Masters Weekly Announcements Monday, December 8, 2025

Masters Weekly Announcements Monday, December 8, 2025

Happy Monday,

This Week’s Highlights from the Deck:

1. Coach Mark’s Message
2. Upcoming Events  
3. Nadadores Annual Holiday Party
4. Holiday Toy Drive
5. Polar Bear Club Workout Challenge
6. USMS Membership Renewal

Meet Results from Long Beach (SPMS SCM Championships)

Congratulations to all our swimmers this weekend in Long Beach.  All had outstanding swims with fast times!

Congratulations to our record breakers!

Van – 50 free, 100 free, 400 free, 800 free, 1500 free
Bill – 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 IM, 200 back, 400 IM
David – 50 free, 50 fly, 100 back
Doug – 50 breast, 50 back, 100 free
Sharon – 50 fly, 50 free, 100 free

Way to go Nadadores!!!

1. WORDS FROM COACH MARK

 Why Do We Use Descending So Often? – What are the Benefits and Challenges?

Descending sets sit at the sweet spot between technique, aerobic development, and speed control. They’re challenging but not destructive, and they teach you how to think in the water—something that pays off in every race strategy from the 50 to the mile.

Descending means each repeat gets faster—whether it’s 4×100 descending 1–4 or 6×50 descending 1–3 twice. The goal is controlled speed progression, not sprinting from the start.

Benefits of Descending Sets

Builds pace awareness. Swimmers learn how to feel speed changes and hit target times without relying on the clock.

Improves aerobic efficiency. Starting easier allows the body to warm up and recruit energy systems progressively.

Teaches controlled speed changes. Essential for racing—negative splits, finishing strong, and adjusting mid‑race.

Enhances mental focus. Each repeat requires attention to technique, effort, and pacing.

Reduces injury risk. Gradual intensity increases are easier on the shoulders and hips than immediate sprinting.

Challenges of Descending Sets

Requires discipline early on. Many swimmers go too fast on the first rep and have nowhere to descend.

Demands consistent technique.  As speed increases, form tends to fall apart unless you stay intentional.

Mentally taxing.  You’re constantly evaluating effort, stroke rate, and splits.

Harder to execute in longer repeats. Descending 200s or 400s requires strong aerobic control and patience.
 

“Swim practice: where the water is warm, the lanes are crowded, and coach says ‘one more’ five times.”

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 (Deadline Dec. 10)

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. Holiday Toy Drive

Donations Needed!

The City of Mission Viejo is collecting new, unwrapped toys for Marine families. Donations will be accepted through December 23 in the box outside the Swim Office.

Thank you for helping brighten the holidays for our Marine community!
 

5. 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

6. USMS Membership Renewal

 All MVN Masters swimmers must renew their 2026 USMS Masters Swimming membership. US Masters Swimming memberships must be renewed by December 31, 2025. Swimmers will not be permitted to attend practice until renewal is complete. Renew at www.usms.org.

Mission Viejo Nadadores Masters 

…a lifetime of…

Challenge... Achievement...Recognition!