Good guys wear black - Here are some of my teammates simming in the 2009 SPMA SCY Regionals!

Dan Leonard swam so well at Regionals: His most impressive showing as far as I am concerned was a 30.48 in the 50-breast placing second in a field of twelve. I bet he goes a high :29. at Nationals.




Chris Beach's best stroke is anyone he happens to be swimming. These are just some of the times he posted that blew me away:

• 50 SCY Breast - 28.07
• 50 SCY Free - 21.28
• 100 SCY Free - 47.73
• 200 SCY Free - 1:45.59
• 100 SCY IM - 55.72

Daniel needs no "stinkin' speedsuit" when swimming the 50 SCY Butterfly for fun - Time: 28.54!

Ultimately, I swim with giants and it is very inspiring!

Swimming World Lane 9 News: Erik Hochstein set a national record in the 500 free

Dan Leonard has this update:

Karen Melick who swims with SCAQ and TYR set two national records (50-54) at the Masters SCY Nationals this Weekend: 100 Breast 1:13:93 and 200 Breast 2:40.34. Of course, she won both events.

Men's 500 freestyle

National titlists included Jon Russell (18-24 � 4:36.95), Justin Brannock (25-29 � 4:51.41), Ili Selinger (30-34 � 4:59.80), Erik Hochstein (35-39 � 4:43.17), Mike Shaffer (40-44 � 4:47.27), Matthew Kanzler (50-54 � 5:13.93), David Radcliff (70-74 � 5:57.07), Thomas Taylor (75-79 - 7:08.37), Jurgen Schmidt (80-84 � 7:48.66) and Gilbert Young (85-89 � 9:13.75). [Link]

You can watch Erik Hochstein; along with Christopher Beach, Scott Hubbard and Dan Wegner set a national record in the 800 free relay in this UCLA Bruins Master Meet video: [Link]

Swimming World: Pair of Masters Relay Records Set by Team TYR

Swimming World has the article but we have the video of the 800 SCY Freestyle Relay Record! It is the very last swim featured on the video below. Here is a write up about the national records they set: [Link]

I have never set a record; have you? Must be profoundly exhilarating. :-)

In the UCLA Bruins Swim Meet video below, Dan Wegner, Scott Hubbard, Christopher Beach, and Erik Hochstein, in that order are the swimmers.

When I began swimming about three years ago I purchased two swim instruction DVDs: Swimming Faster Freestyle by David Marsh and Eddie Reese on Freestyle. Each DVD featured minor differences in opinion on technique but each had a defined style a swimmer should try and emulate. To Eddie Reese's credit he did mention that you should try to learn the classical form first before experimenting. Sort of like Picasso learning how to paint classically before painting in abstract form.

Each of the swimmers below grab and kick the water differently. To me all of them have created individual freestyle solutions to suit their strengths. Scott Hubbard, the second swimmer, uses his right arm like a "Venician Gondolier" uses a oar for leverage and momentum. Christopher Beach has a very symmetrical stroke and it is very harmonious and graceful; I like his rotation too. Erik Hochstein's kick makes a distinct "thumping noise", He has a long reach and nice glide phase. I bet he could kick a 50 faster than I could swim one.

I now believe that freestyle should not be a "cookie-cutter" type of stroke when one style fits all but rather a stroke that is designed for the particular individual's strengths.