Welcome to the CIM Swimming Blog

Channel Island Masters (CIM) is a swimming group with the primary purpose of providing an enjoyable yet challenging aquatic environment to everyone looking to get more out of their swimming experience.

We welcome men and women of all ages and abilities, from the newcomer only able to swim 1 length of a 25 yard pool, to the elite Masters swimmer or triathlete training for competitions. We provide coached workouts, technical analysis, videotaping, but most importantly an atmosphere that is fun, dynamic and comfortable.

PLEASE REFER TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE MOST CURRENT CIM NEWS AND STATUS OF ACTIVITIES.  THIS WEBSITE IS NO LONGER UPDATED REGULARLY.  Click on the link below for our Facebook Page!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/131702990239860/

We look forward to seeing you in the water!

Activities/Events Calendar - 2014

UPCOMING CIM ACTIVITIES

***Last Update: November 6, 2014***
This is the place to find out everything about what our Channel Island Masters group is planning for 2015. By the way, we're always looking for new ideas on fun activities, so please let us know if you would like to be part of our planning committee. This post will be updated regularly with dates and details of all upcoming events of interest. Note also that some event details and highlights call for a little more special recognition, and will be placed in separate posts, so please check those out too.

DECEMBER
-Dec 7 (Sunday): 16th Annual Year End Holiday Party 

Please click on the banner (shown above) to order all of your swimming / triathlon equipment.  You are in the right place, if a banner appears at the top of the page with the text:  "You are shopping through the Channel Island Masters Swimming Affiliate account."

We get a 10% kickback on all orders, which we'll use towards our annual holiday party in December.

I have been using SwimOutlet for years, and have always seen their prices to be the lowest around with excellent customer service.  I highly recommend them and continue to use them for all of my purchases.  Thank you for your support!

YEAR END HOLIDAY PARTY TIME!

YEAR END HOLIDAY PARTY

When: Sunday, December 7 / 4-7 pm

Where: Island Brewing Company, Carpinteria

Our 16th annual Bestest Shin-diggyest Fiestamasgrande Extravagonzo is coming up. Once again we'll have some fun prizes to raffle off with lots of great food and refreshments. We'll be gathering at ISLAND BREWING COMPANY in Carpinteria for the festivities. What better way to celebrate the end of the Summer swim season, and the start of the Winter season, than to eat, drink and merrily do absolutely no exercise whatsoever.

Please bring a little something extra to share (as in food or drink)...as is usually the case, I'm sure we'll have plenty for everyone, so please feel welcome to bring your friends, significant others, ol' ball and chain, you get the idea. We'll be starting around 4ish, with all the raffles and other surprises starting a little after 5

DIRECTIONS: Getting to Island Brewing Company is easy. Coming from Santa Barbara, get off the freeway at the Linden exit. Continue on Linden (towards the ocean) until you get to the train tracks. Right before the train tracks, take a left onto the frontage road and park. Island Brewing Company is right in the middle of this industrial complex, next to the train tracks (and a beautiful view of the ocean!). If you should get lost, my phone number is 403-5425 and the Island Brewing Company phone number is 745-8272...we'll send out a search party.

Regarding the question, can kids come? Absolutely, you don't have to be 21 to enter, just 21 to drink alcohol.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Inner Tube Water Polo / August 9, 2014

INNERTUBE WATERPOLO IS BACK!

 

NOTE DATE CHANGE

Were back for another fun and exciting day of INNERTUBE WATERPOLO!  No actual waterpolo experience is needed.  In fact, the only real "skill" you'll need is just getting into the tube :)

Please feel free to invite your friends, especially those you'd like to tip over!  We'll organize some teams, and if we have enough people, may even have a tournament with prizes!

WHEN: 10-1 pm / Saturday, August 9, 2014
WHERE:  Carpinteria Community Pool
COST:  $5

STAY TUNED HERE FOR PHOTOS...

2014 10k Workout

That's not a typo, we're planning a 10,000 yard workout in Carpinteria and you're invited!  We'll have plenty of high energy snacks + music.  And as a special bonus, we'll be treated to gourmet home-made pizza!

NOTE: You do NOT have to be able to swim a full 10,000 yard workout in order to participate in this fun event.  Modifications will be made to the workout as needed in order to have everyone finish close to the same time.  The distance goals are as follows:  If you swim 3500yds/hr or better: 10k (full workout) / 2500-3500 yds/hr: 75% of 10k (7500yds) / 2000-2500yds/hr:  60% of 10k (6000 yds) / 1500-2000 yds/hr: 50% of 10k (5000 yds) / 1500 yds or less/hr: 40% of 10k (4000yds).

When: 10-2 pm / Saturday, July 19
Where: Carpinteria Community Pool
Cost:  $5 (plus maybe a tip for the pizza maker!)

Sunday Ocean Swims Start June 1

GET READY...
IT'S OCEAN SWIM TIME!

