About Masters Swim
One of the largest Masters swim teams in Northern California, Menlo Masters has a rich history of healthy competition and community. We welcome swimmers of all abilities, age 18 and up, who are interested in regular structured workouts. Previous experience in competitive swimming is not necessary. Masters swimmers include beginners, triathletes, former collegiate athletes, nationally ranked competitors and everything in between — all ages, shapes, and sizes. Menlo Masters offers 17 coached workouts per week. Every workout is different and you’ll learn something each and every time. Along with ongoing conditioning at workouts, the team provides stroke instruction, intra-club activities, competitions, and social events throughout the year. We focus on developing swimming skills, enhancing the enjoyment of swimming through regular workouts and professional instruction, and the promotion of lifetime fitness through swimming.
Workouts
Menlo Masters workouts are fun and challenging, full of camaraderie and high heart rates. You’ll hear a lot of laughter as well as a few groans. You’ll test yourself against high energy teammates and have some early mornings. So show up and see what happens!
The Pool
The pool is 11 lanes, 25 yards. We use some lanes or all of them depending.
Coaching and the sets
Menlo Masters workouts are all coached with well-defined sets. The whole pool does the same workout, just with longer intervals and fewer yards in the slower lanes. Each workout starts with a warmup and then the lane is given the first of the main sets. When you’re done with that, the second set is introduced, and so forth. Workout emphasis varies. You may do drills, strokes, or sprints. Or long distance free, pulling or kicking. We keep meets and open water swims in mind, providing opportunity to build up to those events. And look out for those relays! Check the calendar for upcoming workout focus. If you wish to swim on your own, please do so during designated lap swim times, available 7 days a week. You may add unlimited lap swim to your Masters membership.
Gear
Please use gear on the sets that require it. Workouts are designed to train your stroke mechanics and fitness in specific ways, so gear versus no-gear swims are purposeful.
Have fun!
Workouts are meant to be challenging but enjoyable. Communicate with your lane mates, ask questions, and get the most out of your training by putting good effort into the sets. With Menlo Masters, you’ll find that every workout is different and you learn something every time. Swimming is good for the mind as well as the body!
Subscribe to the Workout Email Reminder List
Check out the following team events. Details for these events can be found in recent newsletters (email) and in our Facebook group. Looking forward to seeing you at one or more of them!
- Killer Quad schedule is posted. This year we are offering our traditional, “Classic”, version, along with a new “Lite” version where all distances are halved. Check the Events page for dates and times, or the Oct 4 newsletter for more details.
- Oct 19, swim at Seadrift. There are 25 spaces open for this beautiful lagoon swim near Stinson Beach. Big thank you to team member Jim Migdal for hosting a second year! Details and sign up sheet are in Oct 4 newsletter.
Not receiving Menlo Masters newsletters? Email Tasha to get on the list or to request specific links mentioned above.
Schedule & Pricing for Masters Swim
Schedule
| Mon–Sat: | 6:00am – 7:00am |
| Mon–Sat: | 7:00am – 8:00am |
| Mon–Thurs: | 12:00pm – 1:00pm |
| Sunday: | 7:00am – 8:00am |
Pricing: Learn more about workouts how we run our sessions.
Resident
Monthly Membership: $114
Senior Membership (60+): $91
Drop-In: $20
*Annual Team Fee: $30
Non-Resident
Monthly Membership: $125
Senior Membership (60+): $100
Drop-In: $22
*Annual Team Fee: $30
Masters memberships cover Masters practices only and do not pay for lap swimming.
Bundling Programs
If you are a current member of Menlo Masters, you can add a Lap Swim Membership or purchase Lap Swim drop-ins for 50% off. For these discounts, please contact the Service Center.
*Team Fee
Masters memberships require an annual $30 team fee. Annual team fees are payable upon registration.
USMS membership
Menlo Masters is part of the US Masters Swimming association. Your USMS card is required to participate in Masters swimming events and you receive the benefits of regional and national news about Masters swimming. You may register directly on their website at www.usms.org/reg/
Our Master Swim Coaches
Tim Sheeper / Founder and Head Coach
For over 20 years Tim Sheeper has coached athletes of all ages. He has and is currently coaching the beginner, intermediate and elite level athlete. In that time he has led more than 4,000 athletes through more than 20,000 training sessions, and has become one of the most prolific triathlon coaches in the country. Tim has been competing in triathlons for 25 years and has been racing in running competitions since the age of 8. His passion for building community among multi-sport athletes resulted in founding a triathlon team in the mid 1990’s, which is now called Team Sheeper. Tim’s mission in life is to encourage and motivate people to live a life full of activity, strengthening the body and the mind, and discovering we are capable of doing much more in life than once thought possible. Tim also makes family a priority. He has three children who are active in sports and his wife Lisa is herself a champion swimmer and team advocate. Tim’s interest in developing whole-person athletes extends to families in aquatics and outdoor activities while supporting members’ personal commitments.
