[PacMasterUpdate] Update October 27, 2002

Mon Oct 28 00:49:46 EST 2002

ZADA TAFT MEMORIAL - from Diddo Clark

     One time South End Rowing Club swim star Zada Taft, who died at 
the end of August, will be memorialized at a potluck picnic from 1:30 
to 4:00 pm Sunday Oct. 27 at the Half Moon Bay Senior Center, 535 
Kelly Ave. in Half Moon Bay.  Everyone is invited.

     According to the September 25, 1939 San Francisco Chronicle, 
"Gear Wins Swim, Uninvited Girl Star is Sixth - Sneaks By Judges to 
Enter South End Gate Event for 2nd Year.  Jack Gear, husky young 
machinist, paddled his way to an easy win in the annual South End 
Golden Gate swim in 27 minutes flat
yesterday, but it remained for an unofficial entry to steal the show. 
Zada Weed, blonde Crystal Plunge swimmer, barred by rules which 
prevent feminine stars from competing, sneaked into the water while 
the judges were looking the other way and proceeded to come home a 
nifty seventh, finishing in front
of eighteen men contenders.  Zada also completed the course last 
year. Twenty-four South Enders and Miss Weed started on the Marin 
side of the bridge and all finished.  Usually the Coast Guard has to 
fish out a few exhausted swimmers."

     Zada Weed Taft competed in 16 Golden Gate Bridge Swim races over 
50 years.  In the 1930s, she was the youngest swimmer in the South 
End's Gate races.  In the 1980s, she was the oldest.  In 1987, 
seventy six swimmers started the South End's 57th annual Golden Gate 
race.  Strong currents swept
the competitors out to sea and most of them failed to touch the 
finish line at Lime Rock on the Marin side.  The oldest finisher was 
68 year old Zada Taft.  She was the only swimmer who competed in 
South End Gate races in the 1930s and in the 1980s.  South End life 
member Dan O'Neil finished 17th in the 1939 South End Gate Swim;  in 
the 1980s, he rowed a row boat to pilot for South End swims.

     In 1953, Zada swam from San Francisco's Pier 7 across the Bay 
toTreasure Island.  In the 1970s, Zada and her husband Ray founded 
the first Masters Swim Team - the San Mateo Master Marlins.

     In 1987, Zada said:  "Everything they've had since the beginning 
of time that had a woman in it, I've been in it. ... I'm not the 
fastest or the most graceful (swimmer) but I love it."

===
JANUARY COACHES CLINIC
NorCal Swim will be sponsoring its annual January 3,4,5 in Napa, 
California. Dave Salo is the featured speaker. Olympian Jim 
Montgomery, the USMS  2002 Coach of the Year, will also be a featured 
speaker. Pacific Masters will give Masters coaches a "scholarship" of 
50% of the registration fee if you early enter (Contact Brian Stack - 
stackb at aol.com) You can get  information about the clinic from NorCal 
Swim at 800-725 SWIM.

All coaches are encourage to attend the clinic. It is a great way to 
meet other coaches, to find out the newest trends in coaching and 
have a good time. Brian would like to have a coaches round table 
Saturday afternoon.

As information becomes available it will be included in the Update.
===
SHORT COURSE METERS - SOUTHERN PACIFIC MASTERS
SPMA had to move their annual short course meters championship from 
Long Beach to Las Vegas. Their championships will be December 13-15 
at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas natatorium. It will be a good 
chance to swim those good times before everyone ages up on January 1.
	http://www.spma.net/schedule.htm
===
Pacific Masters AFFILIATE - LANDS END
Lands End is a maker of fine sports apparel for the active person. 
Click on the link to Lands' End from the Pacific Masters web site 
Lands' End will rebate some of the money of your purchase to Pacific 
Masters.
	http://www.pacificmasters.org
====
PACIFIC MASTERS ONE DAY MEETING
November 23, Pacific Masters will have a meeting to look at where 
Pacific Masters is and where Pacific Masters is going. Interested 
swimmers are invited to attend. Meeting will be from 9am to 3pm with 
lunch provided. If you would like to attend, please contact Nancy 
Ridout registrar at pacificmasters.org
===
ANNUAL PACIFIC OFFICIALS CLINIC
Pacific Swimming  will be having their "Pacific Officials Clinic" on 
January 4, 2003 in Alameda.The format will be: morning will be 
running a mock meet. They will be going over the Colorado System, 
Time adjustments, swim meet programs and general information on Meet 
Operations.

