Thanks to the Gator Masters folks for responding to SwimNEM's Q&A about their workout group. The following is the full interview.
Can you both speak about the history of Gators Masters? How did it start and where are you now? What is the coaching philosophy and focus?
The Gator Masters began in 1999. One of the enthusiastic parents of an age group Gator swimmer was looking to workout during his son’s practice. He asked me for guidance on a training plan, and also to look at his strokes. What started as a person who wanted to keep in swimming shape and asking for hints quickly sparked interest from other parents and adults in the area that led to a morning workout group, which has taken evolution into the Gators Masters Program. The coaching philosophy is to design training sessions that meet the needs of the individual and of the group’s goals for local and national competition. It offers encouragement, practical advice and fun while pursuing their goals and helps all members to realize the health benefits associated with swimming. The coaching concentrates on helping the athlete master skills that will make them more efficient while exposing them to new and cutting edge training theories. The focus is on training together and motivating everyone to reach their goals so they feel fulfilled and accomplished while they are going through tough regiments of the program.
Where do Gators Masters swimmers workout? What kinds of workouts do you guys do?
Gators Masters Swimmers workout at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. Workouts are designed to meet all of the needs of all the participants in the program. Stroke refinement and development are constantly emphasized, while the athletes workout through cycles of anaerobic and aerobic endurance, drilling, stroke specialty and medley work. The workouts are constructed on emphasizing pacing and heart rate cycles for the season with specific sets directed towards individual needs. Dry-land includes various calisthenics, core conditioning and resistive tubing training.
Many teams have some sort of Mission Statement or defining statement about why they are here. What is the philosophy of Gators Masters?
To be exposed to dynamic training with good techniques and to keep our members in excellent health while enjoying a rewarding experience.
What are some of the greatest successes of Gators Masters? (Championship meets, individual performances, etc)
We have experienced outstanding successes over the past six years. Although we are not designed by nature to have a masters juggernaut, every season our swimmers perform their best times and as a group score well in the respective championships. Individual performances are always outstanding. This August, the initial member of our swimming program, Bob Lawton, placed 5th in his 100-meter backstroke (right behind Gary Hall Senior) with a time of 1.13.2 at the World Masters Swimming Championships in California. Triathlete Ed Donovan shaved nine minutes off his 1.2-mile swim portion of the half-ironman event. He also improved his swim times from the sprint triathlon distance to the Olympic/international triathlon distance. As a result, Ed was able to move his New England ranking from the middle of the pack in the 40-44 age group to 4th in New England.
What do you see in the future for Gators Masters?
With the refurbishment of our already beautiful facility, which is 10 lanes 25 meters by 8 lanes 25 yards and also includes a 15-yard diving well and supporting athletic areas, we will look to increase a limited number of members without compromising or sacrificing the personal touch of coaching and conducting this program. It is considered the best kept secret in town.
What do Gators Masters swimmers do for fun outside of the pool?
Out of the pool, Gator’s Masters swimmers get together for margarita nights on Moody Street, cookouts at members’ homes, the annual pre-Thanksgiving competitive weigh-in (this year’s objective is negative 15% body weight), Walden Pond swims and NEM swim meets.
All Masters swim programs, at one time or another, face difficulties in the ever evolving world of swimming. Some teams lose pool time, others simply just can't afford to run a program. What difficulties have you faced and what happened as a result?
Our biggest challenge has been educating the community as to what benefit the masters program brings to the Bentley College community. Other areas that we help in are accommodating the needs of the recreational swimmers of the college community. Other than those, the past seven years we have seen the graceful accommodation of the program by the athletic department and the calculated growth that has allowed us to thrive with a specific number of people enjoying the benefits of our masters program.
Can you share with our readers the details of your coaches and workout information?
Coaches all have United States Swimming and American Swim Coaches Association certification. The head coach founder and director, Joe Bernal is a former Harvard and Olympic coach, who has developed numerous world record holders and Olympic champions. He brings his depth and experience to the Masters program and uses his knowledge to best prepare and advise his masters swimmers toward meeting their goals. He is a master at race preparation workouts appropriate for each week of training. The quintessential stroke technician in New England Swimming, Bernal leads a structured training program that has been valuable in helping in the prevention of injury. Most of all, Bernal is the primary motivator and mentor to help you get the most out of every workout so you can become a better swimmer than you ever thought possible.
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[See BU Masters's Workout Group Profile] -- [See SwimRI's Workout Group Profile] -- [See North Suburban Y's Workout Group Profile] -- [See Minuteman Masters Workout Group Profile]