SSC has new president

The board of directors of the Saipan Swim Club recently elected a new president in Emma Lou Perez, a Masters swimmer who has already implemented two new programs for SSC’s adult swimmers.

Perez comes to the SSC from San Francisco, California, where she was very active in both pool and open water communities before moving to Saipan last November. She was both a member of Pacific Masters, swimming on the University of San Francisco team, and the San Francisco Dolphin Club, an open water swimming and boating club where she swam year round in the frigid waters off San Francisco.

The new SSC head successfully completed two English Channel relays—as a member of an all-Chamorro team and as a member of a Dolphin Club team made up of swimmers over 50 years of age. She served as swim commissioner for the Dolphin Club, organizing and running club swims in San Francisco Bay, and is an experienced trainer for English Channel solos. In addition to her new role as president and assistant coach with SSC, Perez is a certified lifeguard and teaches swimming to local adults. She is also an officer of 500 Sails, Inc., a CNMI non-profit group that promotes traditional proa building and sailing in the Marianas.

Before becoming the club president, Perez has already introduced two programs for SSC Masters members. The first one was the Polar Bear Swim held this past winter and mimicking the Dolphin Club’s program that takes place in the frigid San Francisco Bay, as well as the upcoming Summer Fun Open Water series of lagoon swims based from Pau Pau Beach.

Perez will be replacing Robert Torres as SSC president when the club starts its new season later this year.

“In welcoming Emma Perez, SSC would like to recognize our outgoing president Robert Torres. SSC would not be where we are today if it were not for the dedication and selfless contributions made by you and your family. Thank you for the countless hours you dedicated to the team and the leadership and stability to provided SSC,” SSC head coach Jacoby Winkfield said in a press release.

Perez

Open water series
Meanwhile, SSC will kick of its open water series wins this Sunday at Paupau Beach.

Registration runs from 7am to 7:30am. Fins, buoys, snorkels, and wetsuits are welcome, while a few kayakers/paddlers will be on the course to assist and guide swimmers.

Interested participants can join either the 1.5K or the 3.5K course. The shorter course is from the “rock” to the northern point and back to the starting line, while the 3.5K course is the “triangle” going from the rock to the northern point, then swimming with the current to the southern point beyond The Palms (but before Aqua Resort Club) and back to the starting area.

The open water series is a Masters event, but SSC youth swimmers can still join, provided they get permission from coach Jacoby Winkfield. The event is free for SSC members and certified lifeguards with proof of certification, while others must pay $5 to join the swim.

For more information, contact Suzy Kindel at suzykindel@yahoo.com.