OUR FIRST OCEAN SWIM WILL BE SUNDAY, JUNE 1 AT 11:00 am. Like last year, we'll be meeting at the Carpinteria City Beach around 11ish, with a water start at 11:30 am. The swim conditions in this area are typically excellent for open water swimming, with a mild to moderate wave and current activity that provides a welcome environment to all who enjoy swimming in the ocean. And as an added bonus, we are often accompanied by curious seals and dolphins cruising up and down the coast. Water temperatures usually stay in the low to mid 60's throughout the Summer, with air temps about the same as the water. The swims are open to all swimming abilities, with no open water swimming experience required. From the fitness swimmer just looking for a great way to get in some exercise, to the seasoned competitive swimmer or triathlete training for an upcoming event. As always, we'll have safety kayaks out on the course to make sure no one starts swimming out to the islands, and after the swim we all meet for a little potluck brunch (please bring a little something to share).

We gear up at the picnic bench behind the Ash Avenue lifeguard tower, and officially start each swim off the SB county side of the beach. To get there, take Linden Avenue and head towards the ocean. The last street before entering the Linden beach parking lot is Sandyland, turn right and then go to the end of that street (about 3 blocks). The last street is Ash Avenue, park anywhere along the street (free parking).

Sunday ocean swims are a weekly activity, so if you can't make it to one, another one will be right around the corner! We typically continue up until the weekend before the Carpinteria Triathlon (though sometimes swim longer weather permitting). Wetsuits for the swims are recommended, but not at all required. We are also looking for a few to join us out on the water on kayaks, so if you're interested in doing the course from a little different perspective, please let me know as soon as you get to the beach. We have access to a limited amount of kayaks, and kayaking spots fill up fast.

No RSVP is necessary, and feel free to bring family and friends. All we ask is for all participants to sign a liability waiver, and to swim responsibly.  Remember also to bring a little something to eat for the potluck brunch after the swim.  There is no charge for the swim, but we do welcome donations for food.

Also note that although we will not be doing a Summerland to Carpinteria swim this year, we do have a couple of new surprises in store that will be announced at our first couple swims.  This will be our 16th year of our Sunday ocean swims here in Carpinteria!

See you in the water =)

Mammoth Ski Trip 2014

It's been a couple years since we last had a CIM Mammoth ski trip, and it was looking like this year would be another no-go due to lack of snow.  But I've been told that snow is on the way, and so are we to the beautiful sierras for a few days of skiing and maybe a little swimming!  This year our 8th semi-annual Mammoth Ski Trip will be February 21 - 26 (Friday-Wednesday).  If you are interested in going, please let me know ASAP (spaces are on a first-come basis, and may fill up fast).  The cost of lodging is FOOD!  That's right, just bring a little something to share(eat or drink) for dinner, and I'll take care of the rest.  Stay as long as you like, and feel free to invite a guest or 2.  The fully-furnished condo is located approximately 2 miles from the ski resort and about 3 blocks from town. Accommodations include a 2 bedroom (sleeps 6-8), full kitchen, Jacuzzi, sauna, fireplace, washer/dryer and all the amazing views and fresh mountain air you can breathe. I will also have discounted lift tickets available ($20 off!) for the skiers and boarders.  Details on directions to the condo (Snowcreek) will be provided 1-2 weeks before the trip.  Non-skiers/boarders are also most welcome to join us, but don't forget to bring your bathing suit, not only for the Jacuzzi, but also possibly for a swim at the Snowcreek Athletic Club.  Come on up for a few days of rest and relaxation, or shredding and shooshing...but always a fun way to enjoy the beauty of the mountains :)

CIM HOLIDAY PARTY

Thank you to everyone joining us for our 2013 Holiday Party.  Click HERE for the link to the party photos.  I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year.  You're an amazing group of inspiring athletes and friends who have made my coaching experience truly fulfilling and an absolute blast.  I'm looking forward to an even more exciting 2014 with all of you :)

END OF THE YEAR HOLIDAY PARTY

When: Sunday, December 15 / 5-8 pm

Where: Island Brewing Company, Carpinteria

Our 14th annual Bestest Shin-diggyest Fiestamasgrande Extravagonzo is coming up. Once again we'll have some fun prizes to raffle off with lots of great food and refreshments. We'll be gathering at ISLAND BREWING COMPANY in Carpinteria for the festivities. What better way to celebrate the end of the Summer swim season, and the start of the Winter season, than to eat, drink and merrily do absolutely no exercise whatsoever.

Please bring a little something extra to share (as in food or drink)...as is usually the case, I'm sure we'll have plenty for everyone, so please feel welcome to bring your friends, significant others, ol' ball and chain, you get the idea. We'll be starting around 5ish, with all the raffles and other surprises starting a little after 6

DIRECTIONS: Getting to Island Brewing Company is easy. Coming from Santa Barbara, get off the freeway at the Linden exit. Continue on Linden (towards the ocean) until you get to the train tracks. Right before the train tracks, take a left onto the frontage road and park. Island Brewing Company is right in the middle of this industrial complex, next to the train tracks (and a beautiful view of the ocean!). If you should get lost, my phone number is 403-5425 and the Island Brewing Company phone number is 745-8272...we'll send out a search party.
 