The afternoon will start with a Stroke and Turn session for 
re-certification and answer & question
sessions.  They will then do the Referee/Starter re-certification as 
we have done in the past.Please let Gerry Ng (fish_ng at hotmail.com) 
know if you are interested in working the Clinic.

CHANGES IN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND CHAIRMANSHIPS
Bill Grohe was elected to fill the At-Large member position that 
Michael Moore vacated when he became Chairman. Bill swims for USF and 
had been the Fitness Chair. Bill also took Michael's position as 
chairman of the marketing committee.

Rick Meier-Windes resigned as Vice-chairman Operations as he has been 
in ill health. Previously Rick had been Pacific's chairman. Michael 
Moore said he accepted Rick's resignation with deep regret. He had 
look forward to Rick's experience and talent, but understands that 
Rick's health comes first. "Rick has a breath of knowledge about 
Pacific Masters that few have. Rick has been an outstanding swimming, 
having made the Olympic Trials, he has worked as a deck official, 
becoming a National certified official and he has served with 
distinction on USMS and Pacific Masters Committees. I will miss his 
counsel."

Richard Smith, of Walnut Creek Masters, was elected to serve out 
Rick's term. Richard has previously served as Treasurer and Zone Rep. 
He had hoped to retire from the committee work, but graciously agreed 
to serve out Rick's term.

Barbara Thomas, of TriValley Masters, was appointed to chair the 
Fitness Committee. Barbara will also be responsible for the internal 
audit of Pacific Masters books. Barbara will work closely with the 
Coaches Committee and the Marketing Committee in setting up fitness 
and stroke clinics.

===
OPEN WATER POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP
The Pacific Masters Swim Committee decided on a different way to 
calculate the Open Water Points Champion.  Starting with the 2003 
Long Course season, the number of swims to be calculated will be 
about half of the total number of open water swims (if there are an 
even number of swims, then 1/2 of the total number will be the 
number;  if an odd number of total number of swims, then the number 
is 1/2 of the total number of swims rounded up to the next highest 
number).  The method was a comprise between the current method of 
using seven and the people in favor or using all the swims.
===
CHANGES TO THE SCHEDULE
There has been a few changes to the schedule (the schedule should be 
viewed as tentative). Fog City added the Quadrathon on February 2nd; 
SCAM moved their spring invitationsl from March 29th to March 22nd 
and Mountain View Masters is adding a short course meters meet on 
September 7th.
===

CLUB REGISTRATION
It is the end of the year and it will soon be time to register for 
2003. Nancy Ridout, registrar, sent out club registration information 
to all the clubs. Clubs are asked register soon, as the club has to 
be registered before Nancy can a register a swimmer with that club.
	http://www.pacificmasters.org/admin/application.shtml
===
VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH TREASURE ISLAND TRIATHLON - NOV 2&3
Triathletes from throughout California and the world will compete in 
the 2nd annual Treasure Island Triathlon in the San Francisco Bay on 
November 2nd and 3rd.  The 2001 Inaugural Treasure Island Triathlon 
was a huge success with over 1900 athletes and the Olympic course 
record was set by a relay team of USA Olympians.

The Golden Gate Triathlon Club (GGTC) is seeking individuals and 
groups (run your own aid station!) to help volunteer for all areas of 
the race. Everything from timing, transition and aid stations to 
course montors, body marking and finish line food.  Volunteers are 
needed both Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd. It will be a great 
time, and of course...you're guaranteed a cool t-shirt!!

register online at: 
<http://www.ggtc.org/ti-waiver.php>http://www.ggtc.org/ti-waiver.php

For questions please email:
Stephnee Greenwood [<mailto:stephneeg at hotmail.com>stephneeg at hotmail.com] or
Fernando Chilvarguer [<mailto:fernando at impex.com>fernando at impex.com] or
Mark Unter [<mailto:herrunter at yahoo.com>herrunter at yahoo.com]

Please forward to anyone you know who also loves supporting athletes!
====
have a good week ! ! !

michael
-- 
michael w. moore
michael at pacificmasters.org