Terminal City Times
News and updates from Terminal City Club, Vancouver's premier private clubArchive for fitness centre
Terminal City Club Masters Swim Program to be Coached by Canadian National Team Swimmer Scott Dickens
IN MID-OCTOBER
The Pool at Terminal City Club, Vancouver, BC
Swimming is a great form of aerobic activity and there’s no better place to polish your technique than the pool at Terminal City Club’s Fitness Centre. The Club’s Master’s Swim Program provides a great opportunityto improve swimming technique and fitness and we are pleased to announce the participation of Canadian National Team member Scott Dickens.
Scott has been a member of the Canadian National Swim Team since 2003 and will be competing for Canada in this year’s Commonwealth Games. He is the Canadian record holder for multiple events and among other world championships, has competed in the World Aquatic Championship, Pan American Games, and 2004 Summer Olympics. His expertise in both competition and coaching will benefit all levels of swimming.
Restarting in mid-October, the program will run biweekly Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:15 to 8:15 am. For more information or to register for the Master Swim Program, please contact the Terminal City Club Fitness Centre Front Desk at 604.488.8622.
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ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ – SPECIAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Four TCC Members Prevail Over The Rock
by Shane Collins
There we were. More than 500 poor, deluded criminals (read athletes) about to be sent on a one way trip to Alcatraz Island, one and a half miles and a world away from San Francisco. Among the motley group were four members of Terminal City Club. They had been arrested, and sentenced to do time on Alcatraz for the crime of being Canadians in possession of swim goggles! Debbie ”Doc” Collins, Todd “Mr Money” Kennelly, Darren “Numbers” Gibson and myself, along with the rest of the “guilty” souls were herded on to The Hornblower Ferry and pulled away from Pier Three dock for the short and lonely ride to the infamous Alcatraz Prison. When the vessel had docked and the guards’ attention was diverted elsewhere, the four of us, joined by the rest of the “prisoners” decided to make a break for it; we jumped from the boat and began to swim back to the Mainland.
Of the 500 plus swimmers that made the escape attempt, more than 150 were dragged from the frigid water (a chilling 14.5 Celsius) suffering from exhaustion and hypothermia, but the rest made it safely to shore. As a result of their courageous efforts, the convicts (aka swimmers) were awarded a pardon by the State Governor (actually the Race Director) and celebrations were held to recognize the “survivors”.
All joking aside, we had a terrific time taking part in this historic race which all four Terminal City Club members finished, placing well in their respective categories.
Anyone with an interest in swimming should strongly consider setting the Alcatraz swim as a challenge for 2011. Terminal City Club’s Masters Swim Team is starting its new season this month making this an excellent time to begin sharpening your skills. Swimming in pools instead of the ocean is akin to competing on a track as opposed to running on trails.
If you doubt your abilities, just remember this quote of the Swahili Warriors of East Africa – “Life has meaning only in the struggle…Victory and defeat are in the hands of the Gods…So, let us celebrate the struggle!”
See you on the pool deck.
~ Shane Collins
Footnote: Shane Collins is a Marathon swimmer and was the first athlete from BC to swim solo across The English Channel (1995). He and wife Debbie (Doc) became the first Canadians to swim from Spain to Africa, crossing The Strait of Gibraltar in 2007.
MASTER’S SWIM PROGRAM
WITH SCOTT DICKENS
Restarting in mid-September, the Club’s Master’s Swim Program is a great way to improve swimming technique and fitness. Classes will be lead by Canadian National Team member Scott Dickens biweekly Tuesday & Thursday mornings from 7:15 to 8:15 AM. For more information, enquire at the Fitness Centre front desk.
Spotlight on Pool Safety
Swimming Pool at the Terminal City Club Fitness Centre.
Members and hotel guests are reminded that Terminal City Club’s Fitness Centre does not have a lifeguard on duty and that parents or guardians are solely responsible for the safety and wellbeing of their children. Please ensure that your children behave in a suitable manner poolside – running, jumping, and splashing are not permitted. As well, the north side (window side) of the pool is reserved for lap swimming and swim lessons.
Age Guidelines
While all persons under the age of 19 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is either a club member or registered guest, the following guidelines should also be taken into consideration –
Ages 12 – 15 years
Parent or guardian must accompany youth in pool areas at all times.
Ages 5- 11 years
Parents or guardians must be in the pool with the child at all times. No exceptions.
Ages 4 years and younger
Children must wear a swim diaper and parents or guardians must be in the pool with the child at all times. No exceptions.
Please note that children 6 years of age and under should not use the whirlpool as their bodies cannot regulate high temperatures.
Adult Swim Times
For the enjoyment and wellbeing of all members and guests, access to the swimming pool area is restricted to adults only during the following swim times:
Monday to Friday – 7 am – 9 am & 4 pm – 6 pm
Weekends & Holidays – 8 am – 10 am
New Strength Equipment
The Fitness Centre’s new strength equipment has arrived!
Installed on February 11, the Keiser Pneumatic and three of the Cybex machines have been replaced with LifeFitness equipment, creating more training space in the process. The new equipment includes:
- Two Dual Adjustable Cable Column
- Half Rack for Squat & Bench Press Abdominal Curl
- Rear Delt & Pec Deck
- Preacher Curl Unit
- Olympic Free Weight Set
- additional small dumbbells
Please do not hesitate to ask Fitness Centre staff if you have any questions regarding the functions or use of our newest equipment.
To book lessons or learn more about upcoming programs, please contact the Fitness Centre at 604.488.8622 or email tccfitness@tcclub.com.
Exercise of the Month
Jackie Collins, BHK, Certified Exercise Physiologist, CitaHealth
Single Leg BOSU Squat
Legs, along with core, are the foundation for functional strength. Muscles achieve proper function with exercises that simulate the body’s basic movement patterns including squats, bends, and lunges, as well as push/pull and twisting movements.
It is important to develop and maintain leg strength in to ensure proper frequency and stride while running, build power, and increase muscle growth throughout the body (through the release of hormones.)
Before completing the exercise below, make sure you are confident with the basic squat on the floor and on the BOSU with two legs.
Single Leg BOSU Squat
Focus: quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, core stabilizers
Stand upright on one leg in a “centered” position on the dome side of the Bosu, your arms bent at 90 degrees at your side, and a soft bend in your knees (Fig.1).
Keep your shoulders depressed to stabilize yourself and slowly start to bend your knee lowering yourself down (Fig.2), pause in the lowered position, and then push your foot into the Bosu and start to straighten your leg and return to the start position. Complete the desired number of repetitions and repeat on your other leg.
To increase the difficulty of this exercise, add a medicine ball for more resistance.(Fig 3)
Considerations and Contraindications:
- Keep your knee and hip in line throughout the single leg squat.
- Do not let your knee go over your toes as you squat down.
- Keep your back straight and head in line with your spine.
Mmm…Massage!
Benefit plans are almost at their year end, making it a great time to take advantage of your allotment of massage therapy! Massage, hot stone massage, and reflexology are all available by appointment in the Fitness Centre from 8 am to 8 pm daily ( 8 am to 6 pm on Holidays.) 2 hours minimum notice required for all bookings. Gift Certificates are available. Contact the Fitness Centre at 604.488.8622 for details.
Squash League Update
The squash season has begun! If you are interested in playing for Terminal City Club in Division 5, 7, or 8, please contact Sergio in the Fitness Centre at 604.488.8239 or email tccfitness@tcclub.com. Squash courts have been reserved for league matches every Monday evening and alternate Tuesdays from 6:15 pm on. Please call the Fitness Centre at 604.488.8622 to book your courts.
Terminal City Times 