Regarding the question, can kids come? Absolutely, you don't have to be 21 to enter, just 21 to drink alcohol.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

7th ANNUAL

SUMMERLAND TO CARPINTERIA OCEAN SWIM

Thank you to everyone participating and supporting in this year's Summerland to Carpinteria Ocean Swim.  Conditions couldn't have been better for our group of 40+ swimmers and support crew enjoying a beautiful day in the water.  I would love to show you all the photos that I took, but unfortunately, my camera didn't exactly have as good of a day as the rest of us.  If anyone else has any photos, please send them my way (delphis13@msn.com).

UPDATES

-LINK TO ENTRY FORMS / -2013 Summerland to Carpinteria Entry Forms
-4.7 mile swim Kayakers:  Frank, Christea, Patti, Eigil
-2.2 mile swim Kayakers: Vic, Randy
-Support Drivers:
--Registration sheets and info pages NOW available.
-We need kayakers (7) and drivers!  Please let us know if you can help out and sign-up :)
-Power boat supervision (2 boats this year - CONFIRMED!)
-Kayak rentals - CONFIRMED!
=================================

-4.7 MILE SWIMMERS SIGNED UP:11

-2.2 MILE SWIMMERS SIGNED UP: 16

(NOTE: Because we do accept entries on the day of the event, this number should not be considered an accurate representation of how many will participate.  We are expecting a strong turnout this year with a good chance of selling out.)
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ARE YOU READY FOR THE SUMMERLAND TO CARPINTERIA SWIM?  Yes, it's that time of the year again to start looking forward to our annual long distance open water swim. As we all know, last year's event was cancelled due to shark sightings on the swim course.  So this year we're crossing our fingers for excellent weather, calm conditions, warm water, and no critters!  The long course starts at Summerland's Lookout Park, and the shorter course begins at Santa Claus Lane. Both courses conclude at Carpinteria City Beach. Here is your opportunity to be added to an exclusive group who can say they actually SWAM from Summerland to Carpinteria. All the details for this challenging and exhilarating swim are listed below. We look forward to seeing you there!

DATE: Sunday, September 15, 2013

COURSE: 2 STARTING POINTS
Starting point #1: Lookout Park - Summerland (4.7 miles)
Starting point #2: Santa Claus Lane - Summerland (2.2 miles)
Finish: Carpinteria City Beach (Ash Avenue)

The conditions can vary from calm and glassy, to moderately choppy with swells and surf. The course passes a number of land points and shallow reefs that may require a slight amount of navigation around higher surf areas. Water temperature is expected to range from 61 to 68 degrees with excellent open water swimming conditions. The course goes WITH THE CURRENT, which should provide an enjoyable and scenic setting for this event.

TIME: 8:00 - 10:00 am / Registration, Breakfast, Safety and Swim Preparation Meeting / Meet at Carpinteria City Beach (Ash Avenue). Participants are encouraged to sign-up prior to the event, but will be accepted up until the start of the event (unless sold-out). A continental breakfast will be served from 8-10 am. A Swim Prep Safety Meeting will be held before transport of the long and short course swimmers.  This meeting will include conditions of the course, safety precautions and organization info. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST ATTEND THE SWIM PREP SAFETY MEETING.

9:00 - 10:00 am / Long Course Swim participants gear up and are transported to starting point for 10:00 am Long Course Start.

10:00 - 11:00 am / Short Course Swim paticipants gear up and are transported to starting point for 11:00 am Short Course Start.

REQUIREMENTS: THE EVENT IS OPEN TO A MAXIMUM OF 60 SWIMMERS. All entries to this event must be approved by the Event Manager (Vic Anderson). All levels of experienced open water swimmers are welcome to join us on this adventure. Minimum swimming requirements of this event are:  (1) Swimmers must be able to swim continuously at a comfortable pace for at least 20 minutes (any stroke); (2) Swimmers must wear appropriate swim attire for an event such as this.  Highly visible bathing caps will be provided.  Anti-chaffing sticks and anti-fog solutions will also be available at the swim prep location; (3) Swimmers must be able to hear or see instructions given by rescue or emergency-assistance authorities.

Participants are required to assign a swimming skill level based on their ability to swim a mile. An INTERMEDIATE skill level equals swimming at less than 40 minutes per mile pace. Please note, the Long Course (4.7 mile swim) is open to Advanced and Intermediate skill level swimmers only. Also note that the supervised courses have a cutoff time of 3 hours. Swimmers are welcome to continue past the cutoff time, but without kayak/boat support.

SAFETY: Safety is always our number 1 priority, and at no time should anyone risk encountering a hazardous situation in order to continue the event. Although this event can be considered as strenuous and extremely challenging, the course is set-up to allow all levels of experienced ocean and fitness swimmers to participate. A complete summary of the event's safety guidelines will be discussed during our Preparation Meeting. A flyer is also available at Master's swim practices or by contacting the Event Manager (Vic Anderson - 805-403-5425). Participants are required to sign an Incident Waiver to enter this event.

