holiday Party: Friday, December 12
Home of Maggie Williams Delagart

Polar Bear Club Challenge Starts: Saturday, December 13
Here's how to do it: Sign-ups are OPEN

Fabulous Las Vegas Masters SCY Meet: Saturday, January 17
Registration is Open

 

3. MASTERS ANNUAL HOLIDAY TEAM PARTY

EVITE has been sent!

Join us for a great time at this year’s Annual Team Holiday Party
 

You’re invited to celebrate the season with us at this year’s Annual Team Holiday Party! Expect delicious food, exciting activities, and plenty of holiday cheer—it’s truly a can’t-miss event. 


Event Details 

  • Date & Time: Friday, December 12 at 6:00 PM 
  • Location: At the home of Maggie Williams-Delgart (6 Obispo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688)
  • RSVP by: Saturday, December 6 
  • Cost: $15 per person (cash or Venmo, collected at the door) 
  • Main Course: Provided 
  • Kids: Welcome! 


What to Bring (for 4–6 people) 

  • Last names A–G → Salad or Bread 
  • Last names H–P → Side Dish 
  • Last names Q–Z → Small Appetizers 
  • Adult beverages: BYOB 


Holiday Fun 

  • White Elephant Gift Exchange → Bring a wrapped gift (value up to $15) to join the fun! 
  • Dessert Competition → Show off your baking skills with your favorite homemade dessert. 
    Swim Cap Competition → Design and bring your very own fun, silly cap for judging.
  • Plus… surprises and entertainment all evening long! 

 

4. POLAR BEAR CLUB WORKOUT CHALLENGE

Here's how to do it:

Swim between Saturday, December 13th, and Saturday, January 10th (4 weeks), and make as many practices as possible. (27 days)
(No Workouts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

Membership is available at three levels depending on the number of practices attended. All are invited to a pizza party in January to help celebrate the winners.

GOLD – 20 practices Gold level membership  (an extraordinary prize and a Pizza Party)

SILVER – 14 practices Silver membership  (Pizza Party)

BRONZE - 12 practices Bronze membership (Pizza Party) 

RULES

1. To ensure that all your practices count in your total, you must have completed your 2026 USMS registration. http://www.usms.org/reg/register.php  All practices completed before USMS registration will not count.

2. Each coach/swimmer will keep individual records of who was in attendance (a roll sheet will be available FOR you to sign in). These records will be combined at the end of the challenge. You are welcome to keep track of your practices, but please do not have coaches mark practices that you attended with another coach. (Give those to Coach Mark; you must get signed off by the coach you swam with)

3. Double daily workouts do not count.

4. Swim workouts out of town must be with a USMS club, and a picture of the workout/coach must be provided.

5.  Must sign up on TU under events by Dec. 10th.  Cost: $25.00 (includes a Polar Bear T-Shirt)

SIGN UP HERE


5. TEAM SUPPORT SERVICE POLICY REMINDERS

Each Masters member has been assigned 6 hours of TEAM Support hours for Session 1 (Sept 2025 – March 2026).
 

6 hrs. Session 1 -  Sept. 1 - March 31, 2026

Nadadores Home Meets: Sunday, March 6 – SCY Meet


Additional Volunteer Opportunities

  • Holiday Party Committee
  • Polar Bear Party Committee
     

Want to see your service hour balance and history? Check out: https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/scmvnm/page/membership/team-unify-faqs


Questions? Email [email protected]  See dates and more info at MVN TEAM SERVICE HOURS SUPPORT PROGRAM

 

“Cold days, dark mornings, and holiday distractions—none of them can stop a swimmer’s drive. Every lap you swim this month builds the strength that sets you apart in the new year.”

 

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Mission Viejo Nadadores Masters 

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