Melissa Stockwell
Baghdad to Beijing and Beyond
by Laura Jones

Meet USMS member Melissa Stockwell: Iraq war vet, amputee, Paralympian and world champion. Staff writer Laura Jones profile this amazing athlete who nearly lost her life to a roadside bomb in Iraq, came home to become a world champion paratriathlete and has managed to transform her experiences into a career and a way to serve others.

Heart Attacks in Open Water
Maturity is the key to minimizing the risk

Phil Whitten reviews the evidence and research related to sudden deaths in big water, but although sources indicate a significant possibility of heart attacks, swimmers can minimize their risks with adequate preparation and precautions that include medical check-ups, adequate warm-ups, hydration, and sensible starting strategies.

Faster, Farther, Colder, First
The Arms Race in Marathon Swimming
by Elaine Howley

Swimming the English Channel is an impressive feat, so too the Catalina Channel or around Manhattan-any of these would be a feather in a swimmer's cap. But all three? How about adding four more? Triple Crown swimmer and contributing writer Elaine K. Howley looks at the serial swim addiction sweeping the open water community.

From the Editor

Family by Laura Hamel

Letters

The Mysterious World of Competitive Swimming by Norman Macartney

Praise for Technique Feature by Dennis Gimlin

Not Breathless by Edward Nessel

Chlorine and Skin by Barney Heller, Joseph Schamp

More YMCA History by Conrad Von Blankenburg

Don't Like the Redesign by Kirsten Berger

Both Sides of the Lane Line

Media Matters by Scott Zornig

It's All Good by Mike Lewis

Swimming Life

Conquering the North Channel by Laura Jones

Swimming Wild In Alaska by Laura Jones

Recently Read: Open Water Swimming by Laura Hamel

Training & Technique

10 Open Water Woes (And How to Fix Them) by Amy Reinink

From The Center Lanes: Suzanne Heim-Bowen by Laura Jones

The Dryland Difference: Dance with the Water by Laura Jones

Ask the Coach: Scott Williams by Laura Jones

The Healthy Swimmer

The Beat Goes On by Laura Jones

Mastering Nutrition   by Laura Jones

Nationals Preview

Summer Nationals in a Truly Olympic Venue by Susan Dawson-Cook read>>

Swim Bag

Open Water Gear read>>

Inside USMS

Volunteer Profile: Jerry Clark

Splashback

Marathon Swimming in the Olympics