One of the benefits of having this event along the coast is that we are always within a couple hundred yards from shore at all times during the swim. If at any time a problem is encountered, the first response will be to head towards shore. Emergency resources can be contacted immediately by cell phone carried by kayak groups. Remember, THIS IS NOT A RACE! Swimmers/kayakers are encouraged to take breaks whenever necessary (in or out of the water). One of the primary concerns that all participants need to be aware of are the hazards associated with cold water exposure. Hazards potentially encountered during this event will be discussed during the mandatory Preparation Meeting.

POTLUCK DINNER: We will be gathering at Island Brewing Company following the swim for a Potluck dinner. Please bring a side dish, main dish or dessert to share with others. Beverages (water, juices, soft drinks, beer) will be provided. The Potluck will begin between 3-4 pm.

COST: $25 / Includes fluorescent swim cap and snack bag, energy snacks/drinks during the swim, as well as beverages (water, juice, soft drinks, and yes - 1 beer!) at the Potluck following the swim. A portion of the cost will go towards assisting in the payment of kayak/boat rentals.

Inner-tube Water Polo Day

INNERTUBE WATERPOLO - 2013

Who'd a thought sitting on a little inner tube could be so much fun, and a great workout too!  On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, our group of fired up swimmers spent almost 1.5 hours doing laps with a twist...chasing a little yellow ball around.  Then, if that wasn't enough, we traded that little yellow ball in for something a quite a bit bigger.  Check out the photos and you'll see what I mean =)

Thanks to everyone coming out and making this such a fun and exciting event.  But don't worry if you feel like you've missed out on all the fun, we'll be doing this again in October!  Stay tuned for more details.

Check out all the photos HERE

OPEN WATER SWIM CLINIC

Hey everyone, we are going to be conducting an Open Water Swim Clinic before our usual Sunday swims on August 11th.  We'll start around 10 at the boat house (where we keep the kayaks), with presentations provided by a variety of highly experienced triathletes and open water swimmers.

For this particular clinic, the content will be geared more towards beginner/intermediate skill and experience levels, but I'm sure everyone will significantly benefit from the information presented.  At the conclusion of the clinic, the speakers will be available and more than happy to answer all your questions.

Afterwards, it's time to hit the water for our ocean swim, and a great opportunity to practice some of the new techniques and tips presented during the swim clinic.  There is NO CHARGE to participate in the swim clinic, so here is your chance to hear it first-hand from the experts in the sport of Triathlons and Open Water Swimming.

Special THANK YOU to the Rincon Triathlon Club for hosting this event, and providing expert presenters that will motivate, inspire and excite you as they share their world in the life of an elite endurance athlete.

Hope to see you there!

2012 CIM Holiday Party

NOW THAT WAS A FUN PARTY!

Thank you all so much for, once again, braving the rainy weather conditions and joining us for an awesome evening filled with wonderful friends and family, delicious food, and the rocking surprise of Ron and Bo's impromptu jam session! 

Special thanks to Island Brewing Company for hosting what has become a Channel Island Masters tradition, and a big thank you to Liz for her expert support as official photographer.  Lastly, an extra special thank you to Wyatt for an amazing job as raffle ticket puller!  What a perfect way to end our swimming season, and look forward in excitement and anticipation to the coming year!

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE PARTY PHOTOS

10k Swim Workout

Congratulations to everyone participating in this year's 10,000 yard workout.  For those wanting to try the distance on your own, I've included the workout below.  You can set your own intervals...our pace had us finishing (including breaks) in about 3 hours and 15 minutes.  There are only 10 sets...Have fun!

10000 YARD WORKOUT
1)  10x50 / 1.00 pace              500 yds
2)  10x50 / .55                       1000
3)  10x50 / .50                       1500
4)  8x150 / 2.40                     2700
5)  10x100 / 1.40                   3700
6)  10x125 / 2.00                   4950
7)  16x75 / 1.20                     6150
8)  9x100 / 1.45                     7050
9)  50x50 / .50-.55                 9550
10) 18x25 / 10 sec rest           10000  

Happy Birthday!

Saturday morning workout with a little birthday celebration...guess who's birthday it is =)

Reg Richardson Memorial Swim Meet - Santa Barbara - 2011

Congratulations to May Coors, Brian King, Chris Barham, Kristof Igloi and Brian Meagher on their excellent swims at the Reg Richardson Memorial LCM Meet on July 9, 2011.  After swimming yards for so long, it's not easy acclimating to a 50 meter pool for a single day of competition, but everyone charged their events with the determination and drive to not only swim fast, but possibly even acquire one of the coveted rubber ducks going out to the heat winners.  It was a beautiful day filled with exciting swims as our Channel Island Masters group put in strong performances in practically every event!  Not to mention coming away with quite a collection of hardware and rubber duckys.  Special thanks goes out also to our group of dedicated cheerleaders and support crew for making the day so much more fun.  Lets all do this again sometime soon =)

Click HERE to see more action photos
Click HERE to link to the meet results page

What to do when workouts get "Cozy"

