Happy New Year Everybody!

With the new year, we have some events coming up really
quickly. In this case, we have the USMS One Hour Postal Swim, and
the Swim Series meet at the Arundel Olympic Center in Annapolis. In
both cases, you must be a member of US Masters Swimming. This
membership is separate from your YMCA membership and the fees you pay
to the YMCA to practice. If you have not already registered or
renewed your membership, here is the link to do so online. Remember,
our team name is CMYM.

http://www.usms.org/reg/

Coach Mike has just sent out a link to register a slot for the
One Hour Swim. Here it is.

http://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/60889

Below is the link for the entry form, which you will need to
fill out and bring with you to the swim itself.

http://www.usms.org/longdist/ldnats09/1hrentry.pdf

Remember, the One Hour Swim is the most popular USMS event.
Historically, we can expect more than 2000 swimmers from all over the
world to participate. Thus, it is in everybody's best interest to
have everything in order to minimize difficulty. When coming to the
swim, be sure to bring the following:

1) A copy of your USMS card. If you register online, you will have
the ability to print out a PDF copy of your membership card.

2) An entry form completely filled out. Be sure to sign it after you
complete your swim.

3) A split sheet. The link for that paper is below.

4) A check made out to the "Ohana Swim Team." Please do not bring
cash. Please do not combine your entry fee with a team mate's unless
you are related by blood or marriage. Remember the scope of this
swim. Combining entry fees in this fashion drastically increases the
odds that your entry will either be misplaced or credited with the
wrong amount of yardage.

http://www.usms.org/longdist/1hr_3k_6k_splits.pdf

Finally, the Annapolis meet will take place on Saturday January
17th. The link for entry is up and running, and is printed below.

https://www.clubassistant.com/club/meet_information.cfm?
c=1029&smid=1444

This meet is generally the most popular of the Swim Series meets
because the Annapolis pool is the fastest pool in our association.
The pool depth and its bulkhead and gutters minimize turbulence. You
will note that the first event is the 400 Medley Relay. Because we
have a limited number of people who can legally swim a 100 Butterfly
(basically the A Group), this fact will limit the number of relays we
can put up. The relay is immediately followed by the 500 freestyle.
Please be assured that given the history of this meet and given the
rarity of the 500 free, if you are one of those 100 Butterflyers in
the relay who wants to swim the 500, you won't be in the first heat
of the 500. In fact, if historical trends continue, if you swim in
the A group, you will probably be seeded in the third heat of the 500
or later. So, don't be nervous about signing up for the 500 because
of the possibility of swimming the relay.
In the same vein, if you are swimming the 400 IM, I will put you
as far back as possible in the 400 Freestyle relay to maximize your
rest. If you have a medical condition which precludes you from
swimming a certain stroke, or you don't think you are up to swimming
a 100, e-mail this news to either Coach Mike or myself. Likewise if
you sign up for the meet, but are not sure if you are going to be
able to participate. Do not assume that if you mention something to
us in passing that we will remember. If we do not hear from you, we
will assume that you are able and willing to swim in both relays.
Your decision not to inform us of any problems not only affects you,
but it also affects the three other people in your relay. So please
be considerate.


See you at the pool,
Coach Ray