To the Editor:

On behalf of Martha’s Vineyard Masters Swimming Work Out Group, I would like to extend a big thank you to the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard. The Y has been a partner of our organization since its inception in 2010, and their generous donation of facility usage and lane time on Thursday, Jan. 22, and Saturday, Jan. 24, allowed us to compete in our first successful event of 2015 doing what we love, swimming.

The Martha’s Vineyard Master’s Group is helping the New England Masters Swim Club defend its title for the annual Speedo 1-Hour ePostal Swim, sponsored by United States Masters Swimming (USMS). Masters Swimming is for all swimmers ages 18 and over. The event’s objective is, during the month of January, to swim as far as possible in one hour, in a pool that is 25 yards or longer. The results are then submitted to USMS. On Feb. 10, all yardage from clubs that are competing will be combined to determine this year’s champion. The fact that every yard counts as a valuable contribution makes this an attractive event for fitness and elite swimmers alike. It is an opportunity to set an individual performance baseline for the current year, or strive for a personal best over past years, all while contributing to the club’s overall success.

The YMCA’s support for our program and the overwhelming support of the Island’s swimming community is impressive. We have had 10 swimmers complete the event so far, with a total of 30,625 yards. Once again, we would like to emphasize our appreciation to the Y. They reserved lanes for this event, and this allowed us to come together and support each other as a unified team and community. It is difficult to overpraise the value of this, as our schedules, of course, prevent us from being in the pool at the same time. The YMCA staff notified the greater Y community through postings in the building and on the web site, while front desk staff reminded patrons of the change in pool schedule. Lifeguards and aquatic staff provided us with stopwatches, emotional support, and most important, they watched over us while also attending to the needs of other aquatic patrons.

Swimmers shared their enthusiasm by organizing, swimming, timing, and lending support to one another in any way needed, and Y members unselfishly supported this empowering event.

For more information about USMS, please go to usms.org, and to join the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, contact Nina Lombardi at 508-696-7171, ext. 112.

Leslie Craven

Edgartown