Becky Seelos / Swim Coach
Becky has been in and around water since she was a baby. She started swimming competitively at age 6 and by the time she reached high school she was ready for something new; water polo stole her heart instantly! She has been playing water polo for 10 years, on a nationally ranked team at CSU Bakersfield (position: driver), and for fun with a masters team after college. In addition to Masters, Becky coaches our Menlo Mavericks Youth Water Polo team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I pay for my Menlo Masters membership?
A: At this time we are only offering monthly Masters memberships which you can sign up for here. These memberships will renew automatically each month until you cancel your membership.
Q: How do I cancel, suspend, or change my membership?
A: If you would like to cancel your Menlo Masters membership completely, please fill out the online Cancellation Form. Cancellation requests may also be emailed to customerservice@menloswim.com. Cancellation requests must be submitted by the end of the current billing cycle to terminate recurring payment/membership for the following month.
Q: What is the annual Team Fee used for?
A: The fee is used for awards, food, intramural event production, and team extras — all things that go into improving the quality and value of the team.
Q: What is USMS Membership?
A: To swim with Menlo Masters, you must register for a Menlo Masters membership and pay the annual team fee with Menlo Swim. Once you have registered with Menlo Swim and Sport, you must also register with U.S. Masters Swimming. Since Menlo Masters is part of USMS, all members must be registered with USMS for insurance purposes. You may register directly on their website.
Q: Do I register with USMS directly or does Menlo Swim and Sport do so?
A: You must renew your USMS membership directly with USMS. Once you have registered with USMS, please let us know so we can update our records.
Q: I still have questions, who should I contact? (click on the link to email)
A: General information about Menlo Masters
Membership and billing inquiries
Pool Rules
General Pool Rules
- No swimming allowed unless a lifeguard is on duty.
- Children ages fourteen (14) and under must be supervised by an adult at all times while at the pool facility.
- Children 5 years and under must have a parent/guardian in the pool, within arm’s reach at all times.
- Roughhousing, shoving, and dunking are not allowed. No pushing or pulling into the pool, hitting with noodles or other objects.
- No spins, flips, belly flops, back dives, or back jumps.
- No long breath holding, hyperventilating, or extended underwater swimming is allowed.
- No playing, swinging, jumping, or diving on stairs, ladders, or railings.
- No diving into the Instructional Pool. Jump in feet first, facing forward only.
- Water wings and other inflatable devices are not allowed. Only Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permissible and must be provided by the patron.
- Non-toilet trained children must adhere to the double diaper policy. They must wear a water-proof diaper and a diaper cover; a swim suit over the diaper counts as a diaper cover.
- Swimmers must wear proper swim attire at all times.
- No glass or ceramic containers are allowed anywhere in the facility.
- No running or skipping on deck. Walk at all times to avoid accidents.
- No unauthorized swim lessons or coaching.
- Please do not visit with or distract the lifeguards. If you have questions, inquire inside at the Front Desk.
- Only lifeguards who are properly trained are allowed on lifeguard chairs.
- No sitting on, pushing down, or swimming over lane lines.
- Kickboards, pull buoys and fins provided by Menlo Swim and Sport are for lap swimming only. They are not allowed in open swim areas.
- Starting blocks are for use by competitive programs only when directly supervised by a qualified coach.
- No smoking (including electronic cigarettes), alcohol, or drugs allowed in the facility.
- No food or drink on the pool deck. Eating is permitted on tables, benches and grassy areas.
- Bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, and other vehicles are not allowed to be operated in the pool area and must be walked while on deck.
- No dogs or other pets are allowed in the facility except service animals.
- Persons currently having active diarrhea or who have had active diarrhea within the previous 14 days shall not be allowed to enter the pool water.
- Changing clothes on deck is not allowed.
- In the event of an emergency, follow directions from the staff.
- Any action or behavior that is deemed unsafe or inappropriate by the aquatics staff will not be allowed. All aquatics staff have full authority over guests using the pool area and as situations warrant, they may enforce rules not listed.
- The Pool Manager on Duty may close the entire pool complex or any portion(s) of the pool complex, for any safety or maintenance reason.