UPDATE! 30 swimmers on Saturday, March 26!
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WOW! During the month of November we reached a new milestone at the Santa Barbara YMCA pool, with 29 swimmers in the water for what would be termed as a “cozy” workout…CONGRATULATIONS, THAT’S A NEW RECORD! It’s exciting to see all the new and returning swimmers joining us for workouts, and with our numbers on the rise, it’s likely you’ll see faces you haven’t seen before. Please take a few moments to introduce yourself to your fellow lane partners…swimming is a lot more fun when you get to know the face that belongs to the feet you may be following =)

As our Master’s Swimming program continues to grow, the one and only drawback I’m sure everyone will notice is that the workouts may get a bit crowded at times, and the water conditions may be somewhat more choppy than what we’re normally use to. There is also a good chance you’ll get bumped every once in a while, as well as do your fair share of bumping…all the more reason of getting to know those in your lane. Although there’s not too much we can do about the choppy water, we can minimize the minor bumps and collisions common in all swimming workout settings by keeping in mind the following “DO’s & DON’TS OF CROWDED POOL WORKOUT SWIMMING”:

DO swim in a counter clockwise circle pattern at all times, and stay as close to the lane line as comfortably possible. Kind of like driving a car...stay on the right side of the little black line.

DO push off the wall on open and flip turns in a direction that will get you back over to the right side of the lane quickly.

DO swim with high arms and elbows (always practice good technique!).

DO be aware of the location and speeds of all the swimmers in your lane, and place yourself in the rotation accordingly.  Let others pass if you see them making the attempt.  Swim at a speed and stroke consistent with others in your lane. In other words, if others in your lane are doing a choice swim, it is not going to help with the lane flow by making your choice kick-only.

DON'T pass others in mid length while swimming. This can be VERY DANGEROUS! It is much safer to pass at the walls, or cut at the flags.

DON'T TAILGATE!  Remain a few feet behind the swimmer in front of you unless attempting to pass. If you wish to pass, gently tap on the foot of the swimmer in front to let him/her know you would like to pass. NOTE: If someone taps your foot, please do not use this as a signal to swim faster. Let the person pass…and then pick up the pace so that you can then tap on their feet =)

DON'T block or impede other swimmers by stopping in the middle of the lane during a set. Allow all swimmers in your lane to start and finish strong. If you must stop, move as close to the lane line as possible to allow others to go by.

Finally, DON’T get upset if someone should accidentally bump into you while swimming, this kind of thing can be expected to happen every once in a while regardless of there being 2 people in the lane, or 6. GO

GO WITH THE FLOW!...rarely do injuries result from these minor collisions, and in most cases swimmers are able to continue swimming without even breaking stroke. Whoever said swimming wasn’t a contact sport, never swam in a Master’s Swimming workout – Take it in stride!

Developing a little WATER AWARENESS goes a long ways in ensuring an acceptable comfort level during crowded workout conditions. However, this is not to say that with this experience, we are now going to start packing in the swimmers. In general, to ensure that a quality workout level is maintained for our swimmers, the maximum number per lane in most cases is about 6 for a 25-yard pool (plus or minus 1 or 2 depending on the type of workout).

Although it is very exciting to see so many people interested in swimming in our program, our goal will never be to see how many sardines/swimmers we can squeeze into the pool at the same time. Rather, our goal is to do everything we can to provide an optimal swimming experience for everyone joining us in the water. From the athlete swimming with us for the first time, to those participating at an elite level of competition, you'll feel right at home as part of the CIM swimming family.

2011 CIM Swim Meets

LET'S GO TO A SWIM MEET!
There are a number of Short Course Yards (SCY) and Long Course Meters (LCM) meets coming up over the next few months that I think would be a lot of fun to go to.  I have posted the dates to the meets in the "ACTIVITIES" section of the blog, along with a link that will give you more information regarding the selected meet.  All of the meets listed are within 75 miles of Santa Barbara, and usually only take about 3-5 hours to complete.  The entry cost to most meets is $20 for pre-entry, and $30 for deck entries (USMS membership is also required).

These meets are great fun for those who have never swam competitively, but are interested in getting a real taste of what competition swimming is all about.  And for those who enjoy the competitive atmosphere, but maybe haven't been to a meet for quite a while, these meets are excellent at getting your feet back on the starting blocks once again (BTW, using the starting blocks is optional =).

Take a look at the events we have posted, and if there is a meet you would like to attend, please let me know so we can make sure you have all the information you need.  We can also "peak" for particular events as well, so if you are planning on going to a meet, please let me know with as much advance notice as possible so we can plan your training to ensure maximum performance potential on the day of your event.

 But participation is only part of the fun.  Even if you're not swimming, join us as part of the CIM cheerleading squad!  Without a doubt, hearing familiar voices coming from the crowd seems to boost the swimmers energy levels.   

Come on out and join us for an afternoon of sun, fun and swimming!

Click HERE for the schedule of all 2011 Southern Pacific Masters swim meets.

