St Louis Area Masters

This message from Bailey: As we approach the holiday I wanted to give you an update on the practice schedule. For both groups we will NOT be practicing on Christmas or New Year’s Day. Mid day will NOT be practicing on Christmas eve, I don’t know if early morning will have a Christmas eve practice or not. Practice times for the early morning group will remain the same. However, there are a few changes to the mid day schedule. Dec. 21-23 10:30-12, NO PRACTICE Dec. 24-25, Dec. 2...8-31 12:30-2pm NO PRACTICE Jan. 1. We will resume the normal schedule on Jan. 4. Also, early morning group starting tomorrow you will NOT be allowed to use the locker rooms to change. They are for bathroom use ONLY. When practice is over please dry off on deck, put your clothes and coats on over your suit, and exit the pool area. Thank you! Hope to see you all at the pool,

Two important messages regarding the Marquette practices: This one from Laura Stallings: Masters Swimmers, When swimming at Marquette High School for the early morning group, we can no longer change out of our swimsuits after practice. The high school has told us we can only use the toilets and sinks in the locker rooms. ... Remember, there is no deck changing, so you will need to dry off and put your clothes or outerwear over your suits before you leave. This is effective immediately.

Message from Bailey: Early morning Masters practice will be going back to Marquette tomorrow 12/04/2020! Hope to see you there, Thank you!... Bailey

Update from Laura Stallings: Early Morning practice is the same for Thursday and Saturday, 5am - 6:30am at Crestview. Friday practice will be 7am - 8:30am at Crestview. The schedule is normal next week, but still at Crestview. We are shooting for December 7 as your return to Marquette, but we will keep you posted on the official date. Midday does not have practice on Thursday, and normal practice time on Friday, 10:30am - noon at Crestview. We have a normal schedule next ...week. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Laurie Stallings, Aquatics Program Specialist Parkway-Rockwood Community Education

Message from Laura Stallings regarding the Marquette pool: The Marquette pool will be closed for about two weeks starting November 12, Thursday. They will be working on the UV system for sanitizing. During this time, early morning Masters practices will be moving to Crestview Middle School at your regular time. I know this is not your ideal pool, but this is our only option. The Marquette high school team will be practicing early mornings at Lafayette High School while their pool is closed. We will let you know when we can resume practices at Marquette.

USMS registration for 2021 is now available at USMS.org or use the link from the email that you received a couple of days ago. The USMS membership fee, including SLAM registration is $67. If you are in the discount rate age groups (25 and younger or 75 and older), you pay the full rate online. Paper registration is no longer required to get the age-related discount. The Ozark LMSC will offer a refund of $12 to those in the discount rate age groups, after you have registered. Our registrar, Diann Bauer, asks that you not request a membership card to be mailed to you. She needs a new printer and, of course, there is the postage to consider. You can print your own card from your myUSMS.org page anytime you want one. Thanks and I hope you will continue your membership with USMS in the coming year.

From Laura Stallings: Midday Masters will be outside today, Thursday, October 22. Please park by they football field. This will be the absolute last day you can swim outside. Early AM will still be at Marquette.

Update from Laurel Stallings concerning use of Marquette High School and Crestview Middle School swimming pools: Hello Masters Swimmers. I wanted to update you on our rules and protocols for locker room use at both Marquette High School and Crestview Middle School. Marquette High School The AD at Marquette has advised Todd Gabel that we can use the locker rooms on deck for toilet and sink use only. You no longer have to go outside or up to the hallway. However, the showers... are still off limits and there is still no changing into or out of swimsuits. Again, we can ONLY use the locker rooms on deck for toilet and sink use only. You MUST wear your mask into the locker rooms, even if it is in the middle of practice. Crestview Middle School You can use the locker rooms to change OUT of your wet swimsuits with the following restrictions: Only 4 people in the girls locker room. Only 2 people in the family changing room, 1 in each stall. Only 2 people in the boys locker room. Showers are off limits. You can still use the toilets and sinks. You MUST wear a mask into the locker rooms, even if it is in the middle of practice to use the restroom. If you are changing after practice, please be efficient and leave as soon as possible. No socializing. Try to be out of there no later than 12:15pm. Maintain social distancing in the locker rooms. If each person uses a separate bench, you will be spread out. Again, KEEP your mask on in the locker rooms. You must still arrive in your suit and ready to swim. We are only allowing changing OUT of wet swimsuits. AND, as a reminder to all of you, you MUST have your mask on while on deck until you are ready to get in the pool and put it on promptly when you get out.

I thought this was interesting. 35C = 95F. I think the article is referring to a person's body core temperature, not the temperature of the water. #FoxNews

Our regional Masters organization (Ozark Masters Swimming) will be having the required annual general membership meeting on Zoom Saturday, October 17th at 2 pm. We need at least 10 members to meet quorum. Please attend by using the following: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78036012606 Meeting ID: 780 3601 2606 Passcode: 1j1Ts3