- Please respect the rights of others to feel safe and secure.
- Please refrain from using profanity or offensive language, loud conversations or music, inappropriate public display of affection, or any other disruptive behavior
- Admission price is for one entry only. No in and out privileges.
- Menlo Swim and Sport, Team Sheeper, Inc. and City of Menlo Park are not responsible for any lost or stolen personal items and assume no liability for the loss or theft of a patron’s personal belongings.
- Lockers are provided to secure personal belongings; guests may bring locks for use on lockers. All locks must be removed at the end of the day.
Facility Rules
- Locker rooms will close 20 minutes after the pool closes.
- Emergency doors are to remain closed and be used in case of emergency only.
- Emergency doors, facility doors, storage areas, and safety equipment are not to be blocked by guests or objects.
- Please dispose of all trash in receptacles provided.
- Restrooms and locker rooms may not be used for loitering or other unintended uses. Cell phone use in locker rooms is prohibited
- Offices and areas marked as “Employees Only” are not for use by the general public unless approved by staff.
Masters Program
- Only participants who are registered for a class or program may attend.
- Siblings of a participant may not join any class or program without registering.
- During a class or registered program, parents must wait in designated areas. Please respect the instructors, counselors, or coaches, as well as the other participants of the class by avoiding any interruptions.
- Participants and parents must follow all specific class and program policies unless otherwise specified.
- For programs that require parents to sign in and out their children, ONLY a parent or designated guardian (over 18 years old) will be allowed to pick up and/or drop off the child unless otherwise communicated with staff.
Thank you for helping keep our swimming pool safe and enjoyable for everyone!
Upcoming Events
Lots of team events with many ways to participate: at Burgess Pool, in swim meets and open water swims – something for everyone!
| January | Year Kick-off Brunch (Jan 28) |
| February | Can Do Challenge (All month) |
| March | Swim Meet Prep & Clinics (All month) Bay Area Senior Games (Mar 24) |
| April | Short and Sweet meet (Apr 14) |
| May | 10 x 10 Versatility Challenge (All month) |
| June | Lake Berryessa Open Water swims (Jun 1) |
| July | 2500 Sprint Challenge (All month) |
| August | Donner Lake Open Water Swim (Aug 10, Reg Jun 5 9am) Long Course Nationals, Mission Viejo (Aug 21-25) |
| September | La Jolla 10 x 1 Mile Relay, San Diego (Sep 29) |
| October | Killer Quad 1 – Halloween — Lite, Half-hour swim (Oct 30, all workouts) — Classic, 1-hour swim (Oct 31, all workouts) |
| November | Killer Quad 2 – Thanksgiving — Lite, 25 x 100 (Nov 27, 6 am & noon*) — Classic, 50 x 100 (Nov 30 & Dec 1, 6 am) * If you need more than 1 hour, please come at 6 am. |
| December | (Tent.) SPMS SCM Champs in Long Beach (Dec 6-8) Killer Quad 3 – Christmas — Lite, 37.5 x 100 (Dec 23, 6 am) — Classic, 75 x 100 (Dec 24, 6 am) Killer Quad 4 – New Years — Lite, 50 x 100 (Dec 30, 6 am) — Classic, 100 x 100 (Dec 31, 6 am) |
Plus our Year-Rounder Challenge – swim 10,000 yards in one day each month during the year. You can swim multiple swims, as long as you complete the 10,000 on a single calendar day. Grab some lanemates and swim together to make the yards pass right by!
To promote participation in selected racing events, starting in 2022 we established the Menlo Masters Racing Club. Team members that participate in one of the formal swim meets or open water swims selected as team events in a given year, become members of the Racing Club and are awarded a swim cap and t-shirt each year that they qualify.
Masters Clinics
Register for a Masters Clinic Today!
The following clinics will be hosted at Burgess Pool over the next few months. Space is limited, so register for them now!
| May 12 | 11:30am – 1:00pm | Breaststroke | Intermediate Level: (2:00-3:00) – 100 yard pace |
| June 16 | 11:30am – 1:00pm | Butterfly | Intermediate Level: can hold legal stroke for 25 yards |
| June 30 | 11:30am – 1:00pm | Freestyle | Advanced Level: (1:00-1:20) – 100 yard pace |
Clinic Details
Each clinic will have a max of 6 swimmers. Additional clinics may be added from 1:15pm – 2:45pm if demand is met.
