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By coach nate, August 7, 2010 12:02 pm

from NEM’er Jacki Hirsty…

The best thing Rhode Island has going for it is its beaches. I am inviting all New England Masters, and anyone reading this, to enjoy a day at one of the most popular beaches while doing something worthwhile. September 11, 2010 is the inaugural Rhode Island event of Swim Across America at Roger Wheeler Park in Narragansett Bay. Swim Across America, Inc., [SAA] is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, and, as such, this swim will include swimmers of all ages and skill levels to benefit cancer research, prevention and treatment at Women and Infants Hospital. Individuals, or teams, can also swim in the ‘Memory’ of family or friends that have lost their battle with cancer, or to ‘Honor’ those loved ones that courageously continue their battle with this terrible disease. I have joined Team Win Wilson to honor our own masters swimming legend in his ongoing battle and invite all of you to join also or to register individually. DO SOME GOOD DOING WHAT YOU LOVE.

Join Olympian Rowdy Gaines, and me, Jacki Hirsty (chicken-in-the-sea, so I need lots of company) , in the 1/2 mile or 1 mile open water swim on September 11, 2010. See all the information, register, donate or volunteer at: http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/Page.aspx?pid=884. Information form can be directly downloaded here.

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By coach nate, July 30, 2010 8:39 am

From Phil White, Kingdom Swim Chair…

On Saturday, July 24, 2010, 195 swimmers, ages ranging from 7 to 68 years old took to the waters of Lake Memphremagog in Newport, VT for the Second Annual Kingdom Swim.  Attached are the times in the 10 mile, 3 mile, 1 mile, ? mile and 100 yard swims.

In nearly perfect swimming conditions, Rondi Davies, an Australian living in New York City, completed the 10 mile course with a time of 3:56:49.and successfully defended her title as overall Champion of Kingdom Swim by beating out Joe Sheehan of Boxford Mass in a hard fought duel. As the female and male winners, Rondi and Joe each received a Kingdom Swim walking stick, which was hand carved by Bill Peck of Derby, Vermont.

Swimmers, their kayakers, and their families came from 26 different states, Mexico, and India to participate in the swim.  Swapnali Yadav, and 11 year old from Mumbai, India was the female youth winner of the 10 mile course and Michael Happ, 17, from Hingham, Mass was the male youth winner of the 10 mile course.

Earlier, on Friday evening, over 300 marched in the Pet and Swimmers Parade and dined at the Gateway as part of the Swimmers and Yackers Pasta Dinner.

Shu Wan of Richmond, Indiana was winner of the Elton John look-a-like contest. Bill Shipp of Mitchellville, Maryland was the high pledge winner, raising $1,175 in donations to support IROC’s Healthy Changes Initiative.   He presented Phil White, Chairman of IROC’s Board, with a Maryland state flag which had been flown over the Maryland statehouse for a day, in honor of this ground breaking program.  Swimmers raised over $27,000 in support of the program.  The Initiative is an exercise program and discounted membership for people suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis as well as cancer patients, cancer survivors, and seniors over the age of 65.

  The swim was conducted as part of Newport’s Kingdom Aquafest  which also included a street fair on Saturday afternoon, a wide variety of music throughout the afternoon, Last Kid Picked played through the Fireworks,  celebrating The heart of summer in the heart of the Kingdom.  Sunday saw Pick & Shovel bed races and Passumpsic Bank Logrolling.

White thanked Peter Stuart, a member of the Board and Chair of the Kingdom Swim Organizing Committee, Julie Gunn, Director of Programming at IROC and the swim’s “field marshall”at the beach and 100 or so  battle hardened staff and volunteers who supported the event not only on the beach but also in kayaks and  motorboats out on the water.  The event also raised funds for Memphremagog Watershed Association, Coutts Moriority, Northwods Stewardship Center, and a number of other charitable causes.  The event was sponsored by Community National Bank, Paul Decelles Investment Planning, Vermont Highland Cattle Company, Poulin Lumber, Louis Garneau, Boston Sports Club, XTerra Wet Suits, The East Side Restaurant, and numerous others.

Results are available on our results page.

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By coach nate, April 20, 2010 4:20 pm

NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, is teaming up with the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC), the state’s largest breast cancer organization to help raise money for breast cancer prevention by participating in the 18th Annual ‘Against the Tide’ Multisport event on June 19th at Hopkinton State Park. NESN reporters will be present at the event to capture the heart wrenching, emotional, and inspiring stories of the hundreds of participants that walk, run, swim and kayak each year to raise money for research on breast cancer prevention.

Abby Maxim, MBCC Lead Intern says “My mother, Jane Maxim, is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed for the first time when I was 13 and again when I was 18. I still remember how happy we all were that she had reached her 5 year mark of being cancer free, which is a major milestone for survivors. It was only a few months later that she was diagnosed for the second time. I have just turned 23, so we are coming up to the 5 year mark again, and I am terrified. My mother’s sister is also a breast cancer survivor. So for me, being diagnosed is a very realistic fear. MBCC’s goal is breast cancer prevention, and I believe in that goal. I am lucky to be able to say my mom is a survivor, but I have many friends who have not been as lucky.”

Massachusetts has the fourth highest breast cancer incidence rate in the country. According to the Center for Disease Control, a woman living in the U.S. is estimated to have a 1 in 7 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime, as compared to the 1 in 11 chance recorded in 1975. These odds are not acceptable to the MBCC and the mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and partners they represent. Please join the MBCC and NESN on June 19th, 2010 in Hopkinton, MA to support and protect future generations from this awful disease. Not one more woman, not one more generation should be affected by breast cancer.

The Greater Boston ‘Against the Tide’ one-mile recreational or competitive swim, two-mile kayak, three-mile fitness walk, and 5K run event will be held at the DCR’s Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, MA on Saturday June 19th, from 7am to 12pm and again on August 21st at DCR’s Nickerson State Park, Brewster, Ma. Register online at www.mbcc.org/swim or call 617-376-6222.

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By coach nate, September 8, 2009 9:40 am

The 1st Annual Wachusett Storm OW swim was a huge success and the organizers would like to thank everyone who made it out. Naturally, in keeping with the spirit of the name of the race and club, it was a heck of a day but everyone had a great time!