October 27, 2025
Dear 2021 Club of the Year and defending Pacific Masters LCM Champion MEMOs,
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
THIS SATURDAY is our MEMO Pottery event (Nov 1). Please RSVP, it will be so fun! Donations go to honor our late MEMO Julie Johnson. MEMO will supply pizza!
THREE of your own are being honored at the PacMasters annual meeting! RSVP here. It’s free but a credit card is needed in case you fail to cancel 72 hours before. We always have one or two large tables of MEMOs there, and there are two Olympians who will speak: father and son Gary Hall Sr/Jr.
While the Thrice swim meet deadline is a ways off, it’s time to grab your spot on the signup sheet and volunteer for one TASK and one DONATION.
MONEY THINGS:
It’s Vicki Shu day on November 15, at Chez Benjamin (769 Rodney, SL). We’re having a good-bye brunch outside — rain or shine — at 9:30 am. If you have ever shared a lane, locker room, relay or car with Vicki, please come and wish her good luck as she moves back to NYC. I don’t have room for 130 people, but all FOV are welcome!
I think I’m going to extend the deadline for CUSTOM CAPS (order form) through the end of the year, to get more orders! I have some sheets printed out at workout if you were stuck on step one. Hand the paper to me with cash, or scan/take a picture + Zelle. If you overpaid for your relays, this would be a good way to fix it.
MEMO backpacks are coming soon ($90 with your name embroidered; only five available)!
There are a lot of moving parts in the coaching department in November. David and I are heading south for a short trip to Palm Springs and Anza Borrego one week from today; I’m going down to Cayucos for a few days mid-month; and the two of us are off at the end of the month, bound for NYC. Check the schedule for the asterisk explanation. But we’re covered for every practice! Both of our pools will be closed on Thanksgiving and the day after; Farrelly will shut down for a few days at the end of December. Come every day you can!
It’s weird to be out in the rain again, and so far I’ve missed being drenched at an actual workout, but I know it’s coming. Leave your stuff in the locker room or in a plastic box on deck on rainy days — but don’t stay home! Believe it or not, one thing “swammers” say they miss after their college days are ended (at least in the West) is swimming in the rain.
Another thing that could be rainy is our very own meet, Thrice is Nice, on December 6th at San Leandro HS. This, along with the 400 KFT, is our only way of shoveling us out of the financial hole we got in when ARPD began their policy of tariffs non-Alameda price increases. I need EVERY MEMO to volunteer on the sheet (above) two times. Once volunteer with your time, to do a task (many are low skill, and you will get fed!) and the second by donating food and/or money. Please click on the signup sheet and grab the job you want. Any financial donation is welcome!
And one more rainy opportunity: Saturday, November 15 at 9:30 am! We (David and I) are hosting a brunch (bagels, fruit, sweets, juice, coffee) for Vicki Shu, who is leaving us after nine years to move back home to New York. Try to make it — 769 Rodney Dr, in the ‘Dro. People come and go from MEMO all the time, but few have made such a large impact on the swimming community here in Pacific. Vicki knows everyone on teams everywhere, and has volunteered her time on the Pacific Masters committee (as D&I Chair), and on the USMS National Committee. She’s always an ear to run things by for me, and is patient and encouraging with everyone. What a loss for the team!
4x100:
We haven’t done this set enough this year, but here are today’s numbers. Yay to Vicki Shu and Todd Wehmann who scored a “bingo” (all four times the same) on today’s set! That’s the best you can do. Close to that, obviously, would be one of your numbers slightly different. Then, my ranking goes like this: Gradually Get Each Time Worse, followed by Last One a Disaster, and then (the worst) Sally Saveup, where the last one is the best.
Cal Swimming Field Trip:
If you are interested, this would be a great way to see a pool-full of Olympians from tons of countries right in your own backyard. Just because you see people do stuff doesn't mean you can too — but it’s nice to see how it is supposed to look! Not sure if they charge admission or not, and parking is tough, but there’s great fro-yo nearby.
Friday, November 7 (Triple Distance, M+W), 1:00 pm
Thursday, January 29 (UOP, M only), Noon
Saturday, January 31 (Stanford — W only), Noon
Patches and Patches:
Have you ever made a Top Ten? It’s the gold standard in USMS competition. To be clear — most everyone on MEMO has, just check! It’s tough to earn individual Top Tens (except during the Covid years) but the relay list is fairly “lite," especially in the 400/800 relay events. If you’ve ever earned a Top Ten mention, you can order yourself a patch to put … anywhere. Here is the form. It’s so cute and … old school! Just to be helpful you will need the following things (that many folks under 30 don’t understand): a printer; a pen; a checkbook; an envelope; and a stamp. Good luck; it’s like a scavenger hunt for Gen Z!
