Welcome to the October edition of the Chlorine Chronicles, the occasional newsletter of Metropolitan Masters.

PROGRAM SUPPORT NEWS

The Vanderbilt YMCA Masters Program (located in Manhattan on 47th street between 2/3rd avenues) has a new contact person and after a slow start is now a growing program offering four workouts a week with plans for more: Contact Erica Moffett at: erica.moffett@us.cibc.com or call 917-754-3330.

The Chelsea Piers Masters Program is beginning a new season. Contact Aquatics Director Robert Watson at: watsor@chelseapiers.com or call 212-336-6051.

Team New York Aquatics Brooklyn program at the Berkeley Carroll School in Park Slope still welcomes swimmers to solidify and expand its morning practice schedule. For more information go to www.tnya.org

UPCOMING EVENTS:

The 2002 Short Course Meter Fall Classic at Goodwill Games Pool in Eisenhower Park on November 24th. For entry forms: go to www.aquafitmasters.com. Meet Director Lisa Baumann reports that the distance events with limited heats are filling up fast so don't delay getting your entries in.

Colonies Zone SCM Championships, December 7 - 8: details can be found at www.gsmswim.org.

2nd Annual Holiday Classic, Sunday, December 8th at Western Connecticut State University. Information: cookj@wcsu.edu or (203) 837-8624.

UPCOMING GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WILL BE BEGIN 30 MINUTES AFTER THE ENDOF THE FALL CLASSIC MEET ON NOVEMBER 24TH AT THE GOODWILL GAMES POOL. AGENDA AND NOMINATIONS WILL BE IN THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION MAILING ARRIVING IN YOUR MAILBOX EARLY NEXT WEEK.

CONVENTION REPORT

United States Masters Swimming as part of the 23rd Convention of United States Aquatic Sports held its convention in Dallas, Texas, September 11-15th. Complete reports can be found at www.usms.org/admin/conv02/

Highlights:

DUES INCREASE: The delegates passed the first dues increase in 12 years. The USMS portion of our LMSC dues will rise from 15.00 to 20.00. This reflects increased services/costs, especially the HIRING OF A FULL TIME WEBMASTER. His primary task will be to integrate the Registration, History and Archives, Top Ten and Records and Tabulations databases which currently are not connected or compatible.

Related to this is the creation of a PERMANENT MASTERS ID NUMBER. A number you will carry with you throughout your swimming career that will allow you access to the soon to be integrated databases. The world of Masters Swimming will be at your fingertips regardless of whether you move, age up, change LMSC's or change your name. Metropolitan Delegate Kenn Lowy is a part of this effort as a member of the National Communications Committee and has been especially vigilant in seeing that privacy protections remain strong.

OPEN WATER CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO OUR AREA IN 2004. Delegate Kenn Lowy, working with Marcia Cleveland of the Long Distance Committee helped secure a successful bid by Bea Hartigan/Metropolitan Swimming for the 6+ Mile Open Water National Championship in 2004 at the site of the Fran Schnarr 5K swim in Huntington Bay. This race has had a growing Masters participation in recent years and will be swum as both a 5K and 10K in 2004 with the 10K being the USMS National Championship. So folks, it'll be two turns around the course instead of one in 2004.

2004 SHORT COURSE NATIONALS AWARDED TO INDIANAPOLIS AND 2004 LONG COURSE NATIONALS TO SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.

INSURANCE. Our own Colleen Driscoll, the National Insurance Committee Chairman, in one of the most hostile market environments ever, was able to successfully renew crucial insurance policies for the 45,000 members of USMS and exercised great skill to limit the cost increases.

RULES, LEGISLATION, OFFICIALS. Delegate Paul Fortoul continues to provide invaluable service to our membership as a member of the National Legislation Committee and in monitoring the Rules and Officials Committees. His superb attention to detail ensures that changes in these areas are carefully evaluated for their impact on, and communicated to, the swimmers of the Metro LMSC.