2010 Summerland to Carpinteria Coastal Swim - Great Job Everyone!

Congratulations to everyone completing the Summerland to Carpinteria 2.2 and 4.7 mile swim courses.  The 2010 ocean swim season has been a year where the water just never seemed to warm up, and the conditions during the long swims were no exception.  With 59 degree water and extremely foggy skies, although the swimmers were never more than a few hundred yards off shore, at times it felt like being out in the middle of no where with no land in sight.  A special thank you to our safety kayakers, power boat, and support crew for their hard work in making our event such a huge success...without you we never would have left the beach!

Pictures from the event are coming in now, and will be posted on our Flickr site.  CLICK HERE to link to the photos of the swim.  The photos shown here are of the 2.2 mile group (6 swimmers), and the 4.7 mile group (18 swimmers). 

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

OCEAN SWIMS IN CARPINTERIA! - LAST SWIM OCT 10

October 10 will be our last Sunday swim of the season.  Afterwards, instead of meeting behind the lifeguard tower, Kim and Ken (newlyweds!!) have invited us over for a potluck brunch!  Directions to their house will be available at the beach.

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OUR FIRST OCEAN SWIM WILL BE SUNDAY, JUNE 6 AT 11:00 am. Like last year, we'll be meeting at the Carpinteria City Beach around 11ish, with a water start at 11:30 am. The swim conditions in this area are typically excellent for open water swimming, with a mild to moderate wave and current activity that provides a welcome environment to all who enjoy swimming in the ocean. And as an added bonus, we are often accompanied by curious seals and dolphins cruising up and down the coast. Water temperatures usually stay in the low to mid 60's throughout the Summer, with air temps about the same as the water. The swims are open to all swimming abilities, with no open water swimming experience required. From the fitness swimmer just looking for a great way to get in some exercise, to the seasoned competitive swimmer or triathlete training for an upcoming event. As always, we'll have safety kayaks out on the course to make sure no one starts swimming out to the islands, and after the swim we all meet for a little potluck brunch (please bring a little something to share).

The starting location of the swim is at the end of Ash Avenue, at the lifeguard tower. To get there, take Linden Avenue and head towards the ocean. The last street before entering the Linden beach parking lot is Sandyland, turn right and then go to the end of that street (about 3 blocks). The last street is Ash Avenue, park anywhere along the street (free parking). We meet right behind the lifeguard tower at the end of Ash Avenue.

Sunday ocean swims are a weekly activity, so if you can't make it to one, another one will be right around the corner! We typically continue up until the weekend before the Carpinteria Triathlon (though sometimes swim longer weather permitting). Wetsuits for the swims are recommended, but not at all required. We are also looking for a few to join us out on the water on kayaks, so if you're interested in doing the course from a little different perspective, please let me know as soon as you get to the beach. We have access to a limited amount of kayaks, and kayaking spots fill up fast.

No RSVP is necessary, and feel free to bring family and friends. Remember to bring a little something to eat for the potluck brunch after the swim, as well as $2 to help cover some of the supporting costs.

Get ready for another exciting year out on the ocean (this will be our 11th year doing the ocean swims!) and stay tuned for more information on our 5th annual long distance swim (from Summerland to Carpinteria), coming up in August!

See you there =)

Swim Meet Results - 2010

Congratulations to Mason competing March 7 at the Caltech Pentathlon!

50 fr - 22.85
50 bk - 28.92
50 br - 32.69
50 fl - 26.2
100 IM - 1.00.57
(5th place finish in age group!)

TIME-TRIAL RESULTS / CARPINTERIA 2010

MARCH 19th (water starts)
Sorry, I lost the results and don't remember all the times.  Send me your times if you remember them...thanks!
-Alex: 100 Fr-52.8 / 100 IM-1.02.0
-Tara
-John
-Ingo: 500 Fr-7.56.5 / 50 Fr-31.5

MARCH 5th (water starts)
-Kat: 100 Fr-1.13.5 / 100 IM-1.24.5
-Tara: 50 Fr-1.18.6
-Alex: 100 Fr-53.3 / 200 IM-2.16.0
-Robbie: 100 Fr-49.2 / 100 IM-1.01.8

FEBRUARY 19th (water starts)
-Alex: 200 Fr-1.55.4 / 50 Fr-25.1
-Ingo: 500 Fr-7.54.7 / 50 Fr-33.0
-John: 500 Fr-9.34.5
-Tara: 50 Fr-1.20.8

2009 Carpinteria Triathlon

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE PARTICIPATING IN THE 2009 CARPINTERIA TRIATHLON!

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RESULTS: Olympic Distance Click HERE

RESULTS: Sprint Distance Click HERE

RESULTS: Olympic Relay Click HERE

Click HERE for photos.

LAST OCEAN SWIM OF THE 2009 SEASON!

What a great way to close out our 2009 ocean swim season! My sincerest THANK YOU to everyone for all your help and support...YOU'RE AWESOME!

Stay tuned to the Channel Island Masters Blog or Facebook for all of our upcoming activities. Although we are "officially" done for the season in the ocean, if the weather holds out, we still may be jumping in for a Sunday swim after the Carpinteria Triathlon.

For more photos of our last ocean swim of the season, CLICK HERE.

3rd ANNUAL SUMMERLAND TO CARPINTERIA SWIM

WHAT A FUN AND EXCITING SWIM, THANK YOU!

