Sachuest Beach Open Water Swims

That seems harsh. But if they don't cut women's swimming, maybe you could tie them up in a gender-bias lawsuit for a while. Perhaps someone in USMS admin has seen something similar in past and can recommend a path of action? I would certainly let the U know of your concern: obesity crisis, an affordable sport, etc. Perhaps a letter to the editor of a major statewide newspaper. Any famous swimming alums who might lend their name to the cause? Good luck! VB I don't get it. I'm in the Ocean State, and the University of Rhode Island decides to cut the men's swimming program the year my son sets two high school swimming records, and is getting ready to be offered a chance to help the men's team. Can anyone explain this? It's my understanding that it's not alot of money that will be saved. It's not like they are closing the pool, or even discontinuing women's swimming. I'll let you know the Governor's address as soon as I calm down. President Carothers is obviously misguided..... This fight is not over.

This fight is not over. Mike, Understandably, I know you’d like to have Ryan going to college nearby. But as a state record holder, aren’t there other more prestigious schools…with presumably better swimming programs…that would be interested in him? Dan

For Ryan, things are okay. He did not insist on swimming at URI, and there are other opportunities. But men's programs get cut first and the future of men's collegiate swimming remains shaky, due to budget cuts and title nine. Not that I think title nine is a bad thing, but for men who swim and are talented, the message is clear: the money is not in this sport. So, play football, blow your knees out, have health issues later on in life. It seems men should not pursue the healthy lifestyle unless they are rich enough to afford to pay for it. At least the women get to pursue the lifelong sports. This situation actually sickens me. At least we don't charge fees for swimming in the ocean with the great SOS'ers! Go Lori and Barrett at the GCBS..... go girls....

Mike, I'm a URI swimming alum (92') and I'm absolutely furious about this. The alum golf tourney is next weekend at the Richmond Country Club, and we intend to have a big turnout and, once again, hand a big check to the athletic department in hopes to save the program. Some quick facts from our position paper (I can email you the whole thing if you don't already have it) Men’s Operating Budget, including salaries - $40,000 NCAA money returned to the University for sponsoring the sport - $20,000 (Because the salaries of the coaches is included in the $40K, the more actuate number is $25,000. With the NCAA money and the salaries taken out of the $40K, Men’s Swimming saving is actually $5,000, provided to meet the $800,000 budget problem! Net from tuition from both teams $1,792,000. After looking at these figures, the decision to cut the mens program makes no sense at all. We are dealing with an athletic director who was a football player for UMass, and obviously does not appreciate the value of lifelong sports. We need to educate him about the benefits of sports like tennis and swimming. Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn's e-mail: tbjorn@mail.uri.edu I'm embarrassed about the situation your son has been put in, but you should know there are a lot of great people working to save the program. See www.RamsSwimming.com for more info about these efforts. Regards, Hopper www.swimvacation.com

For those who have been wondering when we'll start sachuest swimming again, it depends on water temps. The highest the Newport temerature monitor has gotten so far was 54 deg F on April 26. When that station gets above 60F we'll start swimming. It will probably be two more weeks.

Weekly report. Got in our first official regular swim of the season yesterday. Great swim. Full 1500 yards. Temps at least 58, possibly 60. Plenty of sun, light southerly 4-7 knots, small swells. Water clear. Everybody had a great time. Wetsuits, no booties; and I was the only neoprene cap. No one experienced any ice cream head or numb feet. If you get a sunny day and a seabreeze, the SOS's should go. Season is OPEN. Participants: Kelly and Hanna Kittel, Dan the force, Mary Phelan (first time), and Dr.Garr....email me to get on the regular swimmers list. emails will be going out from the swimmers next week to start up a quorum Tues-Friday.

Weekly report. One swim last week, Kelly K et al., on Tuesday. It was warmer than the previous Friday. I returned from a business trip and tried to swim Friday but the sun didn't show, and neither did any buddies. Hard to believe how cold it was considering the heat we have right now. There's talk of wanting to do the swims later in the day. (530PM vice 445PM) I'm actually thinking an early and a late would work best. We'll stick with 445PM this week. Warmth is here at last.

Tuesday swim had three wetsuiters and two real swimmers. No need for wetsuits, water at least 68-70F. Looks like a bunch of folks will be swimming at 530PM Thursday and Friday this week. Should be excellent. Ciao

Three days of swims this past week Tuesday 70F 445PM clearwater low winds 70F Onne, Paul, Bill S., Mike G, John Thursday 530PM clearwater Light Northerly, cold (62F?), Mostly NAC swimmers. (5) (I wasn't there) Friday double duty 445PM and 530PM, clearwater, 68F strong southwest (good chop) Just Brian and I for the 445PM. Barrett, Mike G, Brian, Andy, Mike M for the 530PM We are still before the Jellies, and water's fine. Andy and Mike just joined up and they really enjoyed it. Barrett is swimming great as usual; she's the rabbit ahead of us dogs. Plan for next week: Tuesday 430PM, Wednesday and Thursday 430PM and 530PM, Friday 530PM. The beach stops charging for admission at 4PM. Early swims will let you use the changing rooms. Lifeguards leave at 6PM so the later swims you finish as they leave, and the changing rooms and bathrooms are locked. Outdoor Fresh water showers stay on however. I've been swimming without a wetsuit but I missed out on ice cream head day Thursday. If we get a sea breeze you won't need a wetsuit. Northerlies bring cold water up from offshore and below, so check the weather and bring your wetsuit if it's blowing from the North. Ciao

A good week of swimming. Tuesday 430 swim we saw some good sized waves, with the winds there were kiteboarders, to the East side, so we headed in the opposite direction (towards the Chasm, into the sun.) Good navigation brought us close to the buoys. Wednesday Andy did a lone man swim. Friday same swim as Tuesday, similar conditions. We encountered a sharp drop in temperature (about 6 deg F!) 2/3 of the way to the Western Buoy. Out in front of the main bathhouse the waters were definitely too warm for wetsuits. Today Onne and I completed the first first to second beach swim of the season. Although the forecast wasn't all that great, the water temperatures were ideal, and we paced each other to a 54 minute finish. We were out of the water at second beach by 820 AM. Saw lots of jellyfish (of all kinds) in the water below us as we were coming into the end of the swim. This coming week plan Tuesday 430 Wednesday 430 and 530 Thursday 430 and 530 Friday 530 If you've never swum second beach and want to give it a try, email me.... MikeGarr@usms.org