As a team we were three. Dan Smith, Kareena King and Doug Parrish, representing all three divisions. The "Sprinter's Choice" division, 50m of each stroke plus a 100m IM. The "Middle Masters" Division, 100m of each stroke plus a 200m IM; and the "Animal" Division, 200m of each stroke plus a 400 IM. In order it was Doug, Kareena, and the Animal Dan.  The meet was very well attended, with many Canadian swimmers and Navy team swimmers from the nearby Naval Station.

 

    How it worked was that all of your times, as individuals, were added together to get a total, and whomever had the lowest time was the winner. As a team, we had the opportunity to score 300 points and scored 279.  Dan the animal won in his age group. 100 points, Kareena did the same in her age group, 100 points. They both got first in their division and age group. I got 79 points and took 3rd in my division and age group.  We did great!

 

    We gave each other lots of support during the races. Some of us had never competed in some of the races we were in so it was, at times, nerve wracking and intense.  One of the moments I will remember the most is when I was doing the 100IM. I was getting ready to turn from the breast stroke to the freestyle and all I could hear was "go Doug"  I looked up and saw Dan, Kareena, and a bunch of other people that I had either met there or just people that want to cheer me on. It was great. Although the swim pretty much sucked and I lucked out because of a generous judge, I finished. With a great bunch of people, we all wondered our way. Tired, hungry, wanting to go home.

 

This is a very fun meet to swim, and you really feel in the same "boat" with everyone else.  The atmosphere is supportive, and though farther away, the drive is very scenic and worth the trip.  It is definitely a meet you should all plan on attending next year.