- If only 1 swimmer signs up, the clinic will be 45 minutes
- If 2 swimmers sign up, the clinic will be 60 minutes
- If 3 or more swimmers sign up, the clinic fill be 90 minutes
Price
$45 per clinic
Register for a Masters Clinic Today!
2022 Results from Team Events
June – Lake Berryessa Open Water Swims
June 4, we had a great turnout for the Lake Berryessa open water swims. An even dozen represented Menlo Masters in one or both of the 1-mile and 2-mile swims. The team swam a combined 27 miles – 3 swam the 2-mile race: Barbara Breen, Bob Crockett and Scott Kaloust; 3 swam the 1-mile race: Jean Gillon, Louise Feeley and Romer Rosales-Delmoral; and 6 swam both distances: Allan Anderson, Daniela Barnea (in 75-79 age group, recently joined us from Stanford Masters), Harlan Pinto, James Raybould, Janet Renner and Stephanie Couch. Everyone swam well, and had a great time – with pictures to prove it! Congratulations, everyone!
With two of six Menlo Masters Racing Club events completed so far, we have 22 members in the Racing Club.
May – Consistency Challenge
In May, we held the May Consistency Challenge, an experimental evolution of our past 30-30-30 challenge. We are happy to report it was a resounding success! 32 team members met (or surpassed) the challenge. The challenge was to swim at least 5 days each week – 30-minute swims the first week, 40-minute swims the second week, then 50-minute and 60-minute swims the last 2 weeks, respectively.
Congratulations to all our finishers:
Abby Bergman (swam every day!), Alix Gallagher, Ann Heike, Anna Lippi, Benjamin Beeker, Bob Henig, Clara Dye, Colin Quinton, Dana Hayse, Elizabeth Watson-Semmens, Emily Landes, Jade Smith, Jean Gillon, Jeanette Lee, Jeff Child, Jen Revelli, Joan Caldwell, Julie Davis, Justin Smith, Lanshin Yang, Lori Chung, Lorie Sinnott, Louise Feeley, Lucey Bowen, Margaret Cumming, Nancy Lewis, Peri Soyugenc, Romer Rosales-Delmoral, Sandy Bardas, Stephane Mouradian, Tasha Capen, Terri Jollymour.
April – Pacific Masters Short Course Yards Championships
April 1-3 in Morgan Hill, 17 Menlo Masters swimmers represented our team. Bob Anderson, Stephanie Couch and Romer Rosales-Delmoral swam events all three days (long ones!), but most of our team members were there for just one of the three days. With Coach Tim’s race and technique advice before and after our swims, the team had a great meet. A few notable accomplishments to highlight:
- Bob Anderson scored the most individual points for our team, placing in the top 3 in his age group for many of his events.
- Romer Rosales-Delmoral was swimming in only his second meet in the last 20 years. He score the the second most individual points for our team. He won the 1000 free for his age group and placed second in two other events – top 5 finishes in all his races.
- Abby Bergman took first place in her age group for both her events. She edged out a 23-year old team record to set a new standard in the 400 IM. She also swam with Janet Renner, Michele Santilhano and Stephanie Couch to win the 800 free relay in the 25+ age group.
- Stephanie Couch had the highest point total for the women on our team. She swam all of the meet’s longest swims, and still managed to drop 1.3 seconds off her 400 IM team record set just last month, and take second in the 1000 free – the last swim of the 3-day meet.
- Rebecca Pinto came to the meet to swim just one relay with Louise Feeley, Stephanie Couch and Tasha Capen to round out a Women’s 55+ 200 freestyle relay. In addition to having great fun as a foursome in the event, the team finished first in their age group!
- Nick Bott focused his energy on just one event – the 200 fly. He finished in an incredible 1:56.25, winning his age group and turning in the fastest 200 fly of any age in the meet. He set a new Menlo Masters record as well.
- New team records were also set by Jean Gillon in the 200 Back, Janet Renner in the 1650 free and 400 IM, Jana Matena in the 500 free, Coach Rachel in the 50 back and John Sulzbach in the 200 IM.
- Chris Cocca won the 1000 free for his age group.
- Alix Gallagher placed top three in almost all of her events.
- Kyle Leimkuhler turned in impressive relay splits in the 400 free relay and the 400 medley relay in which he did the 100 fly, along with very strong performances in his individual events.
Most important, our swimmers had a chance to catch up, support one another and enjoy swimming together over the weekend. Congratulations to all our SCY champs swimmers, and thank you to the coaches for preparing us and to Tim for being there for us!
