Swim Camp Update

Leslie et al, First of all, thanks so much for the kind comments about my article. I usually hear nothing from anybody when my articles appear--they just sort of disappear into the ether, eventually replaced by a belated check, which never seems quite adequate recompense... Anyhow, your kind words are very much appreciated. As good as Bob Hanson (one of the Fortress's teammates, or at least zone mates) is, he has one decided disadvantage--his relative youth. I will have a good 2-3 years in the 100-104 age group while the youngster remains mired in the latter half of the nonegenarian bracket. He may eventually beat my centenarian records--but I will have the first crack at them! I can only hope that the Jim McConica's, Jim Clemmon's, and Greg Shaw's (my seniors) all become new fathers when they hit the 100 year mark, and are too busy changing diapers and the like to continue swimming at that point. (Was it Dorothy Parker who observed that old men can father babies, they just can't pick them up?) When I went down to the Race Club, the only campers at the time were me and a likable German fellow who had been sick with the flu for about a week. I received, thanks to this, the almost undivided attention of Jon Olsen, who really was a wonderful guy. They coach people of all ages--7 to aspiring centenarians. But if you can arrange to go when you're the only one there, or you and your kids are, it would be perfect! The various changes Jon suggested for me were all things I had at least semi-heard of before, and the biggest change--using a switched kick cadence to anchor my stroke and better "recruit the core"--is only one that I still haven't completely embraced. I have finally mastered this, but still feel a little uncomfortable using it in the pool. That said, it feels pretty natural now in open water swimming. Hard to explain why it should feel good in a huge body of scum water where you don't know where you're going exactly, and not so good in a clear pool in which no muskies or baby geese threaten to bite off your feet or hiss at your, respectively. Nevertheless...I am losing my point here... I think someone may have to push me into the water when I go for my 100-104 records... The bottom line is I learned quite a few tips down there (see the sidebar of the story) that I already was conscious of but didn't really use. Now I consciously try to use them all, and it's making a difference. That race at CZ was my first 52+ in at least a couple years, and I think a lot of this was due to better head position and, especially, better hand position at the finish part of the stroke. If you're thinking about going, call Bebe Hall and talk to her about when you would get the most individual attention. You can also stay much cheaper at local dive hotels (dive in more ways than one), though the place I stayed was awfully luxurious (much more room than I needed, though--would have been great for a family vacation.) Thanks again.

Leslie et al, First of all, thanks so much for the kind comments about my article. I usually hear nothing from anybody when my articles appear--they just sort of disappear into the ether, eventually replaced by a belated check, which never seems quite adequate recompense... Anyhow, your kind words are very much appreciated. As good as Bob Hanson (one of the Fortress's teammates, or at least zone mates) is, he has one decided disadvantage--his relative youth. I will have a good 2-3 years in the 100-104 age group while the youngster remains mired in the latter half of the nonegenarian bracket. He may eventually beat my centenarian records--but I will have the first crack at them! I can only hope that the Jim McConica's, Jim Clemmon's, and Greg Shaw's (my seniors) all become new fathers when they hit the 100 year mark, and are too busy changing diapers and the like to continue swimming at that point. (Was it Dorothy Parker who observed that old men can father babies, they just can't pick them up?) When I went down to the Race Club, the only campers at the time were me and a likable German fellow who had been sick with the flu for about a week. I received, thanks to this, the almost undivided attention of Jon Olsen, who really was a wonderful guy. They coach people of all ages--7 to aspiring centenarians. But if you can arrange to go when you're the only one there, or you and your kids are, it would be perfect! The various changes Jon suggested for me were all things I had at least semi-heard of before, and the biggest change--using a switched kick cadence to anchor my stroke and better "recruit the core"--is only one that I still haven't completely embraced. I have finally mastered this, but still feel a little uncomfortable using it in the pool. That said, it feels pretty natural now in open water swimming. Hard to explain why it should feel good in a huge body of scum water where you don't know where you're going exactly, and not so good in a clear pool in which no muskies or baby geese threaten to bite off your feet or hiss at your, respectively. Nevertheless...I am losing my point here... I think someone may have to push me into the water when I go for my 100-104 records... The bottom line is I learned quite a few tips down there (see the sidebar of the story) that I already was conscious of but didn't really use. Now I consciously try to use them all, and it's making a difference. That race at CZ was my first 52+ in at least a couple years, and I think a lot of this was due to better head position and, especially, better hand position at the finish part of the stroke. If you're thinking about going, call Bebe Hall and talk to her about when you would get the most individual attention. You can also stay much cheaper at local dive hotels (dive in more ways than one), though the place I stayed was awfully luxurious (much more room than I needed, though--would have been great for a family vacation.) Thanks again.