Applegate Lake Swim Series 2019

The Rogue Valley Masters are alive and well! In fact, so well, they won the small team state 1500m championship. RVM hosted the glorious Applegate Swim Series July 13-14. The open water 2.5k, 5k, 10k, 1500m, and pursuit relays allowed swimmers at many levels to participate. Todd Lantry was the Race Director, and his wife, Celeste Marokus was Safety Director. Add Bob Bruce giving his famous safety talk and Jocelyn Sanford handling campers and organizing, and the weekend was top-notch.

All open water races in Oregon are well-run, and Rogue Valley Masters added their own spices. Jocelyn wrote campers’ names on the asphalt at Hart-Tish; I admit I felt ever-so-famous. Tent campers were guided to their sites with colored chalk messages, too. Lunches were hearty meals of teriyaki chicken, pulled pork, salads, rolls, and rice catered by Auntie Carol’s Hawaiian Cafe and Catering. Seconds and thirds were encouraged! Todd announced all swimmers’ times, honoring each swimmer. Winners of the 10k were awarded a pottery piece from Frank Philipps, a generous award donor for many years. John Weston Woodworking donated cutting boards to other distance winners. Age group winners received wine glasses. Jocelyn gave each final swimmer in the races a copy of Blue Mind, by Wallace J. Nichols. But wait… The beer truck arrived both days, and I enjoyed a pineapple cider.

The word is out: Applegate is a relaxed, fun, safe place to swim, with wonderful hosts and hostesses, and noteworthy “extras.” Did I mention the hillside viewing of races and the 74 degree water? Life is Good in Southern Oregon.