February – Can Do
41 swimmers met or passed the 50,000 yard mark, 8 met or passed the 100,000 yard mark. Over 90 team members posted yards for February, totaling over 4.3 million yards! Our donations for the Menlo Park Senior Center lunch program (1 food item for every 2000 yards swum in February) piled high at over 2000 items. See the Can Do results page for more details.
January – Swimmers of the Year and 2021 Killer Quad Finishers
At our annual Swimmer of the Year celebration, we were introduced to our newest Swimmers of the Year, Margaret Cumming and John Collin. We enjoyed a larger-than-usual Sunday morning workout group then had breakfast and made-to-order hot drinks from the event barista who valiantly handled our vast post-workout demand for warm wake-up beverages. Those who completed the 2021 Killer Quad were given their team challenge completion award – embroidered towels.
Menlo Masters Team Records
We keep records of the fastest time swum by a Menlo Masters swimmer at a swim meet – all 18 individual events and the standard relays for Short Course Yards, Long Course Meters and Short Course Meters. These swims must be logged in the USMS database as part of the official meet results. Check our team’s amazing swims via the links below!
[Note: Files for individual records will print on 8.5 x 14 paper. Relay records print on 8.5 x 11 paper.]
Short Course Yards
(updated with swims as of mid-Jan 2024)
Short Course Yards Men’s records
Short Course Yards Women’s records
Short Course Yards Relay records
Long Course Meters
(updated with swims as of mid-Jan 2024)
Long Course Meters Men’s records
Long Course Meters Women’s records
Long Course Meters Relay records
Short Course Meters
(updated with swims as of mid-Jan 2024)
Short Course Meters Men’s records
Short Course Meters Women’s records
Short Course Meters Relay records
Swimmers of the Year
Every year, Menlo Masters presents a Swimmer of the Year award to two exceptional individuals on the team. They are chosen for their personal, behavioral characteristics as well as for their athletic achievements and team contributions.
While many team members may be worthy of this award each year, these athletes are singled out because of the way they elevated themselves in achieving ordinary to outstanding results during that year. And more importantly, they have improved our already thriving team culture by their actions and demeanor.
In the end, our team would just not be as successful without the involvement of these individuals. Congratulations to our winners!
2023: Abby Bergman and Mike Fero
2022: Jean Gillon and Mike Dorsey
2021: Margaret Cumming and John Collin
2020: Cami Johnson and Keith Wilson
2019: Meredith Rohr and Stephane Mouradian
2018: Nancy Prouty and David Crankshaw
2017: Anna Lippi and Andy Chan
2016: Stacy Fredericksen and Scott Kaloust
2015: Stephanie Couch and Matt Messmer
2014: Louise Feeley and Brett Bannan
2013: Barbara Breen and Harlan Pinto
2012: Marianne Brems and Kent Stietzel
2011: Judith Schwartz and Dave Gildea
2010: Barbara Jones and Carl Mortensen
2009: Miki Armstrong and Bill Dawson
2008: Sandy Dutro and John Sulzbach
2007: Sue McGlennon and John Goldman
2006: Lisa Sheeper and Murray McLachlan
2005: Juliette Applewhite and Peter Shepherd
2004: Jana Matena and Phil Arcuni
2003: Tasha Capen and Jim Kemp
2002: Ann Kay and Al Humphrey
2001: Frances Reneau and Scott Marshall
2000: Whitney Wood and Dave Quincy
1999: Rebecca Pinto and Dick Bennett
1998: Jane Burks and Sherman Hall
1997: Judy Strauss and Ed Owen
1996: Ginny Langmuir and Rick Peterson
1995: Gail Roper and Brian Kohlmeier
Remembering Teammates
Tim Sheeper / Founder and Head Coach
I am fortunate to have the privilege of being the coach of such a wonderful group of people known as the Menlo Masters. What has allowed me to keep busy at the “coaching craft” for nearly 3 decades is the quality individuals who I am fortunate to interact with on a daily basis. Our Menlo Masters care deeply about their well being as evidenced by their dedication to swimming and they also care deeply about their fellow team members whom they share a great deal of time with in their swimming immersion.
Strong bonds and relationships are built between swimmers and these ties can be everlasting. We cherish each other and value these friendships.
We always keep in mind the teammates who have left our world and we choose to honor them every Memorial Day with a dedicated team workout.
Menlo Masters Social
Keep in touch with team members about team events and other happenings team members may be attending.
General Topic Team Google Group
Open Water Team Google Group
Swim Meet Team Google Group
Menlo Masters Linked In Group
Menlo Masters Facebook Page (private group)
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