And we also have patches to be earned by just showing up and swimming any speed (in Open Water)! Check out our Open Water Challenge page. Patches are earned for 5-9 swims; 10-24; 25-49; 50-99; and 100+. They all have cute little names and pictures on the patch. Our own Stephen Small is leading the MEMOs in this category, with 28 swims! Swims are only eligible when sponsored by Pacific; competition began with the 2021 season.
Congrats to Chasen!
Well, his wife Katie did all the hard work, but L4’s Chasen Rogers has a handsome new addition to his family in Ryland Dean Rogers, on Saturday night. Ryland is big (8.12/21 in) and has big feet that Chasen says will “hopefully help him in his 400 Kick For Time.” Okay, now I’m sticking around for 18 more years!
Black and Turquoise Ball, December 13!
Several new people have asked if they must wear ball gowns. Hard no, but it would be awesome! Please give it your best shot — dress up to your desired effort level; it’s one of my pet peeves that no one tries anymore, but maybe I’m just desperate because the only people I see wear either swimsuits or PJs, giant terrycloth bags, or parkas. Save this date! Wear black and turquoise and come and celebrate each other. Take a peek at our own Dan Jegers family’s event space, Wildwood Acres, it’s beautiful. We have lots of great food (brought by you), lots of drinks, and lots to celebrate! Certificates and other awards will be announced at our Black and Turquoise Ball!!
MEMO Shopping:
Do you have all your gear? PLEASE go to http://swimoutlet.com/memo to do your actual ordering. The team earns a small percentage of your purchase.
Come on — buy a mesh gear bag! It’s $30 (Zelle or exact change) and it’s designed to keep all your equipment in one place, allowing it to dry between swims.
Coming soon: MEMO backpacks ($90 with name embroidered)! Some folks have them; they’re easy to find in your car!
And the deadline is DECEMBER 31 to order personalized team caps. Regular ones I’ve got. But this is the only time before April for personalized.
Birthdays!
Happy MEMO birthday this week to our wonderful Remote MEMO Dan Winterrowd, on Thursday!
On the Couch:
I realize I’ve gotten away from this. Trying to remember everything, I know I read Empty Vessel: The Story of the Global Economy in One Barge, by economist Ian Kumikawa (so dry I felt like a dog eating peanut butter, but informative) and am now on Creation Lake by Rachel Kusher, a modern spy novel. I watched a fun series — The Residence, on Netflix, about quirky detectives trying to solve a murder during a state dinner at the White House. And I for one am enjoying S3 of The Diplomat; sadly I need all shows released at once to follow the plot. What are you watching?
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UPCOMING COMPETITIONS and EVENTS:
POOL (local)
December 6: MEMO Thrice
January 17, 2026: Santa Rosa Resolution, SRJC entries due Jan 15
January 24, 2026: The Olympic Club 1500
February 7, 2026: USF Valentine’s Affair
February 21, 2026: Albany Splash and Dash
February 22, 2026: The City Mile, CCSF
March 1, 2026: Silver State SCY, Reno
March 29, 2026: Short and Sweet, Sacramento
April 10-12, 2026: PacMasters Short Course Yards Championships, Novato
POOL (national and international)
April 30-May 3, 2026: USMS Spring Nationals, Greensboro, NC
June 27-July 4, 2026: Gay Games, Valencia, Spain
August 5-9, 2026: USMS Summer Nationals, Sacramento, CA
Spring, 2027: USMS Spring Nationals, Irvine, CA
VIRTUALS (formerly Postals)
Sept 15-Nov 15: USMS 3000/6000 Virtual National Championships
November 1-30: Brute Squad (200 Fly + 400 IM + 1650 Free)
December 1-31: MEMO’s 400 Kick For Time
OTHER SWIM STUFF
November 1: MEMO Pottery Night
November 9: Pacific Masters Annual Meeting (free, with Olympian guest speaker)
December 13: MEMO Holiday Black and Turquoise Ball
workouts are much better when you come on time!
Project 2026:
win PacMasters SCY Champs
100+ MEMOs compete
100+ relays entered
40 new team records
165 days from today