PHOTOS ARE UP! / CLICK HERE

..... .

3rd ANNUAL SUMMERLAND TO CARPINTERIA OCEAN SWIM

It's that time of the year again to start looking forward to our annual long distance open water swim. Last year's event was a huge success (thanks to all of you =), and this year we're expecting an even better swim experience. Channel Island Masters is hosting the long distance ocean swim, with 2 courses to choose from. The long course starts at Summerland's Lookout Park, and the shorter course begins at Santa Claus Lane. Both courses conclude at Carpinteria City Beach. Here is your opportunity to be added to an exclusive group who can say they actually SWAM from Summerland to Carpinteria. All the details for this challenging and exhilarating swim are listed below. We look forward to seeing you there!

DATE: Sunday, August 30, 2009

COURSE: 2 STARTING POINTS
Starting point #1: Lookout Park - Summerland (4.7 miles)
Starting point #2: Santa Claus Lane - Summerland (2.2 miles)
Finish: Carpinteria City Beach (Ash Avenue)

The conditions can vary from calm and glassy, to moderately choppy with swells and surf. The course passes a number of land points and shallow reefs that may require a slight amount of navigation around higher surf areas. Water temperature is expected to range from 61 to 68 degrees with excellent open water swimming conditions. The course goes WITH THE CURRENT, which should provide an enjoyable and scenic setting for this event.

TIME: 8:00 - 9:00 am / Registration, Breakfast, Safety and Swim Preparation Meeting / Meet at Carpinteria City Beach (Ash Avenue). Participants are encouraged to sign-in at the swim starting location, but sign-ups will be accepted up until the start of the event. A continental breakfast will be served from 8-9 am. The Swim Prep Safety Meeting will be held at 9:00 am to brief everyone on the conditions of the course, and safety precautions. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST ATTEND THE SWIM PREP SAFETY MEETING.

9:00 - 10:00 am / Long Course Swim participants gear up and are transported to starting point for 10:00 am Long Course Start.

10:00 - 11:00 am / Short Course Swim paticipants gear up and are transported to starting point for 11:00 am Short Course Start.

REQUIREMENTS: THE EVENT IS OPEN TO A MAXIMUM OF 50 SWIMMERS PER COURSE. All entries to this event must be approved by the Event Manager (Vic Anderson). All levels of swimmers are welcome to join us on this adventure. Swimmers new to Open Water Swimming are also welcome to join this event, and will be assigned to a kayak/swimmer group. minimum swimming requirements of this event are:

-swimmers must be able to swim continuously at a comfortable pace for at least 20 minutes (any stroke). Participants are required to assign a swimming skill level based on their ability to swim a mile. An ADVANCED skill level equals swimming at a <30>40 minutes per mile. Please note, the Long Course (4.7 mile swim) is open to Advanced and Intermediate skill level swimmers only. Also note that the supervised courses have a cutoff time of 3 hours and 30 minutes. Swimmers are welcome to continue past the cutoff time, but without kayak/boat support.

SAFETY: Safety is always our number 1 priority, and at no time should anyone risk encountering a hazardous situation in order to continue the event. Although this event can be considered as strenuous and extremely challenging, the course is set-up to allow all levels of experienced ocean and fitness swimmers to participate. A complete summary of the event's safety guidelines will be discussed during our Preparation Meeting. A flyer is also available at Master's swim practices or by contacting the Event Manager (Vic Anderson - 805-403-5425). Participants are required to sign an Incident Waiver to enter this event.

One of the benefits of having this event along the coast is that we are always within a couple hundred yards from shore at all times during the swim. If at any time a problem is encountered, the first response will be to head towards shore. Emergency resources can be contacted immediately by cell phone carried by kayak groups. Remember, THIS IS NOT A RACE! Swimmers/kayakers are encouraged to take breaks whenever necessary (in or out of the water). One of the primary concerns that all participants need to be aware of are the hazards associated with cold water exposure. Hazards potentially encountered during this event will be discussed during the mandatory Preparation Meeting.

POTLUCK DINNER: We will be gathering at Island Brewing Company following the swim for a Potluck dinner. Please bring a side dish, main dish or dessert to share with others. Beverages (water, juices, soft drinks, beer) will be provided. The Potluck will begin between 3-4 pm.

COST: $25 / Includes fluorescent swim cap and snack bag, energy snacks/drinks during the swim, as well as beverages (water, juice, softdrinks, and yes - 1 beer!) and appetizers at the Potluck following the swim. A portion of the cost will go towards assisting in the payment of kayak/boat rentals.

Sunday Ocean Swim Photos - 2009

If you haven't had a chance to join us for our ocean swims on Sundays, check out these great action photos to see what you're missing. Thanks to everyone for making our Sunday swims such a huge success and fun experience. We're now gearing up for our long swim, which is coming up soon...stay tuned for more details =)

Check out our Sunday Ocean Swim photos by clicking HERE

Reg Richardson Memorial LCM Swim Meet - 2009

Congratulations to Jill, Chiko, Todd and Alex for the great swims at this year's Reg Richardson Swim Meet. And a special thanks to everyone coming out to cheer on our CIM group.

 Click HERE to link to our photo gallery to check out all the action! But just to give you a little hint of how well the group did...they beat their projected finish time by over 20 seconds! Great Job Everyone!

Farewall Breakfast for Julia - At Mary's House =)

Hello Master Swim Chums,

I want to invite everyone to my home for a "FAREWELL TO JULIA", on Saturday, June 27th from 9:00-10:30ish (after the 8:00 am Y swim workout).

COME SHARE BREAKFAST AND WELL WISHES WITH JULIA.

My address is: 3059 Del Descanso, Santa Barbara 93105
My phone: 259-6252

Hope you can make it.

Mary Solis

Rincon Triathlon Club - Carpinteria Ocean Swim

Hi everyone!

Anyone wanting to get in a little ocean swimming before our season kicks off June 7, should look into swimming with the Rincon Triathlon Club. Below are the details for their swim:

Hey Rincon! It’s time to hit the beach!!

Where: Carpinteria State Beach – park at the end of Linden Ave, meet at the lifeguard tower

When: Sunday, May 17th, 10:00a.m. Please be ready to go at 10am sharp!

Contact: Christal Dawn at sea_dawn@hotmail.com or 541-961-8714.
Please let me know if you plan on attending so I can keep an eye out for you :-)!

Route and Distance:

The swim route and distance is determined on the beach prior to entry and depends on the training needs and abilities of the participants involved.

Important information:

We HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading the USMS Open Water manuals for safety and workout tips at www.usms.org/longdist/manuals.php.

IT IS IMPORTANT that you wear a bright colored swim cap for high visibility. This is for your safety and the ability of all swimmers to see each other in the water.

Optional items to bring are a swimming wetsuit, a neoprene swim cap, a warm drink in a thermos for before and after the swim, body glide to reduce chaffing, a gallon jug of warm water to rinse off with, and warm clothes for after the swim.

Please note that this training opportunity is independent and at your own risk. This workout is for intermediate to advanced ability level swimmers who want to train together for various events. PLEASE make sure you have adequate pool workout time before attempting Open Water swimming.

Non Rincon Triathlon Club members will be required to sign a liability waiver prior to participation. You can print and sign a copy of the waiver (attached to the membership application) available to download from the membership info page of our website http://www.rincontriclub.com/. We will try to have extra waivers on hand.

Feel free to send out a hotflash if you are planning on riding your bike up to Carp or planning a run afterwards and looking for company!!

If you have any questions please e-mail sea_dawn@hotmail.com. See you at the beach!!

2008 CIM Holiday Party

NOW THAT WAS ONE AWESOME PARTY!

Wanna see more?? Well check out these crazy photos! CLICK HERE

What a great way to bring to a close such an incredible year for our Channel Island Masters swimming family. It was a special night (with everyone dressed and dry for a change...) filled with food, friends and fun! Thank you to everyone joining us for what was surely a memorable evening. Also a special thanks to our gracious hosts - Island Brewing Company.

Thank you again for such a wonderful year...GET READY FOR 2009!

San Luis Obispo SCY Results

Congratulations to Chiko, Eric, Alex and Todd for participating in the San Luis Obispo Short Course Yards meet held November 22. This had to have been a record for one of the quickest swim meets, but despite not having much rest between events, everyone had excellent swims. A special thank you also goes out to Tara and Jessica, our tremendous cheering section!

Below are the results of our Channel Island Masters swimmers, but if you would like to see the results of the entire meet, CLICK HERE

Chiko: 50 yd Freestyle - 31.02 / 50 yd Breastroke - 41.15 / 50 yd Butterfly - 37.93

Eric: 50 yd Freestyle - 25.96 / 50 yd Backstroke - 31.61 / 100 yd IM - 1.05.65

Alex: 500 yd Freestyle - 5.08.06

Todd: 50 yd Freestyle - 23.70 / 50 yd Breastroke - 33.06 / 50 yd Butterfly - 26.61

200 Yard Freestyle Relay (Alex, Chiko, Eric, Todd) - 1.43.52 (FIRST PLACE!)

FOR MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE

Carpinteria Time Trial - November 6, 2008

Below are the results of our Time-Trial with the noon swimmers. EXCELLENT SWIMS!

Kelly: 200 IM - 3.02.3 / 100 Free - 1.13.1 / 50 Free - 31.9
Robin: 200 IM - 2.54.5 / 100 Free - 1.10.0 / 50 Free - 31.5
Matt: 200 Free - 2.27.5 / 100 Free - 1.03.7 / 50 Free - 28.0 & 27.8
Zak: 100 Free - 1.09.5 / 50 Free 30.7 / 50 Breast - 40.5
Eric: 200 IM - 2.13.0 / 50 Fly - 25.8
Michael: 100 Free - 1.06.0 / 50 Free - 29.2 / 100 IM - 1.17.0
Kim: 200 Free - 2.45.0
Alan: 100 Fly - 1.04.0 / 50 Breast - 30.9 & 31.0